81. The simple think of God as of a Man. Those of most ancient times did the same. Also those of the Church from Adam even to the time of Abraham. Moses and the Prophets both saw Him as Man and called Him Jehovah. That He was the Lord is evident from John 8:58, where it is said that the Lord was, before Abraham. The wise heathens thought similarly, thence their idols. At the present time, the Africans in particular do the same and also the inhabitants of all the earths. All the angels in the heavens, from the very form of heaven can think in no other way. The idea is thence from influx, and thus, as if ingrafted. But it is lost among the learned in the Christian world. See APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED n. 806.
Let him who will, reflect whether he thinks of the Divine of the Lord when He alone is named, thus whether His Divine is approached. Otherwise when three persons are named, then most people think of three Gods. Is it possible ever to approach the One God in this way?
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church