Passages quoted in this video for reflection: “... he is received at first in a friendly manner, which makes him believe that he has come among friends. … In the meanwhile, he is explored in respect of his astuteness and consequent ability; and when this has been done they begin to infest him, …, and with gradually greater severity and vehemence. … introducing him more interiorly and deeply ... they begin to treat him cruelly by punishments, and this goes on until he is reduced to the condition of a slave.” (paragraph 574)

“A person may know whom he is among, … from this: if he intends evil to his neighbour, thinks nothing but evil regarding him, and when possible actually does it, and takes delight in this, he is among spirits from hell and also becomes one himself in the next life. The person however who intends good to his neighbour, thinks nothing but good regarding him, and when possible actually does it, is among angelic spirits, and also becomes an angel in the next life.” (Heavenly Secrets, paragraph 1680.2)

Find the video here: https://youtu.be/TucaiBki980 Find the reading of the text here: https://soundcloud.com/swedenborgcommunity/hh-chapter-59

This is a project of the Swedenborg Community Victoria. Visit www.swedenborgcommunityvictoria.net.au

With thanks to the Swedenborg Society, London, for permission to use the Harley Translation (1958) of Swedenborg's original Latin text, Heaven and Its Wonders and Hell: From Things Heard and Seen. Visit www.swedenborg.org.uk