The Bible

 

John 1:24

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24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #8028

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8028. All that had happened went to show the orderly way in which things are done in heaven and therefore on earth - the way things are done when angels are about to arrive. A spirit is sent on ahead to prepare the way. He then produces a feeling of fear in people, and warns them to receive the angels in a kindly manner. He injects remarks, though at first he does not understand what it is the angels are declaring. But after he has been brought into a better state he does understand. In short, the spirit is present throughout, preparing the mind and trying to forestall anything disrespectful. All this made me think about John the Baptist, that in keeping with heavenly order he was sent on ahead to proclaim the Lord's Coming and to prepare the way for Him to be received respectfully, as stated in Matthew 3:3; Luke 1:17; 3:4; John 1:23.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.