Arcana Coelestia: Genesis

Angels and spirits, or men after death, may, if they desire it, when the Lord permits, have interview with all whom they have had acquaintance with in the world, whether personally or by hearsay, so as to see them, and converse with them : and, what is wonderful, the interview takes place in an instant, and the parties find themselves in the immediate presence of each other. Such communication is granted not only with friends, who, for the most part, find each other, but also with others whom they may have esteemed and respected. By the Divine Mercy of the Lord, it has been permitted me to converse, not only with those whom I was acquainted with during their life in the body, but also with those who in the Word were celebrated more than others ; thus even with those who belonged to the Most Ancient Church, which was that which is called Man, or Adam ; also with some who belonged to the succeeding Churches; to the intent that I might know, that by the names in the first chapters of Genesis are only meant Churches; and also that I might know what was the character of the men who formed the Churches at that time. What therefore it was given me to know concerning the Most Ancient Churches are these things which follow.