505. And they were cast upon the earth.- That this signifies progression towards the lower parts, where also the evil were, is evident from the signification of being cast upon the earth, said in reference to the hail and fire mingled with blood, for this took place when the first angel sounded, as denoting to proceed towards the lower parts, where the evil were gathered together, with whom also were some of the good. That progression towards the lower parts is signified, is because the changes and desolations, signified by the third part of the trees and all the green grass being burnt up, took place progressively towards the lower parts where the evil were, as stated above. The reason why these lower parts are here meant by the earth is, that those things were seen by John when he was in the spirit, that is, when he was in the spiritual world. For a man's spirit when its sight is opened to him, sees those things which are in the spiritual world, where there are mountains, hills, and valleys; there upon the mountains and hills are the angelic heavens, but those who have not yet been taken up into heaven are in the valleys below, where therefore the evil mingled with the good were at this time; therefore those valleys, which were below the mountains and hills, are here meant by the earth. Consequently by being cast upon the earth, signifies out of the heavens towards the lower parts. But when mountains, hills, and valleys, taken together, are called earths, then "earth" signifies the church there.

276. Verses 6-8. And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four animals full of eyes before and behind. And the first animal was like a lion, and the second animal like a calf, and the third animal had a face as a man, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. And the four animals had each by itself six wings roundabout; and they were full of eyes within, and they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.

"And in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four animals full of eyes before and behind," signifies the guardianship and providence of the Lord to prevent the interior heavens being approached, except by the good of love and of charity, that lower things thence depending may be in order.

"And the first animal was like a lion," signifies the appearance in ultimates of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as to the power and effect; "and the second animal like a calf," signifies the appearance in ultimates of Divine good as to defence; "and the third animal had a face as a man," signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Lord's Divine guardianship and providence as to wisdom; "and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle," signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine guardianship and providence as to intelligence, and as to circumspection in every direction.

"And the four animals had, each by itself six wings roundabout," signifies the appearance of the Divine spiritual in every direction around the Divine celestial; "and they were full of eyes within," signifies the Divine providence and guardianship; "and they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy," signifies what is most holy proceeding from the Lord; "Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come," signifies who is infinite and eternal.