152 HEAVEN and HELL §285
a. In the highest sense, peace means the Lord, because he is the source of peace; and in the inner
sense it means heaven, because people there are in a state of peace: 3780 , 4681. Peace in the heav-
ens is the divine nature profoundly touching everything good and true there with a blessedness
that is beyond our comprehension: 92 , 3780 , 5662 , 8455 , 8665. Divine peace occurs in what is
good, but not in what is true apart from what is good: 8722.explain that peace is the very heart of the delight that comes from the
goodness of innocence.286 First, we need to say where peace comes from. Divine peace is
within the Lord, arising from the oneness of his divine nature and the
divine human nature within him. The divine quality of peace in
heaven comes from the Lord, arising from his union with heaven’s
angels, and specifi cally from the union of the good and the true within
each angel. These are the sources of peace. We may therefore conclude
that peace in the heavens is the divine nature intimately affecting
everything good there with blessedness. So it is the source of all the joy
of heaven. In its essence, it is the divine joy of the Lord’s divine love,
arising from his union with heaven and with every individual there.
This joy, perceived by the Lord in the angels and by the angels from
the Lord, is peace. It fl ows down from there to provide angels with every-
thing that is blessed and delightful and happy—what is called “heav-
enly joy.”a
287 Because these are the origins of peace, the Lord is called the Prince of
Peace and says that peace comes from him and that peace is in him. So
too angels are called angels of peace and heaven the dwelling place of
peace, as in the following passages:
A child is born to us, a son is given to us, on whose shoulder the gov-
ernment [shall rest], and his name shall be called Wonderful, Coun-
selor, God, Hero, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace; of the increase of
government and peace there shall be no end. (Isaiah 9 : 5 – 6 [ 6 – 7 ])Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, not as the
world gives do I give to you.” (John 14 : 27 )I have told you these things so that you might have peace in me. (John
16 : 33 )May Jehovah lift his face to you and give you peace. (Numbers 6 : 26 )The angels of peace weep bitterly, the highways are ruined. (Isaiah 33 : 7 – 8 )