Swedenborg Foundation

Explorations of spiritual love and wisdom inspired by Emanuel Swedenborg

The Last Judgment in Retrospect

By Emanuel Swedenborg
Translated and edited by George F. Dole

The Last Judgment, one of the lesser-known works of Swedish visionary Emanuel Swedenborg (1668-1772), presents a startling claim: “The Last Judgment began last year–1757–and was completed by the end of that year.” This judgment, according to Swedenborg, occurred in the heavens rather than on earth and marked the beginning of a transformation in the spiritual realms that would, over time, affect all of humanity. Read more

Paperback, 128 pages

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Description

The Last Judgment, one of Swedenborg’s lesser known works, presents a startling claim: “The Last Judgment began last year—1757—and was completed by the end of that year.” This judgment occurred in the heavens, rather than on earth. Swedenborg’s view of the Last Judgment stresses God’s love and mercy and combats the fearful prophecies of fiery destruction and eternal damnation that have characterized this subject for so long.

About the Author

Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a Swedish scientist, nobleman, and theologian who spent his life investigating the mysteries of the soul. Born in Stockholm to a staunchly Lutheran family, he graduated from the University of Uppsala and then traveled to England, Holland, France, and Germany to study the leading scientists of the time. He gained favor with Sweden’s King Charles XII, who gave him a position on the board of overseers of the Swedish mining industry. Later, he was granted a seat on the Swedish House of Nobles by Charles XII’s successor, Queen Ulrika Eleonora. Between 1743 and 1745 he began to have visions of heaven, hell, and Jesus Christ that resulted in a stream of books about the nature of God, the afterlife, and the inner meaning of the Bible. He devoted the last decades of his life to studying Scripture and presenting his own unique theology to the world.

 

George F. Dole holds a BA from Yale, an MA from Oxford, and a PhD from Harvard. Now professor emeritus, Dr. Dole taught ancient languages, the Bible, and theology at the Swedenborg School of Religion in Newton, Massachusetts. He is also the author of Freedom and Evil, Sorting Things Out, and A Book about Us. He lives in Bath, Maine.

Additional information

Author

Emanuel Swedenborg
Editor

George F. Dole
Translator

George F. Dole
Format

paperback
ISBN

978-0-87785-176-9
Length

128 pages
Release Date

1996
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