472. 'On the day in which God created Man' means when he was made spiritual, and 'in the likeness of God He made him' when he was made celestial. This is clear from what has been stated and shown already. Strictly speaking, the expression 'to create' has regard to a person while he is being created anew, or regenerated, whereas 'to make' has regard to when he is being perfected. This is why in the Word a careful distinction is maintained between 'creating', 'forming', and making', as has appeared already in Chapter 2 where, the subject being the spiritual man who became celestial, it is said that 'God rested from all His work which God had created when making it'. The same distinction occurs in other places, where 'creating' has regard to the spiritual man, while 'making', which is perfecting, has regard to the celestial man. See 16, 88.

16. Verse 1. In the beginning God created heaven and earth. The most ancient times of all are called 'the beginning', and are throughout the Prophets referred to as 'days of antiquity' and also 'days of eternity'. 'The beginning' also embodies within it that first Period when a person is being regenerated, for at that time he is being born anew and receiving life. Regeneration itself is therefore called a new creation of man. Almost everywhere in the prophetical sections 'to create', 'to form', and 'to make' mean to regenerate, though each of these verbs has a different shade of meaning, as in Isaiah,

Every one who is called by My name - I have created him for My glory, I have formed him, I have also made him. Isaiah 43:7

This is why the Lord is called Redeemer, One who forms from the womb, Maker, and also Creator, as in the same prophet,

I am Jehovah, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. Isaiah 43:15.

In David,

A people to be created will praise Jah. Psalms 102:18.

In the same author,

You send forth Your Spirit; they are created; and You renewest the face ¹ of the ground. Psalms 104:30.

'Heaven' means the internal man, and 'earth' the external man prior to regeneration. This will be seen further on.

Imibhalo yaphansi: