8285. It devoureth them as stubble. That this signifies the consequent devastation and damnation from themselves, is evident from the signification of “devouring,” as being to consume, and in the spiritual sense to devastate and damn, for the consumption of those who are in evil is devastation and damnation, because they are then not in any truth, but in mere falsities from evil, consequently they are no longer in any spiritual life. It is said “as stubble,” because a complete vastation, that is, devastation, is signified.