Selection from Divine Providence ~ Emanuel Swedenborg
THE OPERATION OF THE LORD'S DIVINE PROVIDENCE IN CONJOINING MAN WITH THE LORD, AND THE LORD WITH MAN.This operation is not upon any particular of man by itself, except as it is simultaneously upon all things of man; and this is done from his inmost and from his outmosts simultaneously.
- • The inmost of man is his life's love
- • his outmosts are the things that are in the external of his thought
- • his intermediates are the things that are in the internal of his thought.
WHEN A HEAVENLY LIFE'S LOVE HAS BEEN IMPLANTED BY THE LORD
When a heavenly life's love has been implanted by the Lord in place of an infernal life's love, affections for good and truth are implanted in place of the lusts of evil and falsity; and the enjoyments of affections for good are implanted in place of the enjoyments of the lusts of evil and falsity; and the goods of heavenly love are implanted in place of the evils of infernal love. Then prudence is implanted in place of cunning, and wise thoughts in place of crafty thoughts. Thus man is born again and becomes a new man.It has been shown above from the exhortations read in all Christian churches before the Holy Communion that the common religion of the whole Christian world teaches that -
- • man must examine himself
- • see his sins
- • acknowledge them
- • confess them before God
- • refrain from them
This can be seen also from THE FAITH THAT TAKES ITS NAME FROM ATHANASIUS, and that has been accepted in the whole Christian world: at the end of which are these words:-
The Lord will come to judge the living and dead; at whose coming those that have done good shall enter into life eternal, and those that have done evil into eternal fire.Who does not know from the Word that a life after death is allotted to every one according to his deeds? Open the Word, read it, and you will see this clearly; but while doing this, exclude from your thoughts faith and justification by it alone. As evidence that the Lord teaches this everywhere in His Word, take these few examples:-
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them (Matt. 7:19, 20)
Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, have we not prophesied by Thy name, and in Thy name done many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I do not know you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity (Matt. 7:22, 23)
Every one that heareth My words and doeth them, I will liken him to a prudent man who built his house upon a rock; and every one that heareth these sayings of Mine and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man who built his house upon the ground without a foundation (Matt. 7:24, 26; Luke 6:46-49).
The Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father, and then He shall render unto every man according to his deeds (Matt. 16:27).
The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof (Matt. 21:43).
Jesus said, My mother and My brethren are these who hear the Word of God and do it (Luke 8:21).
Then shall ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open unto us; but He shall answer and say to them, I know ye not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity (Luke 13:25-27).
They that have done good shall go forth unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of judgment (John 5:29).
We know that God heareth not sinners; but if anyone worship God and do His will, him He heareth (John 9:31).
If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them (John 13:17).
He that hath My commandments and doeth them, he it is that loveth Me, and I will love him and will come to him, and make My abode with him (John 14:15, 21-24)
Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. I have chosen you that ye may bring forth fruit, and that your fruit may abide (John 15:14, 16).
The Lord said to John, To the angel of the Ephesian church write, I know thy works; I have against thee that thou hast left thy first charity. Repent, and do the first works; if not I will remove thy lampstand out of its place (Rev. 2:1, 2, 4, 5).
To the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write, I know thy works (Rev. 2:8, 9).
To the angel of the church at Pergamum write, I know thy works, repent (Rev. 2:12, 13, 16).
To the angel of the church in Thyatira write, I know thy works and charity, and thy last works to be more than the first (Rev. 2:18, 19).
To the angel of the church in Sardis write, I know thy works, that thou hast a name and that thou livest, and art dead. I have not found thy works perfect before God; repent (Rev. 3:1-3).
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, I know thy works (Rev. 3:7, 8).
To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, I know thy works; repent (Rev. 3:14, 15, 19).
I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth; their works do follow them (Rev. 14:13).
A book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged, all according to their works (Rev. 20:12, 13).
Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give to every man according to his work (Rev. 22:12).Thus far the New Testament.
Still more numerous are the evidences in the Old Testament, from which I will quote this one only:
Stand in the gate of Jehovah, and proclaim there this word, Thus saith Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your doings; trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah are these. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and then come and stand before Me in this house, upon which My name is named, and say, We are delivered, while ye do these abominations? Is this house become a den of robbers? Behold I, even I, have seen it, saith Jehovah (Jer. 7:2-4, 9-11).
(from Divine Providence 125-128)