3385. Inward things, innermost ones even more, and supreme ones still more, are like the darkness of an abyss; then about higher knowledge of faith, appearances and fallacies.

I spoke with spirits who were ascending like an imperceptible cloud forward toward the side of the old Jerusalem, thus toward the left, whom they said were from the ancient Church, or the descendants of Noah - whether they were, I do not know as yet. They asked several questions, and received a reply, and wanted to ask some more profound ones, even most profound.

But when I perceived that they wanted to ask these questions, I was prompted to tell them that I do not answer such questions, for if they only wanted to investigate and to learn things belonging to inward or angelic spirits, they would appear to them as darkness, or something obscure and gloomy-still more so if they wanted to investigate things belonging to still more inward angels, which must appear dark to them. How then would it be with things most profound? if they tried to look into these from their own earthly light, they would go completely blind! For what would they be able to see in things that are most dark to them, when anyone who desires to do this would go completely blind? Therefore I do not want to reply to these questions, because I am not able, being only in bodily and earthly things, prepared in such a way that I may be able to serve those who are in such things.