2703. For a person on earth or a spirit to be in the angelic and heavenly realm, they need to have conviction regarding the Lord
It is known that knowledge must precede (but knowledge accomplishes nothing), that then understanding follows, which is the first element of conviction, then a conviction that is only intellectual, and then inward conviction [see 2671 1.3]. If one does not have inward conviction of matters regarding faith in the Lord, one cannot be in the angelic and heavenly realm, for there are incompatibilities, and these incompatibilities drive a person away in anguish. This it was granted me to see by a spiritual mental image. 1748, 29 July.
2703. IN ORDER THAT MEN OR SPIRITS MAY BE IN AN ANGELIC AND CELESTIAL SPHERE, IT IS NECESSARY THAT THEY BE IN PERSUASION FROM [de] THE LORD.
It is known that science ought to precede, but science does nothing, next what is intellectual which is the first of persuasion, then persuasion thence, which is only intellectual, then interior persuasion: Unless man is in the interior persuasion of things which belong to faith in the Lord, he cannot be in an angelic and celestial sphere, for there are repugnances [contrarieties], which repugnances expel him, yea distress [him]. It was granted [me] to see this in spiritual idea. - 1748, July 29.
2703. Ut homo aut spiritus sit in sphaera angelica, ac coelesti, in persuasione oportet esse de Domino
Notum est, quod scientia praecedere debeat, sed scientia nihil facit, tum quod intellectuale, quod est primum persuasionis, dein persuasio inde, quae modo est intellectualis, tum persuasio interior [vide 2671b]; nisi homo in persuasione interiori est rerum quae sunt fidei in Dominum, non potest esse in sphaera angelica ac coelesti, nam repugnantiae sunt, quae repugnantiae eum expellunt, imo angunt, hoc idea spirituali videre dabatur. 1748, 29 Julius.