The New Church in Heaven
15 This prompts the experience I had in the fall of 1986 (November?), which speaks of the
New Church in heaven before it sets down on earth (as mentioned in
Judith). And I had dream, where I was approached by a young woman who reminded me of my sister Cindy—
her innocence. I was standing on a dirt road, near a field about ready to be plowed, and it was a
gray evening. And she approached asking about God, I don't recall what, but I suggested she talk to the Father in Heaven and pointed straight up. Looking up at the same time, there it was, a huge shiny full moon, and it was magnificent! When I looked down the young woman was gone. But I looked up again and there they were, two beautiful full moons talking to each other! Across her moon ran a thin dark cloud, or something to that effect.
16 And I was astounded, and thought surely it was a great sign, while all around me in every direction, stars began shooting up to heaven (perhaps a thousand?). This was equally impressive, and I knew these were other people being lifted up to heaven. This went on for three or four seconds and I suspected it would soon be my turn, but I wasn't sure when and, I was hesitant to follow. Looking to where the young woman first stood (to my left), there appeared another woman, and on her head she wore a globe, looking similar to an outdoor light fixture and appearing like a moon. And there was gas swirling around inside, as she "tried" igniting it. A vivid reflection of her indecision, which was a reflection of mine! And I said to myself, "I guess it's my turn," and took a "little hop" and shot up like the rest.
17 In only an instant I was in a large auditorium with a large group of people. I sat in the middle of the front row, and up on stage were two or three people, preparing to give a demonstration. (I'm reminded of the demonstrations
Swedenborg speaks of in his writings.) But sensing this had something to do with me, specifically, I couldn't sit still. I squirmed in my chair for a moment or two, as I tried to let things proceed, but I couldn't settle down. I don't recall excusing myself, but a moment later I was wide awake in bed.
18 After gaining insight into this several years later, I realized it was preliminary to
The Advent of the New Church on earth, that indeed it was the
New Church becoming manifest in heaven. And so applies to
Revelation 12:1: "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars." And as
Swedenborg says in
The Apocalypse Revealed, the new church in heaven is expressly implied here—by
the moon under her feet! There's also the
crown of twelve stars, which suggests something similar to the stars in my dream. Indeed all the elements are here.
19 I also said the young woman reminded me of my sister, which is significant for
Cindy comes from
Artemis, the moon goddess! And virgin! (so correlating with this woman's innocence). And this was a couple of years before I made the connection!
