SD 2339-2340 - concerning the Last Judgment

SD 2339-2340
A common opinion prevails
that souls will not be raised up from their graves till the Last Judgment
[John 5:28-29]
when heaven and earth will perish,
[Matt. 24:35, Mark 12:31, Luke 21:33]
and that only then,
will all souls stand before the judgment, and be judged,
according to the literal statement in the Word of the Lord.
This opinion has this effect,
that scarcely anyone believes in the resurrection,
especially when he also believes that heaven and earth will not perish,
as well as that there is still a very long time to the last day.
In a word, such an opinion has sunk many people in lethargy.

But still the interior sense of the Lord's Word is different,
namely, that everyone has his judgment when he dies,
for immediately then is the soul or spirit separated from the body,
and comes into another life,
and undergoes (suffers) judgment
according the person's faith and works.
Judgment is the subject everywhere
where hell and heaven are discussed.
(June 17, 1748)