Mishel, I also read that linked article in Terry's post. I only heard of those names here and there. It was quite a shock to read of their sensuality linked to Christian spirituality. In reality though, their doctrines and manifestations were not spiritual, but soulish. Their practice of "sex love" to enter into altered states of consciousness in which visions and ecstasy result is truly the doctrine of demons.

The use of intense (Kabbalistic) meditation on Hebrew letters combined with these attempts at sex/altered states was also quite shocking. The connection to Indian Tantric mysticism seemed quite appropriate for their pursuits. Their blasphemous doctrines concerning God, the Cherubim and the Shekinah was chilling. To realize they taught such things is a horror. Iniquity means "to take that which is straight and twist it." They were so convinced of their divine revelations that they nullified the word of God by encouraging mistresses for the singles and concubines for the married. I'm sure that there are many "Mrs. Blakes" crying.

The state of near madness experienced by Swedenborg and Blake too, seems quite fitting since they were both iniquitous and were receiving due recompense for their perversions. Even more so now in Hades. They have to bear the knowledge forever of those naive people who followed their sensuality and joined them in eternity.

God has forever banned sinful man from Paradise and there is simply no way to beat the system. Combining sex with paranormal ecstasy is a vain attempt to reenter that preternatural world in an end run around the Cherubim with the flaming sword. With all their high-sounding philosophy it reduces down to simple "loving pleasure more than God." Their invasion was a serious threat to the Church. God help those who are caught up in these vain, sensual philosophies.

The Cross of Jesus was God's way of our returning to Paradise. By faith in Him and by the power of the Spirit, we put to death our unrestrained passions and evil desires. Jesus will grant eternal access to the Tree of life again to His own in the resurrection, after this world system and its lusts have passed away. We will enjoy the pleasures at His right hand forever in uncorrupted bodies, when there is no danger of us experiencing madness or impure obsessions. It certainly is worth the wait.