the hands of celestial angels who first are with him. If he is such
that he cannot be with them, he is received by spiritual angels, and
in turn afterwards by good spirits. For all who come into the other
life, whoever they may be, are grateful and welcome new-comers. But as
every one's desires follow him, he who has led a bad life cannot
remain long with angels or good spirits, but in turn separates himself
from them, until at length he comes to spirits of a life conforming
with the life he had in the world. Then it seems to him as if he were
back in the life of the body; his present life being, in fact, a
continuation of his past life. With this life his judgment commences.
They who have led a bad life in process of time descend into hell;
they who have led a good life, are by degrees raised by the Lord into
heaven.

--_Arcana Coelestia, n._ 2119




THE FIRST THREE STATES AFTER DEATH


"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he that is
filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous,
let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be
holy still."

--_Rev_., XXII, 11