1059. But yet is. That this signifies that still it is, because it is Divine, and is not rejected except by the profane, is evident from the signification of the beast, of which this is said, as denoting the Word. That this still is, and that it is commonly acknowledged as Divine, and its sanctity equal to that of the dictates and bulls of the Pope, is known. But, nevertheless, that it is rejected by those who, in heart, deny Divine truths, thus by those who profane the holy things of the church, has been shown above.

Why it is said, But yet is, is a mystery which has reference to those who acknowledge the Word as Divine, of whom we shall speak in the explanation of verses 16 and 17 of this chapter.

Continuation concerning the third kind of Profanation:-

[2] Those who are in this kind of profanation, which is hypocritical, differ in this, that there are those who have less, and those who have more ability to conceal the interiors of their minds, lest they should be made manifest, and to frame the exteriors, that is, the features, so as to appear holy.

These after death, when they become spirits, appear encompassed with a bright cloud, in the midst of which is something black, like an Egyptian mummy. But when they are raised up into the light of heaven, that bright cloud becomes diabolically dusky, not from transparency, but transpiration, and the infection therefrom.

Such therefore, in hell, are black devils. The differences in this kind of profanation are known from a more or less hideous and horrifying blackness.