The Swedenborg Library Vol 1/Chapter 1
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DEATH, RESURRECTION,
AND
THE JUDGMENT.
I.
INTRODUCTORY.
AM well aware that few persons will believe it possible for any one to see the things which exist in the spiritual world, and thus be able to give an account of the state of souls after death. The reason of this incredulity is, that few believe in a resurrection; and fewer of the learned than of the simple. They declare, indeed, with their lips, that they shall rise again, because this is according to the doctrine of faith; but still they deny it in their hearts. Nay, some even openly declare that if any one should rise from the dead, and they should see and hear and touch him, they would then believe; but not till then. Were even this, however, to be granted, it must be repeated for the satisfaction of every individual. And after all, not a single person who in heart denies a resurrection, would be persuaded; but a thousand objections would arise in his mind, which would confirm him in his negative conclusion.
Some profess to believe that they shall rise again, but not till the day of the last judgment; and the idea they have formed of that day is, that all things belonging to the visible world will then be destroyed. As that day, however, has for so many ages been vainly expected, they still have doubts whether any resurrection will ever take place.
Hence it may be seen what sort of persons there are at this day in the Christian world.[1] The Sadducees spoken of in Matthew xxii. 23, openly denied a resurrection. Yet they did better than those at the present day, who profess not to deny because it is an article of faith, and yet deny it in their hearts; so that their profession is contrary to their belief, and their belief to their profession.
Lest, therefore, mankind should any longer confirm themselves in that false opinion, it has been granted me by the divine mercy of the Lord, during my abode in this world in the body, to be in the spirit in the other world (for man is a spirit clothed with a body), and there to discourse with souls that have risen not long after their decease; and, indeed, with almost all whom I knew when they lived in the body, but who have since died; as also to converse daily with spirits and angels now for several years, and to see their stupendous sights, such as never entered into the idea of any person [here on earth]. (A. C. Preface to Genesis, chap, xvi.)
The objects in the heaven of angels [or in the spiritual world, being all spiritual in their nature] cannot be seen with the bodily eyes, but with the eyes of the spirit; and these are opened whenever it pleases the Lord. And when opened, the man is withdrawn from the natural light in which he is by reason of the bodily senses, and is elevated into spiritual light in which he is by reason of his spirit. In that light have I seen the things which exist in heaven. (H. H. 171.)
Every one knows that the organ of bodily vision, which is the eye, is so gross that it cannot see even the smaller things of nature except by the aid of optical glasses; much less, then, can it discern those which are above the sphere of nature, as all things in the spiritual world are. Nevertheless these are seen by man when he is withdrawn from the bodily sight, and the sight of his spirit is opened. This is effected in a moment when it pleases the Lord that man should see spiritual things. And he is not aware at the time but that he sees them with his bodily eyes. Thus were angels seen by Abraham, Lot, Manoah and the prophets. Thus, also, was the Lord seen by his disciples after his resurrection. And in like manner, too, have angels been seen by me.
The prophets were called seers, and men whose eyes were open (1 Sam. ix. 9; Numb. xxiv. 3), because they saw with the eyes of the spirit; and the opening of this spiritual sight, was called opening the eyes. This was the case with the servant of Elisha, of whom we read: "Elisha prayed and said: Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha"—2 Kings vi. 17. (H. H. 76.)
Many, I am well aware, will insist that it is impossible for any one to converse with spirits and angels during his life in the body; many, that such intercourse must be mere fancy and illusion; some, that I have invented such relations in order to gain credit; while others will make other objections. To all such objections, however, I am quite indifferent; for I have seen, have heard, and have had sensible experience of what I am about to declare. (A. C. 68.)
- ↑ [It should be borne in mind that this was written more than a hundred years ago, when faith in a life beyond the grave was considerably weaker throughout Christendom than it is now.—Ed.]