have risen not long after their decease; and, indeed, with almost all whom I knew when they lived in the body, but who have since died; as also to converse daily with spirits and angels now for several years, and to see their stupendous sights, such as never entered into the idea of any person [here on earth]. (A. C. Preface to Genesis, chap, xvi.)
The objects in the heaven of angels [or in the spiritual world, being all spiritual in their nature] cannot be seen with the bodily eyes, but with the eyes of the spirit; and these are opened whenever it pleases the Lord. And when opened, the man is withdrawn from the natural light in which he is by reason of the bodily senses, and is elevated into spiritual light in which he is by reason of his spirit. In that light have I seen the things which exist in heaven. (H. H. 171.)
Every one knows that the organ of bodily vision, which is the eye, is so gross that it cannot see even the smaller things of nature except by the aid of optical glasses; much less, then, can it discern those which are above the sphere of nature, as all things in the spiritual world are. Nevertheless these are seen by man when he is withdrawn from the bodily sight, and the sight of his spirit is opened. This is effected in a moment when it pleases the Lord that man should see spiritual things. And he is not aware at the time but that he sees them with his bodily eyes. Thus were angels seen by Abraham, Lot, Manoah
