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 essential of the faith of the church, they were told from heaven that this might have been done,—since nothing is easier when it pleases the Lord,—but that still they who have confirmed themselves in falsities in opposition to these truths, would not believe even the evidence of their senses; moreover that it is dangerous to confirm anything by visions, because they would first believe, and afterwards deny; and thus, with those who are in falsities, would profane the truth itself,—for to believe and afterwards to deny, is to commit profanation; and they who profane truths are thrust down into the lowest and most grievous of all the hells. This danger is what is meant by the Lord's words:

"He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, and understand with the heart, and convert themselves, and I should heal them," (John xii. 40.) And that they who are in falsities would still not believe, is meant by these words: "Abraham said to the rich man in hell, They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them; but he said, Nay, father Abraham, but if one went unto them from the dead, they would be converted. But Abraham said: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe though one rose from the dead," (Luke xvi. 29, 30, 31.)

When the spirit of man first enters the world of spirits, which takes place shortly after his resuscitation, he has a similar face and similar tone of voice