10282. To your generations. That this signifies in all things of the church, is evident from the signification of “generations,” when said of the sons of Israel, by whom is signified the church, as being those who are of the church (see n. 10212); thus abstractedly from persons, the things which are of the church. It is said “abstractedly from persons,” because the Divine things which proceed from the Lord make the church, and nothing whatever of man does so; these Divine things do indeed flow in with man, but still they do not become man’s, but are the Lord’s with man. This being the case, when the angels are speaking together, they speak abstractedly from persons; and for the same reason neither does the name of any person enter heaven of whom mention is made in the Word, but the thing which is there signified by the person. (That all names of persons and of places in the Word signify actual things, see n. 1888, 4442, 5095, 5225; and that names do not enter heaven, n. 1876, 6516, 10216)

10212. To your generations. That this signifies those of the church who are in the truths and goods of faith, is evident from the signification of “generations” as being those things which are of faith and charity (see the places cited in n. 10204); that those are meant who are of the church is because genuine truths and goods of faith and love exist solely with these, for with these is the Word; and by the “sons of Israel,” whose generations are here meant, is signified the church (see the places cited in n. 9340).