THE NECESSITY FOR AND EXCELLENCE OF THE WORD. Nothing can be known from the light of nature concerning the Lord, heaven and hell, man's life after death, and the Divine truths through which man has spiritual and eternal life, (n. 8944, 10318, 10319, 10320). This can be confirmed from the fact that many persons, men of education among them, do not give credence to these things, although born where the Word is, and by means of it instructed concerning them, (n. 10319). It was therefore necessary that there should be some revelation from heaven, since man was born for heaven, (n. 1775). In every age, therefore, there has been a revelation, (n. 2895). Various forms of revelation have succeeded each other on this earth, (n. 10355, 10632). With the most ancient people, who lived before the flood, and whose time was called the golden age, there was immediate revelation; and for that reason Divine Truth was written on their hearts, (n. 2896). In the Ancient Churches, which existed after the flood, the Word was both historical and prophetical, (n. 2686, 2897); concerning which Churches see THE NEW JERUSALEM AND ITS HEAVENLY DOCTRINE, (n. 247). The historical books of this Word were called The Wars of Jehovah, and the prophetical books, The Enunciations, (n. 2897). That Word was similar to our Word as to inspiration, but adapted to those Churches, (n. 2897). It is mentioned by Moses, (n. 2686, 2897). That Word has been lost, however, (n. 2897). There were also revelations by prophecy with others, as appears from Balaam's prophecies, (n. 2898). The Word is Divine in all and every part, (n. 639, 680, 10321, 10637). As to every tittle and jot, the Word is Divine and holy, from experience, (n. 9349). The manner in which it is explained at this day, that the Word is inspired as to every jot, (n. 1886). The Church exists specifically where the Word is, and where the Lord is known by it and Divine truths revealed, (n. 3857, 10761). But they who are born where the Word is, and where the Lord is thereby known, are not on that account of the Church: they are of the Church who are regenerated by the Lord by means of truths from the Word, who are they who live in accordance with the truths therein, thus they who live a life of love and faith, (n. 6637, 10143, 10153, 10578, 10645, 10829).