910. Crying with a great voice to him that sat upon the cloud. That this signifies annunciation after exploration or visitation, is evident from the signification of crying with a great voice, as denoting annunciation, of which we shall speak presently. The reason why this is after visitation is, that it is announced to Him who sat upon the cloud that the hour for reaping was come, because the harvest of the earth was ripe. That by Him who sat upon the cloud, is meant the Lord in the heavens, may be seen above (n. 906). The reason why by the great voice of this angel, is signified annunciation concerning the state of the church after visitation is, that the voice involves those things that are said, which are those that follow. It is said, annunciation after exploration or visitation, because visitation precedes separation, and after such separation the Last Judgment takes place.
Visitation is mentioned in many passages, and signifies exploration of the quality of the state of the church before judgment. Not that such visitation actually exists, only that, previous to judgment, the angels of heaven begin to lament on account of the increasing power of the evil from hell, and to supplicate the Lord for aid; for the Lord knows all things, because He is omniscient. But still visitation is described by the mission of their angels and by their annunciation. As also, when the Last Judgment is at hand:
The Lord "will send his angels with a great voice of a trumpet, who shall gather together his elect from the four winds" (Matthew 24:31).
Not that any angels are sent to gather them together, but that the Lord by means of His Divine truth does this. For by angels, as we said before, are signified Divine truths.
Similarly:
That the apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30).
Not that the apostles are to sit upon thrones, and to judge; but the Lord by means of His Divine truth. For by the apostles, as by the angels, are signified Divine truths, because by them all things pertaining to the church are signified; and so in other places.
But concerning visitation, see what is written in the Arcana Coelestia, as follows, that visitation is an inquiry into the quality of the state of love and faith in the church; and that this precedes judgment (n. 2242). That the day of visitation is the last state of the church in general (n. 10509, 10510); thus, when the Old Church is desolated, and the New Church established (n. 6588). And that it is the damnation of the unfaithful, and the salvation of the faithful (n. 6588, 10623). That visitation also is the Advent of the Lord, because the Lord then comes to judgment (n. 6895).
