598. Verses 2-4. And he had in his hand a little book opened, and he set his right foot upon the sea, and the left upon the earth. And he cried out with a great voice, as a lion roareth; and when he cried out the seven thunders spoke their voices. And when the seven thunders had spoken their voices I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up the things which the seven thunders spoke, and write them not.

2. "And he had in his hand a little book opened," signifies the Word laid open (n. 599); "and he set his right foot upon the sea, and the left upon the earth," signifies the sense of the letter, which is natural, in which are all things of heaven and the church n. 600.

3. "And he cried out with a great voice, as a lion roareth," signifies the testification of grievous distress on account of the desolation of Divine truth in the church n. 601; "and when he cried out the seven thunders spake their voices," signifies instruction from heaven, and perception respecting the last state of the church (n. 602).

4. "And when the seven thunders had spoken their voices I was about to write," signifies that he wished to disclose that state (n. 603); "and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up the things which the seven thunders spake, and write them not," signifies command by the Lord that these things should be reserved, and not yet be disclosed (n. 604).