spirit arrives at a heavenly state. And the various affections of heavenly use, thus developed and perfected, give character and form to the corresponding societies into which the heavens are distinguished.
But a much more extended knowledge of the nature and form of the heavenly societies, may be obtained from the writings of him, who, in the providence of the Lord, was permitted openly to associate with those societies, for many years; and at the same time to record the things which he saw and heard, for the instruction and benefit of those who are prepared to receive them. A knowledge of the important and interesting facts, which he has unfolded on this subject, may be obtained from his works; where also may be found a clear and beautiful demonstration of those laws, in accordance with which the heavenly societies are formed.
I have space for only the following general remarks:
"There are three heavens, the first where good spirits are, the second where angelic spirits are, the third where angels are; and one more interior and purer than another: thus they are most distinct from each other. Each heaven, both the first, the second, and the third, is distinguished in to innumerable societies, and each society consists of many individuals, who by harmony and unanimity constitute, as it were, one person; and all the societies together constitute as it were, one man. The societies are distinguished from each other according to the differences of mutual love, and of faith towards the Lord; which differences are so innumerable, that it is not possible to recount even the most universal genera; nor is there the least given difference, which is not arranged in the most orderly manner, so as to conspire unanimously to the common one, and the common one to the unanimity of the individuals, and hereby to the happiness of all as promoted by individuals, and of individuals as promoted by all; hence every particular angel, and every particular society, is an image of the universal heaven, and a kind of heaven in miniature.
It is the Lord's mercy, that is, his love towards the universal heaven, and the universal race of mankind, consequently the Lord alone, who determines all and everything into Societies.
