979. Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and just are thy judgments. That this signifies that these things take place, because from Divine Good and Divine truth are all essence, life, and power, is evident from the signification of Lord God, as denoting the Lord as to Divine Good and as to Divine truth. For the Lord is called Lord from Divine good, and God from Divine truth; and from the signification of Almighty, as denoting to be, to live, and to be able from Himself (see n. 43, 689, 939); hence also denoting that He is the Esse, the Life, and the power of all; for these things are the Lord from Himself, but are man from the Lord; and from the signification of Thy judgments, as denoting things accomplished, namely, those that are mentioned above in verse 6. That this is meant by judgments, is evident from verse 5, where it is said, Thou art just, O Lord, and holy, because Thou hast judged these things. These judgments are called true from the Divine truth, and are called just from the Divine Good; from these two all things are effected. That just is said of the Divine Good may be seen above (n. 972).

These words, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and just are thy judgments," involve the same as the words in verse 5, namely, "Thou art just, O Lord, who is, and who was, and art holy, because thou hast judged these things." The only difference is, that the latter were spoken from the Lord's spiritual kingdom, but the former, from His celestial kingdom. "Even so," is an expression confirmative of the statements from the spiritual kingdom; that they involve the same things, see above (n. 972, 973, 974).

Continuation concerning the Fifth Precept:-

[2] From what has been said above, it is now evident what is meant in the Word by good works, that is, all works that are done by man while evils are being removed as sins. For the works afterwards done are not done by man otherwise than as of himself, for they are done from the Lord. And the works done from the Lord are all good, and are called the goods of life, the goods of charity, and good works. For example: all the judgments of a judge who regards justice as the end, and venerates and loves it as Divine, and who also detests, as infamous, judgments given for the sake of rewards, friendship, or favour. In acting in this way he consults the good of his country by causing justice and judgment to reign therein as in heaven; and thus he consults the peace of all harmless citizens, and guards them from the violence of evil-doers; all these are good works. Also the various offices of administrators, and the dealings of merchants are all good works, when they shun unlawful gains as sins against the Divine laws.

When a man shuns evils as sins, he then daily learns what a good work is, and the love of doing good and the love of knowing truths for the sake of good grow with him. For so far as he knows truths, so far he can perform works more fully and more wisely, whence his works become more truly good.

Cease therefore to inquire in thyself, "What are the good works that I shall do, or what good shall I do that I may receive life eternal?" Only abstain from evils as sins, and look to the Lord, and the Lord will teach and lead thee.

915. (Verse 18) And another angel went out from the altar. That this signifies manifestation from the Lord concerning the devastation of the church as to the good of love and charity, is evident from the signification of an angel going out, as denoting manifestation from the Lord (see above, n. 914); and from the signification of an altar, as denoting, in the highest sense, the Divine good of the Divine love; and thence in a relative sense the good of love to the Lord, and the good of charity towards the neighbour (concerning which see above, n. 391, 490).

The reason of this signification of the altar shall also be here explained in a few words. In the church instituted among the sons of Israel, there were two chief things of worship - the tent of the assembly and the altar; and afterwards the temple and the altar. In the temple the Word was taught, and upon the altar the sacrifices were offered; these were the chief things of their worship. And because the church instituted among them was representative, therefore, those two represented all things of the church in summary; all of which have reference to the truth of doctrine from the Word, and to the good of love and charity; from these two, also, arises all worship in the church. And since all the representatives of the church looked to the Lord as the end and the cause - thus to whom and from whom all things are - therefore by the temple was represented the Lord as to Divine truth; and by the altar the Lord as to Divine good. Concerning this representation of the temple, see above (n. 220); and of the altar (n. 391, 490).

Now because all things of the church, and thence of worship, have reference to those two things, namely, to the truth of doctrine and to the good of love, and all things of heaven to the Divine truth and the Divine good - both from the Lord; and, since, when these are vastated, there is no longer any church, therefore two angels were seen by John, by whom the devastation of the church as to both was represented.