16. 1353. Visions of the second, third, fourth and fifth types have happened with me, and, in fact, those of the second type often, those of the third also several times, those of the fourth most often and as vividly as in day-time, and those of the fifth over a period of several years. To this I can solemnly swear. By this means I have, by pure mercy of the Messiah, been given a definite knowledge of visions and thus of inspiration through the Messiah's angels - and I pass by the rest, only mentioning visions [of the first type,] before the sight. [See, Vision]
[See also WE 1354-65, where, prior to the explanation of Gen. 32:3 ff., the gentiles are discussed in general.] 1366. The reason why there are as many nations as there are in the entire globe, having so many forms of Divine worship, and why the Church of Christ is gathered from the whole world, is clearly this, that in that Greatest Society which will constitute the Kingdom of the Messiah, there must exist a perpetual and inexpressible variety. From this variety, brought together into a most perfect form, results the true perfection of that whole Society, which, by the Divine Providence of the Messiah, is being chosen from the entire globe, from Noah's time even to the end of days. Providence itself is especially concentrated upon this, for it is looking to the final goal in just as many means as there have been and are people on earth, spirits and angels.
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