I spoke with spirits who were undergoing chastening and were losing hope, because they did not want to believe what they were being told-namely, that they can only obtain the power to become angels through chastenings. Before they have gotten as a gift from the Lord the amount of power needed to be able to be led as angels, they cannot be let in. There must be a fullness of power before admission is possible; hence the chastening process. Moreover, after they have become angels there is also chastening, since there are still very many filthy earthly elements that rebel, causing something like fermentation within the groups. Therefore, while these elements are being thrown off, they are sent away, and then admitted again. Nor can one ever be so filled with power that such elements do not constantly have to be thrown off, and thus the angel must improve. So spirits are gifted by the Lord with nothing but the abilities to be led in the way of truth and goodness. These are added over and above, and then, when a balance is reached, and they are being led by the Lord in truth and goodness, to themselves it seems that they are good, and that their evils and falsities have been wiped away-which, however, is not the case. 1748, 7 March.