104. The Word Is the Means by Which Those Have Light Who Are Outside the Church and Do Not Have the Word

No conjunction with heaven is possible unless somewhere on earth there is a church which has the Word and where the Lord is consequently known, because the Lord is God of heaven and earth, and there is no salvation apart from the Lord.

It is enough for a church to exist that has the Word, even if it consists of relatively few people. The Lord is still everywhere present by means of the Word throughout the whole world; for by it heaven is conjoined with the human race. To be shown that the conjunction exists by means of the Word, see nos. 62-69 above.

69. It can be seen from this that spirit and life are present only in the Word, which makes possible a conjunction with the Lord and affiliation with angels. As the Lord teaches:

The words that I speak to you are spirit and life. (John 6:63)

The water that I shall give (you) will become...a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

...labor...for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of man will give you.... (John 6:27)