2445. That to “rain” denotes to be damned, is evident from the signification of “rain.” In the Word “rain” in the genuine sense signifies a blessing, and therefore also salvation; but in the opposite sense a curse, and therefore also damnation. That it signifies a blessing and therefore salvation, is evident from many passages; but that in the opposite sense it signifies a curse, and therefore damnation, is manifest from the following.

In Isaiah:

There shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and a covert from flood, and from rain (Isaiah 4:6).

In Ezekiel:

Say to them that daub on what is untempered, that it shall fall; there shall be an overflowing rain, and ye hailstones shall fall; an overflowing rain shall there be in Mine anger, and hailstones in wrath unto the consummation (Ezekiel 13:11, 13).

In David:

He made their rains hail, a fire of flames in their land, and He smote their vine and their fig-tree (Psalms 105:32-33); concerning Egypt, of which we read in Moses:

Jehovah gave thunders and hail, and fire quivered upon the land; and Jehovah made it rain hail upon the land of Egypt (Exodus 9:23-24).

1307. And its head in heaven. That this signifies even to their having dominion over the things that are in heaven, follows from what has been said. For “to have the head in heaven” is to exalt self even that far, as is evident from the description of Babel in other places in the Word; and from what has already been said about “lifting up the head” n. 257). The love of self is that which is least of all in accord with the heavenly life; for all evils come from it, not only hatreds, but also revenges, cruelties, and adulteries; and still less does it accord when it enters into worship, and profanes it. And therefore the hells consist of such persons, who the more they would lift up their heads into heaven, the deeper they press themselves down, and the more frightful are the penalties into which they precipitate themselves.