526. CONCERNING THE DRAGON When the dragon was thrust down out of heaven to the lower regions - not as yet to the lowest, except only for the sake of observing the punishments that he might repent - after he had continually striven to do evils without any effect, he at length showed himself as a most hostile enemy to God the Creator, Whom he before said he adored. But it was also granted me to know what his adoration was like, namely, that he placed himself equal to, if not above Him, so that he might upbraid Him because all things did not succeed with him; indeed, he was angry, and cursed, for which reason he was thrust down towards the lowest region, where he is still being somewhat tormented. Soon afterwards he became as though insane, being excited by himself alone during the whole night, without any given cause. From the fact that I opposed him, he blasphemed, and directed his blasphemies against me which I could feel through the whole night, so that he was then left to himself. After this was told him when I was awake, as usual he acknowledged it, and so he wanted to remove himself afar - to the ends of the universe - that he might escape punishment. But whether he did this from his "animus" I do not yet know. Such a lot awaits those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ, the Mediator, and whose "animus" is such towards the Supreme Creator, Whom they confess with the mouth, but in their heart make themselves equal to Him; and when their evils and their evil efforts succeed, then at heart they raise themselves above Him, for they acknowledge no Mediator. 1748, Jan. 24.