The Swedenborg Library Vol 1/Chapter 22

by Emanuel Swedenborg

XXII.

STATE OF THE WORLD AND CHURCH FORETOLD.

HE state of the world hereafter will be quite similar to what it has been heretofore; for the great change which has been effected in the spiritual world, does not induce any change in the natural world as regards the outward form; so that the affairs of states, peace, treaties and wars, with all other things in general and in particular which belong to societies of men, will exist in the future as they have existed in the past. The Lord's saying that, "In the last times there will be wars, and that nation will then rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and that there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in divers places" (Matthew xxiv. 6, 7), does not mean that such things will exist in the natural world, but that things correspondent with them will exist in the spiritual world; for the Word in its prophecies does not treat of the kingdoms or nations upon earth; nor, consequently, of their wars, or of famines, pestilences and earthquakes in nature, but of such things as correspond to them in the spiritual world.

But as for the state of the church, this will be dissimilar hereafter. It will be similar indeed in the outward form, but dissimilar in the inward. Churches divided as to outward appearance, will exist as heretofore; their doctriues will be taught as heretofore; and the same religions as now will exist among the Gentiles. But henceforth the man of the church will be in a more free state of thinking on matters of faith, that is, on spiritual things which relate to heaven, because spiritual liberty has been restored to him. For all things in the heavens and hells are now reduced to order; and all thinking which entertains or opposes Divine things inflows from thence,—from the heavens all which is in harmony with Divine things, and from the hells all which is opposed to them. But man does not observe this change of state in himself, because he does not reflect upon it, and because he knows nothing of spiritual liberty or of influx: nevertheless it is perceived in heaven, and also by man himself when he dies.

Since spiritual liberty has been restored to man, the spiritual sense of the Word is now unveiled, and interior divine truths are revealed by means of it. For man in his former state would not have understood them; and he who would have understood them, would have profaned them.

I have had much conversation with the angels about the state of the church hereafter. They said that they know not things to come; for such knowledge belongs to the Lord alone; but that they do know that the slavery and captivity in which the man of the church was formerly, is removed; and that now, from restored liberty, he can, if he desires, more easily perceive interior truths, and thus can be made more internal if he wishes; but that still they have slender hope of the men of the Christian church, but much of some nation far distant from the Christian world, and therefore removed from infesters; which nation is such that it is capable of receiving spiritual light, and of being made a celestial-spiritual man; and they said that at this day [1757] interior divine truths are revealed in that nation, and are also received in spiritual faith, that is, in life and in heart; and that it worships the Lord. (L. J. n. 73-74.)