1849. That 'the nation also which they are going to serve' means the evil who oppress is clear from the meaning of 'nation' and of 'serving'. In the genuine sense 'a nation' means goods, or what amounts to the same, those who are good, for when goods are thus spoken of abstractedly they still have reference to the subject, which is a man, spirit, or angel. In the contrary sense however 'nation' means evils, or what amounts to the same, those who are evil, dealt with in 1159, 1258-1260. 'Serving' however, or slavery, means oppression, as in the previous verse.

1128. A certain person appeared who was enveloped so to speak with a cloud. On his face were many stars wandering around, which mean falsities. It was said that the descendants of the Ancient Church were such when it started to perish, especially among those who established worship by means of sacrifices and images.