Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 190
29
Writings in Heaven
258. As the angels have speech, and their speech consists of
words, they also have writings; and by writing as well as by
speech they give expression to what is in their minds. At times
I have had papers sent to me, traced with written words
precisely like manuscripts in the world, and others like printed
sheets; and I was able to read them in a like way, but was
allowed to get from them only an idea here and there; for the
reason that it is not in accordance with Divine order for man
to be taught by writings from heaven; but he must be taught
by means of the Word only; for it is only by means of the
Word that there is communication and conjunction of heaven
with the world, thus of the Lord with man. That papers
written in heaven were seen also by the prophets is shown in
Ezekiel:
When I looked, behold a hand was put forth by a spirit unto
me, and a roll of a book was therein which he unrolled in my sight;
it was written on the front and on the back (Ezek. 2:9, 10).
And in John:
I saw upon the right hand of him that sat on the throne a
book written within and on the back, sealed up with seven seals
(Rev. 5:1).
259. The existence of writings in the heavens is a provision
of the Lord for the sake of the Word; for the Word in its
essence is Divine truth, and from it is all heavenly wisdom,
both with men and with angels; for the Word was dictated by