Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 164
25
Divine Worship in Heaven
221. Divine worship in the heavens is not unlike in externals
Divine worship on the earth, but in internals it is different. In
the heavens, as on the earth, there are doctrines, preachings,
and church edifices. In essentials the doctrines there are
everywhere the same; but in the higher heavens they contain
more interior wisdom than in the lower. The preachings are in
harmony with the doctrines; and as they have houses and
palaces (n. 183–190), so they have also church edifices, in
which there is preaching. Such things exist in heaven, because
the angels are being perfected continually in wisdom and love.
For they possess, as men do, understanding and will; and both
their understanding and their will are capable of being
continually perfected, the understanding by means of truths of
intelligence, and the will by means of the goods of love. 161
222. But essential Divine worship in the heavens does not
consist in going to church and hearing preaching, but in a life
of love, charity, and faith, in accordance with doctrine;
preachings in churches serve solely as means of instruction in
matters of life. I have talked with angels on this subject, and
have told them that it is believed in the world that Divine
worship consists solely in attending church, listening to the
161. The understanding is receptive of truth, and the will of good (n.
3623, 6125, 7503, 9300, 9930). As all things have relation to truth and
good, so everything of man’s life has relation to understanding and will (n.
803, 10122).
Angels are perfected to eternity (n. 4803, 6648).