Heavenly Arcana: Genesis

Heavenly Arcana: Genesis (volumes 1-11), otherwise known as Arcana Coelestia, is the first half of the magnum opus of the author Emanuel Swedenborg. Published over a period of 8 years, with many more years of research behind it, Heavenly Arcana reveals how the Bible is Divinely inspired, as it contains a hidden spiritual sense behind the literal meaning. In this way scripture becomes applicable to daily life. In the internal or spiritual sense of scripture various psychological states of the development of the human soul are described, which outlines the process by which a mere human grows and develops into a spiritual being or angel. Word by word the spiritual sense of scripture is described for the book of Genesis, with many passages being drawn from other areas of scripture to support each interpretation. All of scripture is revealed to have been composed based on a system of correspondences or representations, otherwise known as archetypes. The symbolism revealed can be useful for dream interpretation. Interspersed among the scripture analysis are accounts of the author's visions of heaven and hell in the spiritual world, explanations concerning the nature of the soul and angels, interpretations concerning the end of the age or last judgment, and doctrines concerning charity and faith. Students and scholars will find this to be an indispensible reference. This digital version combines the first 11 volumes into one edition, and all references have been hyperlinked. For those questioning how the Bible can be Divinely Inspired, Heavenly Arcana provides an answer that is more systematic and comprehensive than can be found in any other work.

The complete set of Heavenly Arcana (volumes 1-20) is published separatedly, which also covers the book of Exodus and contains a hyperlinked topical index. The Heavenly Arcana is also available as part of the bundled set, The Divine Revelation of the New Jerusalem (volumes 1-32), which contains all the published theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He journeyed to England, Holland, France, and Germany to study and work with leading scientists in western Europe. Upon his return he apprenticed as an engineer under the brilliant Swedish inventor Christopher Polhem (1661-1751). King Charles XII of Sweden gave him a salaried position as an overseer of Sweden's mining industry (1716-1747). After the death of the King, Emanuel was ennobled by Queen Ulrika Eleonora. This gave him a seat in the Swedish House of Nobles, where he remained an active participant in the Swedish government throughout his life. A member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences, he devoted himself to scientific studies and philosophical reflections that culminated in a number of scientific publications, mainly concerning minerology and physiology, where he had made several discoveries. From 1743 to 1745 he entered a transitional phase that resulted in a shift of his main focus from science and philosophy to theology. Throughout the rest of his life he maintained that this shift was brought about by Jesus Christ, who appeared to him, called him to a new mission, and opened his perception to a permanent dual consciousness of this life and the spiritual world of heaven and hell. Although he at first published his theological works anonymously, he became more well known to the public when he had a clairvoyant experience where he could describe a fire in Stockholm in 1759, over 400 km away. This was investigated by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who confirmed the event, and it was also noted by Carl Jung who borrowed from Swedenborg for many of his ideas in psychology. At other times Swedenborg demonstrated his clairvoyant abilities to multiple witnesses, including John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Zen master D.T. Suzuki called Swedenborg the "Buddha of the North."