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Since the Bible is a divine revelation, every single part of it is divine. Anything that comes from the divine could be no other way. Everything that comes from the divine goes down through the heavens all the way to people on earth. In heaven it is adapted to the wisdom of the angels there, and on earth it is adapted to the understanding of the people there. So the Bible has an inner, spiritual meaning for angels and an outer, material-level meaning for people on earth. That is why our connection to heaven happens through the Bible.

Emanuel Swedenborg#7

AngelsDivineBibleHeavenInterpretationRevelationScripture

About this quote

What does it mean?
The Bible is divine throughout, adapted for angels in spirit and people on earth in matter.
In plain terms
Every part of the Bible is divine and speaks differently to angels and to humans.
What can you take from it?
Connect with heaven through the dual meanings of scripture.

Where it applies

  • scripture study
  • theological reflection
  • personal prayer

Putting it to work

  • read spiritually
  • seek deeper meaning
  • connect with heaven

Questions to consider

  • What does the Bible mean to you?
  • How do you connect with the divine?

Another view

Not all religious traditions accept that every word of the Bible is divine.

More from Emanuel Swedenborg

  1. There is one God, in whom there is the Divine Trinity, and he is the Lord Jesus Christ. This can be briefly illustrated in the following way: It is a certain a…

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  2. Some people believe it is hard to lead the heaven-bound life that is called 'spiritual' because they have heard that we need to renounce the world and give up …

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. All in heaven take joy in sharing their delights and blessings with others.

    Permalink to quote #5

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