XIV

Without the Word no one would have any knowledge of God, of heaven and hell, of a life after death, and still less of the Lord

This follows as a general conclusion from all that has thus far been said and shown; as that

The Word is Divine Truth itself, Nos. 1-4;

The Word is the medium of conjunction with the angels of heaven. Nos. 62-69;

Everywhere in the Word there is the marriage of the Lord and the Church, and consequently the marriage of good and truth, Nos. 80-89;

The nature of the Church is according to its understanding of the Word. Nos. 76-79;

The Word is also in the heavens, and from it the angels derive their wisdom, Nos. 70-75;

Through the Word also the nations and peoples outside the Church derive their spiritual light, Nos. 104-113;

besides much more that might be mentioned.

From these considerations it may be concluded that without the Word no one has spiritual intelligence, which consists in the knowledge of God, of heaven and hell and a life after death; nor has he any knowledge at all of the Lord, of faith and love to Him, and consequently of redemption, although this is the means of salvation. The Lord also says to His disciples:

Without me ye can do nothing. John xv 5;

and John said:

A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. John iii 27.