Page:Gems of Heavenly Wisdom from the Writings of Swedenborg.djvu/13

 GEMS OF HEAVENLY WISDOM.

The Two Gates.

Baptism is the first gate by which every Christian is initiated and introduced into the doctrines, which the church teaches from the Word, respecting a future life ; all which are so many means to prepare him, and conduct him to heaven. The other gate is the Holy Supper, through which every one, who has suffered himself to be prepared and led by the Lord, is introduced and admitted into heaven. There are no other universal gates than these.

The Origin of Heaven and Hell.

It is altogether unknown in the Christian world that heaven and hell are from mankind ; for it is believed that angels were created at the beginning, and that heaven was formed of them ; and that the devil or Satan was an angel of light, who, becoming rebellious, was cast down with his crew, and that this was the origin of hell. The angela are greatly astonished at such a faith in the Christian world, and still more, that nothing at all is there known of heaven, when yet it is a primary subject of doctrine in the church ; and since such ignorance prevails, they are rejoiced in heart that it has now pleased the Lord to reveal to men many things concerning heaven, and also concerning hell, and by this means, as far as possible, to dissipate the dark-