The Word of the Lord

 


XII. The Sacred Scripture or the Word of the Lord 
(Divine truth itself, containing heaven and the church in fullness)

1. Doctrinal Core
The Sacred Scripture (the Word) is Divine truth itself, proceeding from the Lord, and therefore the Lord is present in the Word and speaks through it. The Word is written in such a way that it contains three distinct senses simultaneously - natural, spiritual, and celestial - so that it may serve humankind, angels, and heaven at once.
True doctrine teaches that:

  • the Word is holy and powerful in its literal sense,
  • a spiritual sense exists within every part of it,
  • doctrine must be drawn from the sense of the letter,
  • conjunction with the Lord and with heaven is effected through the Word,
  • and the church is such as its understanding of the Word is.

2. The Literal Message of the Word
True doctrine teaches:

  • The Bible is not just a religious book - it is Divine truth.
  • God is present in it and speaks through it.
  • It has deeper meanings inside the surface meaning.
  • The literal meaning is essential and must not be bypassed.
  • People connect with God by reading, understanding, and living according to it.

In short:
The Word is how God teaches, guides, and connects with both heaven and humanity.

3. Spiritual Message of the Word
Spiritually, true doctrine reveals that:

  • the Word exists in heaven as spiritual and celestial truth,
  • angels perceive its inner meanings directly,
  • and the literal sense on earth is the foundation that supports heaven itself.

The Word functions as:

  • a bridge between heaven and earth,
  • a vessel containing Divine wisdom,
  • and a means by which Divine love is communicated.

Because the Lord fulfilled the Word in the world, He became the Word made flesh, making Scripture a living Divine presence rather than a static text.

4. Psychological Meaning

Psychologically, the Word operates as:

  • a mirror revealing inner states,
  • a framework for ordering thought and life,
  • and a corrective against self-deception.

The literal sense engages:

  • reason,
  • memory,
  • conscience.

The inner sense gradually reshapes:

  • motives,
  • values,
  • and affections.

When the Word is separated from life, it becomes information.
When united with life, it becomes transformation.

5. Regenerative Process
(What changes in a person over time)
In regeneration, the Word works by:

  • Putting off:
    • selective reading that confirms self-love,
    • spiritual shortcuts that bypass obedience,
    • misuse of correspondences to justify falsity.
  • Putting on:
    • reverence for the literal sense,
    • willingness to be corrected,
    • love of truth for the sake of life.

This process is gradual because:

  • truths must be learned in order,
  • evils resist exposure,
  • and genuine understanding comes through practice.

The Word reforms first the understanding, then the will.

6. Daily Life Application
(How true doctrine lives in practice)
In daily life, true doctrine calls a person to:

  • read the Word regularly and attentively,
  • apply truths before seeking deeper meanings,
  • resist twisting Scripture to fit desires,
  • and allow Scripture to shape decisions and conduct.

It encourages:

  • humility in interpretation,
  • patience in learning,
  • and consistency between belief and action.

7. Common Misunderstandings Corrected
(What true doctrine is NOT saying)
Being a Christian does not mean:

  • that the literal sense is unimportant,
  • that private interpretation is supreme,
  • that doctrine can be drawn from inner sense alone,
  • or that Scripture is merely symbolic or historical.

It explicitly rejects:

  • mystical disregard for the letter,
  • proof-texting to confirm heresy,
  • and separation of Scripture from life.

8. Doctrinal Connections
True doctrine governs:

  • The Lord - present as Divine truth
  • The Holy Spirit - operation through the Word
  • Faith - formed from truths of Scripture
  • Charity - directed and purified by Scripture
  • Doctrine - drawn from the literal sense
  • The Church - defined by understanding of the Word

Without true doctrine, revelation collapses into opinion.

9. In Short:
The Sacred Scripture is Divine truth itself, containing heaven and the church within it. Through its literal sense and inner meanings, the Lord is present, teaches truth, reforms the mind, and conjoins people with heaven. The church lives or dies according to how the Word is understood and lived. This section marks the transition from revelation to life according to revelation in the following sections.




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