There cannot be any conjunction with heaven unless somewhere upon the
earth there is a Church where the Word is and by it the Lord is known.
It is sufficient that there be a Church where the Word is, even
though it should consist of few relatively. The Lord is present by it,
nevertheless, in the whole world. The light is greatest where those
are who have the Word. Thence it extends itself as from a centre out
to the last periphery. Thence comes the enlightenment of nations and
peoples outside the Church, too, by the Word.
--_Doctrine concerning the Sacred Scripture, nn._ 104, 106