Mitchellville, April 24, 2005

With these words the Lord taught his disciples and followers about the difference between heaven and hell. The Lord wanted people to know that there was life after death where the good would be rewarded and the evil suffer. While the Old Testament is essentially silent on the subject of the life to come, the Lord Himself taught many parables about heaven. He used simple terms familiar to the farmers and shepherds of that time. Simple, comforting ideas for simple times and people. In so doing, He prepared the way to reveal more truths about the spiritual world through the internal sense of the Word. Today’s sermon is the second in a series of three where we learn from the internal sense of the Word how spirits from the world find their way to their eternal home in heaven or hell, and how their true spiritual qualities are revealed and finally allowed to express themselves freely.

In the first sermon several basic terms were defined. It was said that the "spiritual world" means the whole spiritual universe, including heaven, hell, and the world of spirits. The "world of spirits" is a much more specific term. It always refers to that part of the spiritual world which lies between heaven and hell and which is the place where all people go first when their natural bodies die. In character and appearance, it is very much like this world. The word "spirit" means anyone living anywhere in the spiritual world, although it is most frequently used to refer to someone who is still living in the world of spirits and has not yet found their home in heaven or hell. Finally, an "angel" is a particular kind of spirit, specifically a spirit who has been through all the states of introduction and has chosen heaven. An angel is a person who, with their married partner, has been completely accepted into a heavenly society which will be their home to eternity.

Last week we learned that the first state, or state of exteriors, is one of introduction and welcome. It is provided so that each person who enters the spiritual world will have a chance to get their bearings, and become accustomed to the fact of their death and eternal life. They are kept in surroundings that are as familiar as possible, and encouraged to wander around and learn all that they desire for as long as they need to. But eventually every spirit becomes ready to move on, he feels a desire to find his true spiritual home. When this happens, he is ready to enter into the second state, the state of his interiors.

It is of the Divine Providence that each spirit eventually tires of exploring, and begins to seek their true, eternal home. But since their spiritual home will be a reflection of their inmost spiritual character, that character must first be revealed. When the external trappings of intelligence and honor are laid aside, each spirit passes through their own individual "last judgment" where they are weighed in the balance, and the true nature of their heart and mind are for the first time revealed.

Each of us is, to some degree while in the world, a hypocrite. We have to be. In order to live in civil harmony we have to hide our true feelings and try to treat all people at least with courtesy if not kindness. This duality between what we may feel like doing, and what we actually do when we remember that others will be watching and judging us is an illustration of the nature of interior and exterior thought. The Lord has created us so that the interior and exterior are to be unified, not divided. This is the state that the angels are in, but it is not true for the evil who must hide their evil desires behind civil deeds. An angel is totally free to do whatever he or she wants because an angel only wants to do good things. Their interior thought and will are in total harmony with their exterior thought and will.

When the state of exteriors is finished, the man-spirit is let into the state of his interiors, or into the state of his interior will and the thought that comes from it. These interior thoughts are really nothing more than the kinds of things we thought when left to ourselves, that is, they are really our daydreams, our fantasies, our secret desires. The spirit unconsciously glides into this state. (See HH 502) He feels within himself the freedom to think and dream about whatever his heart desires, and under these circumstances, his thoughts make one with his will. That is, he thinks about those things that he really loves and desires. Yet there still remains something of a fear that these thoughts will be revealed, so although his mind is free to dream, he still speaks guardedly, so that no one will know his true thoughts, at least for a while. (SeeHH503) Everyone in the world creates for themselves an image of how they wish to be seen by others, and in so doing hide their own true feelings to some degree. But the interior state is the spirit’s own state, and was his own state when he was living in the world — although he did his best to hide it from others. (See HH 504)

He who was able to come into a state of interior good while still in the world acts rationally and wisely — even more wisely than in the world because he is released from connection with the body, and thus from those earthly things that caused obscurity. He who was evil in the world acts foolishly and insanely, and even more insanely than in the world, because he is free and under no longer cares at all what anyone thinks of him. For while he was in the world he made himself appear to be a rational man, but when the externals are removed, the insanities are revealed. (HH 505)

All people who have lived a good life in the world and have acted from conscience, who have acknowledged the Divine and loved Divine truths, and especially those who have applied those truths to life, seem to themselves, when let into the state of their interiors, like those aroused from sleep into full wakefulness.… Heaven flows into their thoughts and affections with an interior blessedness and delight which they had no knowledge of previously. They then acknowledge the Lord and worship Him from their very life.

When those who have not acknowledged the Lord come into the state of their interiors, they appear foolish; for from their evil lusts they burst forth into all sorts of abominations, into contempt of others, ridicule and blasphemy, hatred and revenge; they plot intrigues, some with a cunning and malice that can scarcely be believed to be possible in any man. All the wisdom that they seemed to have has been only in the exteriors of their mind, and while this allowed them to seem wise in the world, when the exteriors are left behind with the natural body, they also leave behind all their apparent wisdom and act from their inner insanity. Therefore the evil are allowed to return to the state of exteriors for short intervals where they are allowed to remember how they have been acting. Some feel ashamed, and acknowledge that they have been insane; but others do not feel shame, and are instead angry that they are not permitted to remain forever in their exteriors. This is not allowed, for they would use their false exteriors to seek to deceive and subvert others. Eventually, their exteriors would burn with the same fire as their interiors, and this would consume their whole life. (HH 506)

Spirits become visibly just what they had been interiorly during their life in the world. Things done and said in secret now become manifest because external things do not restrain them. They speak openly, and attempt to do whatever they will, as they are no longer afraid of their reputation in the world. All inhibitions are lost, and angel guards are needed to restrain them from committing actual acts of violence against other spirits, for they can no longer restrain themselves from doing exactly what they want to do, when they want to, without any regard to the consequences.

Everyone can judge for themselves how they would act if they were left free to act with no fear of the law and no fear in regard to life, and with no outward restraints, such as fear of injury to one’s reputation or of loss of honor and gain and consequent pleasures. This is how the Lord, in His infinite Wisdom, allows each of us to find our own home. From time to time it is useful, and sobering, to think of how we are going to react when our turn comes. Those things that we don’t want to be revealed to all in the world of spirits must be shed and left in this world by the process of repentance, reformation, and regeneration.

Those who are evil at heart rush into all kinds of terrible things, but they are restrained by the Lord that they may not rush beyond the limits of use; for even these evil spirits perform a use. In them, good spirits see what evil is and its quality, and what man is when he is not led by the Lord. Another of their uses is their collecting together evil spirits like themselves and separating them from the good; and another, that the truths and goods that the evil had outwardly professed and feigned are taken away from them, and they are brought into the evils of their life and the falsities of their evil, and are thus prepared for hell. (HH 508)

It is very important to understand that no one is ever punished in the spiritual world for deeds done during life in the world. Death wipes the slate clean. Evils deeds done from a youthful lack of judgment and that have been seen and rejected by the adult will not come back to haunt them. Spirits are only punished on account of the evils done after they enter the world of spirits. Everyone after death returns to his own life and thus into like evils. Those who are evil at heart continue to express their hatreds and it is these things that are punished and restrained. Good spirits are never punished no matter what they may have done during their life in the world, because their evils do not return because they are not longer a part of their interior (or true) character.

By revealing genuine internals and shedding external appearances, a spirit is led home. Some evil spirits enter and leave hell several times until they are finally ready. By the end of the second state the good and the evil are separated from one another, for the evil at heart have fled from the presence of the angels, while the good at heart seek them out for guidance and instruction.

In summary, we can see that the first state, or the state of exteriors, is a time of familiarization, where people newly from the world can get used to the idea of their eternal life and become comfortable. The second state is where everyone’s true spiritual nature is revealed. Layer by layer all the external habits and defenses are peeled away until nothing remains but the spirit’s ruling loves.

The Evil spirit no longer cares what anyone thinks of him, and does exactly as he pleases, as if he were living in a dream. He rejoices as he finds his fantasy world becoming real. He is no longer anxious about the law. He no longer fears being found out. And in his freedom he strikes out at others. But when he is prevented from actually harming anyone, or stealing anything, he becomes enraged, insane, and eventually throws himself into hell to be with others of like loves. For the evil, the second state is the last. Once evil has taken over the heart and mind, there can be no further instruction or preparation.

However, the good rejoice in that they are no longer limited by worldly restraints. Their good intentions now instantly become acts of kindness. Money, busy schedules, household duties, and physical tiredness no longer stand in the way. As they find themselves able to do more, they become more and more interested in understanding what is happening to them. The evils that do not agree with their ruling love drop away, sometimes with some effort and pain.

When loves that do not belong to the ruling love are removed, it is called a vastation, and it is a necessary preparation for entering heaven, for the angelic mind cannot contain what is evil or false, nor can the devil’s mind contain what is good and true. The conflict between good and evil, the true and the false would destroy the mind and thus eternal life, so such a mixture and confusion in not permitted in either heaven or hell.

As the falsities of life in the world are taken away, new truths are given to take their place, and the heaven-bound spirit enters into the state of preparation, the state where he is led from the world of spirits to his eternal, spiritual home. This spiritual journey, or state of instruction, will be the topic of the sermon on May 15th. AMEN.

(Psa 112) Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. {2} His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. {3} Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. {4} Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. {5} A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. {6} Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. {7} He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. {8} His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. {9} He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. {10} The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish. Amen.

"There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. {20} "But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, {21} "desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. {22} "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. {23} "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. {24} "Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ {25} "But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. {26} ‘And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ {27} "Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, {28} ‘for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ {29} "Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ {30} "And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ {31} "But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’" Amen.

502. When the first state, … of the exteriors … has been passed through, the man-spirit is let into the state of his interiors, or into the state of his interior will and its thought, in which he had been in the world when left to himself to think freely and without restraint. Into this state he unconsciously glides, just as when in the world he withdraws the thought nearest to his speech, that is, from which he speaks, towards his interior thought and abides in the latter. Therefore in this state of his interiors the man-spirit is in himself and in his very life; for to think freely from his own affection is the very life of man, and is himself.

503. In this state the spirit thinks from his very will, thus from his very affection, or from his very love; and thought and will then make one, and one in such a manner that he seems scarcely to think but only to will. It is nearly the same when he speaks, yet with the difference that he speaks with a kind of fear that the thoughts of the will may go forth naked, since by his social life in the world this has come to be a part of his will. Amen.