Heavenly Secrets (Arcana Coelestia), Vol. XII

CHAPTER XXIX. VERSES 1–3

From these and other passages, it is clear that the Divine Truth emanating from the Lord is "the Word." In the supreme sense In Swedenborg’s theology, the "supreme sense" refers to the deepest layer of spiritual meaning in scripture, which relates directly to the Lord’s own nature., the Lord is the Word in the form of Divine Truth. This is why it is written that "the name of Him who sat on the white horse is the Word of God," and that "He is King of kings and Lord of lords." Because "the Word" signifies Divine Truth, it is said that "He was clothed in a garment dipped in blood" original Latin: "vestimentum tinctum sanguine". In this context, a garment symbolizes truth Refer to section 9952 of this work, and blood symbolizes truth that originates from goodness For a more detailed explanation, see sections 2760–2762.

Consequently, all truth that originates from the Divine is called "the word," as seen in the book of Joel:

Jehovah uttered His voice before His army; for His camp is very great, for countless is he that doeth His word (ii. 11);

In this passage, the "voice which Jehovah utters" signifies truth coming from the Divine Refer to section 9926, while the "camp of Jehovah" represents heaven Refer to sections 4236, 8193, and 8196. From this, it is evident that "countless is he that doeth His word" refers to those who live according to Divine Truth. Similarly, in the Gospel of Matthew:

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and heedeth it not, the evil one cometh and snatcheth away that which was sown in his heart. He that was sown upon stony places, is he that heareth the word and straightway with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root. He that was sown among thorns, is he that heareth the word, but the care of the age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word. He that was sown in good ground, is he that heareth the word and payeth attention, and from this bringeth forth fruit (xiii. 19–23);

It is clear without further explanation that "the word" here signifies Divine Truth. It is specifically called "the word of the kingdom" because it is the truth of heaven and the church; in this context, "the kingdom" refers to heaven and the church together.

From this, we can see that "words" denote Divine Truths that come from the Lord, as stated in the Gospel of John:

The words that I speak unto you, are spirit and are life (vi. 63).

Because of this, the commandments of the decalogue The Ten Commandments are also called the "ten words" (Exodus xxxiv. 28). The reason "the word" signifies a law of orderThe fundamental structure of reality in the spiritual world, where Divine Truth acts as the governing law. is that the Divine Truth proceeding from the Lord creates order in the heavens; indeed, it is the order there. Therefore, the laws of heavenly order are identical to Divine Truths See sections 1728, 1919, 2258, 2447, 4839, 5703, 7995, 8513, 8700, and 8988. The law of order signified by "word" in this chapter—