their dispensation terminated—clearly show the representative character of that institution; and reveal to us through that medium how near the Divine Being is to us, with His judgements and His blessings.
Every Christian will admit that the iniquity of men, whether individually or collectively, is excited and intensified by infernal agency. "Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."[1] And, on the other hand, it is equally certain that all man's fidelity and love are influenced and exalted through angelic administration. Angels are "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."[2] It is, therefore, most certain that men are, as to their spirits, in connection with the world of spirits; and it is well known that infestations thence, from evil spirits, are diffcult to conquer, painful to endure, and dangerous in the consequences at which they aim. When, therefore, a collection of such spirits begin to influence a community of merely natural men, how perilous is their spiritual position![3]
That infestations of this sort were experienced during several epochs of the Israelitish Church is very evident. The dark spots which so frequently disfigure its history plainly indicate the activity of some malignant influence upon the people; while the brighter periods of their history clearly show that such influences must, in some measure, have been arrested and removed. How was this accomplished? By what means were such restraints effected?
- ↑ 1 Pet. v. 8.
- ↑ Heb. i. 14.
- ↑ "When evil begins to prevail, and the equilibrium to incline on the side of evils, it is thence plainly perceptible that the last time is at hand, and that the equilibrium is about to be restored, by the rejection of those who are within the Church (but have perverted its principles), and the reception of those who are without who are disposed to love and obey its teachings."—Arcana Cælestia, 2122.
