602. And when he cried out the seven thunders spake their voices, signifies instruction from heaven and perception respecting the last state of the church. This is evident from the signification of "speaking the voices," as being to instruct, here from heaven, because it is said "the seven thunders spake;" also from the signification of "the seven thunders," as being Divine truth in respect to understanding and perception (See above, n. 273). The thunders are said to be "seven," because "seven" signifies all things and fullness, and is used when things holy are treated of (See above, n. 20, 24, 257, 300). It was the last state of the church about which John was instructed from heaven by voices like thunder, since that state is treated of in this chapter, as is evident from the words that follow: "In the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God shall also be finished; as He hath declared the good tidings to His servants the prophets" (verse 7); and that teaching shall go on in the church until that state, which is the end, shall come, is meant by the last words of this chapter, "Thou must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings" (verse 11). From this it can be seen that "the seven thunders spake their voices" signifies instruction from heaven and perception respecting the last state of the church.

2115. Du fils étranger, signifie tous ceux qui sont rationnels hors de l'Eglise : on le voit par la signification du fils étranger, en ce que ce sont ceux qui sont hors de l'Eglise, ainsi qu'il a été dit ci-dessus, numéro 2049, ainsi en ce que ce sont les Nations qui n'ont pas la Parole, et qui par cette raison ne connaissent, rien du Seigneur ; que ceux-là soient également sauvés, quand ils sont rationnels, c'est-à-dire, lorsqu'ils vivent entre eux dans la charité ou l'amour mutuel et qu'ils ont reçu selon leur religiosité quelque chose de la conscience, c'est ce qui a été montré dans la Première Partie, numéros 593, 932, 1032, 1089, 1327, 1328.