292. THAT THERE IS A DIABOLIC CREW THAT BOAST THAT THEY ARE THE MESSIAH, AND THEY DO MIRACLES He who was permitted to enter into me, that he might exercise his arts more efficaciously before those around me in the other life, both known and unknown, and before others not very long since dead - he, together with his crew, also endeavored to perform miracles, and likewise supposed that he did them, although they were mere phantasies. For that diabolic crew seemed to themselves to be let down into the depth of the earth, whence, nevertheless, they could speak with me, thus as if they were hidden or absent, which seemed to be a miracle, as if he could destroy or overturn the universe, as such magicians suppose [they can do]. This lasted for some time, and when I inquired of what quality he was, he replied that he was the Messiah, and indeed supposed himself to be the Messiah. He desired to affirm it very firmly, but I did not want to hear this. Wherefore this coincides with the truth of God Messiah, that there would come those who would call themselves the Messiah, and would perform miracles [Matthew xxiv 24]. 1747, Dec. 3.