Spiritual Experiences Minor (Buss) n. 4756

Previous Number Next Number See Latin 

4756. [4777] HOW REFLECTION IS BESTOWED IN THE OTHER LIFE. After death, reflection upon inconveniences and punishments is taken away from man; for external bonds are removed, and the man is left to his own disposition, thus to the delights of his life, so that he may act according to the. For, in the other life, a reflection other than prevails during the life of the body, is requisite. In this life, there is reflection upon honors, gains, reputation, dangers to life, and the like. These things are taken away, and the spirit is left to his own disposition, which he had acquired to himself in the life of the body. To him who had done evil, reflection is given by means of many punishments, until at last [such ones] are averse to, and terrified at doing evil, especially to the societies in which they have suffered. This reflection, which is given to the evil, is external, and they are then kept in the hells, nor do they get out from thence. They suffer punishments so prolonged and so grievous, that, at last, that reflection comes into the mind, as it were of itself: But to the good reflection is given by means of the enjoyments and delights of heaven, besides that they, when they enter the other life, are in some reflection - which is augmented.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church