260. About the man not invited to the banquet, and not dressed in a wedding garment, who was cast out [Matt. 22:11-14]

Today a certain evil spirit appeared to me who thought that he had risen up into the very inward heaven, because he had lifted himself very high overhead and wanted to stir up trouble there by diverting belief from God the Messiah and transferring it to himself. Thus he wanted to exalt himself even unto God the Messiah, and claim His power to himself - not knowing that he was only in the last heaven, where evil spirits are still dwelling. This fact was shown to him pictorially, but to no avail; for he went on with his wickedness.

But because this person was an evil spirit, he had to be dealt with by means of symbolic displays, or mental imagery. Therefore, truth was wrapped around him symbolically, whereupon he was cast out, and he shouted that he was being greatly afflicted, begging to be released from that place.

This is what must be suffered by those who contemplate arrogating to themselves power over the faith [of others] - especially when this effort is the result of more than mere simplicity. 1747, the 20th day of November (old calendar). In his distress he said that he had been instigated to doing this by the diabolical gang.