The Necessity and Excellency of the Word. Nothing is known from the light (lumen) of nature concerning the Lord, heaven and hell, man's life after death, and the Divine Truths through which a man has spiritual and eternal life, nos. 8944, 10318-10320. This may appear from the fact, that many, and among them men of education, do not believe these things, although they were born where the Word is, and by means of it have been instructed concerning them, no. 10319. Wherefore, it was necessary that there should be some Revelation from heaven because man is born for heaven, no. 1775; and therefore in every age there has been a Revelation, no. 2895. The various kinds of revelation that have been successively on this earth, nos. 10355, 10632. The Most ancient people who lived before the flood, and whose age was called the golden age, had an immediate Revelation, and from it Divine Truth was inscribed on their hearts, no. 2896. In the Ancient Churches, which existed after the flood, there was a Word which was both historical and prophetical, nos. 2686, 2897 (concerning which Churches, see above, no. 247). Its historical parts were called the Wars of Jehovah, and its prophetical parts, Enunciations, no. 2897. That Word was like ours with respect to inspiration, no. 2897. It was mentioned by Moses, nos. 2686, 2897. But that Word has been lost, no. 2897. There were prophetic revelations also among others, as appears from the prophecies of Balaam, no. 2898. The Word is Divine in each and all things, nos. 639, 680, 10321, 10637. The Word is Divine and holy as to each iota and dot, from experience, no. 9349. How it is explained at the present day, that the Word is inspired as to every iota,, no. 1886. The Church specifically is where the Word exists, and where through it the Lord is known, and Divine Truths have been revealed, nos. 3857, 10761. Still those who are born where the Word is, and where the Lord by means of it is known are not on that account of the Church, but those are who through truths from the Word are being regenerated by the Lord; and these are they who live according to the truths therein, and consequently those who lead a life of love and faith, nos. 6637, 10143, 10153, 10578, 10645, 10829.