1672. And the kings that were with him. That this signifies the apparent truth which is of that good, is evident from the signification of “kings” in the Word. “Kings,” “kingdoms,” and “peoples,” in the historical and the prophetical parts of the Word, signify truths and the things which are of truths, as may be abundantly confirmed. In the Word an accurate distinction is made between a “people” and a “nation;” by a “people” are signified truths, and by a “nation” goods, as before shown (n. 1259, 1260). “Kings” are predicated of peoples, but not so much of nations. Before the sons of Israel sought for kings, they were a nation, and represented good, or the celestial; but after they desired a king, and received one, they became a people, and did not represent good or the celestial, but truth or the spiritual; which was the reason why this was imputed to them as a fault (see 1 Samuel 8:7-22, concerning which subject, of the Lord’s Divine mercy elsewhere). As Chedorlaomer is named here, and it is added, “the kings that were with him,” both good and truth are signified; by “Chedorlaomer,” good, and by “the kings,” truth. But what was the quality of the good and truth at the beginning of the Lord’s temptations has already been stated.

4318. THE GRAND MAN AND CORRESPONDENCE - continued

IN THIS SECTION CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE SENSES IN GENERAL

The chief characteristic of angels' intelligence is their knowledge and perception that all life comes from the Lord, also that heaven in its entirety corresponds to His Divine Human and consequently that all angels, spirits, and men correspond to heaven. They also know and perceive in what way they correspond. These are the main characteristics of intelligence which are present in angels far more than in men. From them angels know and perceive countless things which exist in the heavens and consequently things in the world also, since the things which manifest themselves in the world and the natural order there are causes and effects that stem from those things in the heavens as their first beginnings. For the whole natural order is a theatre representative of the Lord's kingdom.