228. CONCERNING THE STATE OF THE DAMNED IN HELL During the night between Oct. 29 and 30,* o.s. 1747, I had a dream from which I awoke repeatedly; for evil spirits kept on infesting me, so much so that I could not continue my sleep. After awakening several times, until at length I was quite awake, I was seized with a trembling throughout the whole body, and I manifestly perceived that a certain column, as it were, surrounded me; I could sensibly perceive it. I awaited what would thence happen. I supposed that I was thus being defended against evil spirits. That column was sensibly increased. It was continually insinuated into my thought with a perceptive feeling that this was the "brazen wall", as it is called [Jer. i 18; xv 20], by which the faithful are defended from the infestation of evil spirits. While, therefore, this column or wall remained around me which could be nothing else than a column of angels in the midst of whom was God Messiah, Who is the "Brazen wall" - I also observed the cause, namely, that I was let down to the unhappy in hell, that I might perceive their state, and thus make known to the world, especially to the incredulous or the unbelieving, that there is a hell: not only that there is a hell, but also what is the state of those there, though I cannot adequately describe it. I heard lamentations such as these, "God! Oh God! Jesus Christ be merciful! Jesus Christ be merciful!": and for a long time, to which I at first gave attention. Afterwards, when I was in hell, and indeed in the body as I am today, a certain one of those miserable beings was permitted to speak with me, which he also did for some considerable time; but I cannot relate the things he said. Only this at present: that they complained of those free spirits, or "furies", who as yet lodge in the third heaven, that they are the ones who torment them; for their desire is to torment every man and spirit whatsoever. In a word, their torments are unspeakable; but I was allowed to encourage them with some hope, that they should not despair entirely; for they were saying that they believed the torment would be eternal. It was granted me to encourage them by saying that God Messiah is merciful, also that we read in His word that those bound in the pit would be released,** and that the pit signifies hell. This I also heard confirmed from above in order that they might have some consolation, which also they then said that they felt. In order that ye may believe, for it is true, I testify to you something still more wonderful - that God Messiah, moved by inmost mercy, appeared to them out of heaven, and indeed as was said to me, in Glory; I also could discern this, though not so manifestly as the unhappy spirits. They confessed that they had received great consolation from this appearance. It is now said in my ear that angels also have consoled them, and that they will console them. Moreover, I also wish you to believe, for it is true, since I know because I have perceived it, that many of them have been raised out of hell and torment into heaven, where they are living at this day, and that it seemed to one of them who had suffered the greatest torment, that God Messiah embraced and kissed him. Afterwards many also were liberated from hell and taken up into heaven. In the night between Oct. 29 and 30, o.s. 1747. * The manuscript has Oct. 23, but since in nos. 226, 229, and 331, the date 22 is crossed out and 29 written above, and in n. 228, 22 and 23 are crossed out and 29 and 30 written above, it seems evident that the author omitted to make the change here. For the same reason, in the first line of n. 228 we have changed 22 and 23 to 29 and 30, as the author himself did in the last line. In n. 230 we have twice changed 23 and 24 to 30 and 31. ** Zech. ix 11. See also Isa. li 14 and Psalm xl 2.