909. Verse 15. And another angel went out from the temple, signifies exploration by the Lord of the state of the church in general. This is evident from what follows, namely, that the angel "cried out with a great voice, Send Thy sickle and reap, for the hour for Thee to reap is come, for the harvest of the earth is dried up," which signifies announcement after exploration that it is the time for gathering up the good and separating them from the evil, because this is the end of the church. Also from the signification of "the temple," as being heaven and the church, and the Divine proceeding from the Lord (See above, n. 220, 630, 700). The state of the church in general is here meant, because it is added that "two other angels went forth, one from the temple that is in heaven, and the other from the altar;" and these signify manifestations by the Lord respecting separation. Exploration by the Lord is signified, because an "angel" means in the Word something from the Lord (See above, n. 869, 878, 883); since angels can make no exploration of the state of the church from themselves, but only from the Lord.

869. Verse 6. And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, signifies manifestation everywhere from the Lord. This is evident from the signification of "an angel flying in the midst of heaven," as being manifestation from the Lord everywhere, since an "angel" signifies something from the Lord, for angels are not angels from themselves but from the Lord, for they are recipients of the Divine truth that proceeds from the Lord, and for this reason they signify in the Word Divine truths. Nor is heaven itself heaven from that which is the angel's own [proprium], but from the Divine that is with them (See above, n. 130, 200, 302). "To fly" signifies oversight and presence (See above, n. 282), but here manifestation; because it made manifest the Lord's coming, which is meant by "having the eternal gospel," and also the coming of the Last Judgment; and "in the midst" signifies everywhere (See above, n. 313); from which it is clear that "the angel flying in the midst of heaven" signifies manifestation everywhere from the Lord.