TCR 694 - Eternal Rest

TCR 694

. . . the elder spoke with them again
about the eternal rest from labors
into which the blessed and happy come after death.
"Eternal rest," he said, "is not idleness,
for idleness produces languor, sluggishness,
numbness and drowsiness of the mind,
and consequently of the whole body;
and these are death, not life,
much less the eternal life
which the angels of heaven enjoy.
Eternal rest, therefore,
is a rest that dispels these states
and enables a person to live;
and it is only this that elevates the mind.
It consists therefore in some pursuit or occupation
by which the mind is aroused, quickened and delighted;
and this follows according to the use
from which, in which and for which
the work is performed.
Thus the whole heaven is viewed by the Lord
as a sphere of uses,
and every angel is an angel according to his use.
The delight of use bears him along
as a favorable current does a ship,
causing him to be in eternal peace,
and in the rest of peace.
This is the meaning of eternal rest from labors.
That an angel is quickened
as his mind is applied to use
is plainly evident from the fact
that every one enjoys conjugial love
in its vigor, potency and delight
according to his love of its use."

When the three strangers had been thus convinced
that eternal rest is not idleness
but joy in the performance of useful work,
some maidens came and presented them with
embroidered and woven articles . . ..