than his former (n. 8394). Those
that have not acknowledged holy things, still less those that
have no knowledge of them, cannot profane them (n. 1008, 1010,
1059, 9188, 10284). The heathen who are out of the church and
do not have the Word cannot profane it (n. 1327, 1328, 2051,
2284). On this account interior truths were not disclosed to
the Jews, for if they had been disclosed and acknowledged that
people would have profaned them (n. 3398, 4289, 6963). The lot
of profaners in the other life is the worst of all, because not
only the good and truth they have acknowledged, but also their
evil and falsity remain, and as these cling together, the life
is rent asunder (n. 571, 582, 6348). Consequently most careful
provision is made by the Lord to prevent profanation (n. 2426,
10287).

457. When the spirit of man first enters the world of spirits, which
takes place shortly after his resuscitation, as described above, his
face and his tone of voice resemble those he had in the world,
because he is then in the state of his exteriors, and his interiors
are not as yet uncovered. This is man's first state after death. But
subsequently his face is changed, and becomes entirely different,
resembling his ruling affection or ruling love, in conformity with
which the interiors of his mind had been while he was in the world
and his spirit while it was in the body. For the face of a man's
spirit differs greatly from the face of his body. The face of his
body is from his parents, but the face of his spirit is from his
affection, and is an image of it. When the life of the spirit in the
body is ended, and its exteriors are laid aside and its interiors
disclosed, it comes into this affection. This is man's second state.
I have seen some that have recently arrived from the world, and have
recognized them from their face and speech; but seeing them
afterwards I did not recognize them. Those that had been in good
affections appeared with beautiful faces; but those that had been in
evil affections with misshapen faces; for man's spirit, viewed in
itself, is nothing but his affection; and the face is its outward
form. Another reason why faces are changed is that in the other life
no one is permitted to counterfeit affections that are not his own,
and thus assume looks that are contrary to his love. All in the other
life are brought into such a state as to speak as they think, and to
manifest in their looks and ge