Heavenly Secrets (Arcana Coelestia), Vol. XII

the inmost immediately, and hence has in it the inmost celestial, which is signified by “oil;” and that which is in the third rank proceeds from the inmost mediately, namely, through that which is in the second rank, and hence has the inmost not so much in it as that which is in the second rank. Therefore as the cakes signify the celestial of the second rank, they are said to be “mixed” with oil; and as the wafers signify the celestial of the third rank, they are said to be “anointed” with oil. But this is difficult of apprehension unless it is known how the case is with the coming forth of things in successive order, which is like end, cause, and effect. The inmost is the end, the middle is the cause, and the ultimate is the effect. The end must be in the cause that it may be the cause of this end, and the cause must be in the effect that it may be the effect of this cause. The end does not appear in the effect as it does in the cause, because the effect is further from the end than is the cause. From this the mind may be enlightened as to how the case is with the inmost, the middle, and the external, in successive order.

9995. Of fine flour of wheat shalt thou make them. That this signifies the truth that is from Divine good, and from which are these things, is evident from the signification of “fine flour,” as being truth (of which below); and from the signification of “wheat,” as being the good of love (see n. 3941), thus in the supreme sense Divine good; and from the signification of “making them,” as being that these celestial goods, which are signified by “bread, cakes, and wafers, of unleavened things,” are from this truth. The case herein is as follows. All the truths and goods that are in the heavens are from the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord’s Divine good. As received by the angels in the celestial kingdom this Divine good is called “celestial good;” but in the spiritual kingdom, as received by the angels there, it is called “spiritual good.” For howsoever the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord’s Divine good is called truth, it is nevertheless good. The reason why it is called truth, is that it appears in the heavens, before the external sight of the angels there, as light; for the light in the heavens is Divine truth. But the heat in this light, which is the good of love, makes it to be good. Similar is the case