Today I was shown by actual experience how gentiles with an evil character more easily embrace the faith and practice charity than those who have been instructed. Gentiles somewhat evil in character were [present] for quite a while and stirred up many evil things; but they did this for the reason that they had been unable to hear and understand what had been said and talked about. I judged them to be evil spirits, but later, when the light of understanding was given them by the mercy of God the Messiah so that they would understand like the informed, they began to speak, and very devoutly, calling upon the mercy of God the Messiah, and displaying heartfelt charity toward the others; so they were allowed to join them. They behaved so kindly and so intelligently and wisely, that I could not but marvel; while on the other hand, the informed were indignant at their being admitted into heaven. Thus those they had judged to be spirits were changed into angels. About the persecution of those same ones this last night and the evening before, I cannot say anything except that there were persecutions and lamentations. I can testify that there were persecutions of the devout gentiles by the informed. 1747, the 6th day of October. This also confirms [the prophecy] that from Arabia would come those who would strike the instructed with shame, as we read in Chapter 66 of Isaiah. Obs.: When the light of understanding is taken from them, then they are evil, which they complained about vehemently; whereas when the light of understanding is dawning, then they quickly change, and are good and affectionate; it is different with the informed.