was the Lord who chose and ordered
and it was from His mouth, using
subject spirits and angels as means.
Concerning
the
Writings
Swedenborg states: “When I think of
what I am about to write, and while
I am in the act of writing, I enjoy a
complete inspiration; for otherwise it
would be my own; but now I know for
certain that what I write is God’s living
truth.” (Docu. 251:7)
His inspiration is defined in thes e
words: “Inspiration is not dictation,
but is influx from the Divine.” (Arcana
Coelestia 9094:4)
There is a number in the Arcana
that reveals how the Lord inspired
Swedenborg: “There was an influx like
a most gentle and almost imperceptible
stream, the current of which does not
appear, but still leads and draws. This,
which flowed in from the Lord, led in this manner all the series of my thoughts
into the consequent things, and altogether gently [yet] powerfully, so that I
could not wander into other thoughts, which also I was allowed to attempt, but
in vain.” (Arcana Coelestia 6574)
This inspiration extended even into the single words Swedenborg used.
(Spiritual Diary 2270)
Thus, for instance, with the Arcana itself, Swedenborg had the letter
of the Word open before him. He had studied and been instructed in its
correspondences for years. Then, as he was preparing actually to write the
Arcana, the Lord, by directing influx, chose what was to be written down.
Swedenborg did not choose; the Lord did.
He experienced an internal dictation that was absolute; and as he testifies,
he was only an instrument. What is marvelous is how the Lord prepared
Swedenborg so that he could be a perfect instrument. Beautifully and
interiorly, he was the scribe of the Lord his Maker. “For He whom God hath
sent speaketh the words of God; for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto
him.” (John 3:34)
Before us stand the Writings in their beauty, in their Divinity. The final
Word is the Lord’s, even as is the Old Testament and the New Testament. We
rejoice because the “Spirit of Truth” has come, to lead is into “all truth.” In
Concerning the Writings
Swedenborg states:
“When I think of what
I am about to write,
and while I am in the
act of writing, I enjoy
a complete inspiration;
for otherwise it would
be my own; but now
I know for certain
that what I write is
God’s living truth.”
299