443. And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet. (9:14) This symbolizes a command by the Lord out of the spiritual heaven to those who were to examine and expose the state of life among those people who were not so wise.

A voice symbolizes a Divine command. The golden altar, or the altar upon which incense was burned, symbolizes the spiritual heaven (nos. 277, 392). The four horns of the altar symbolize its power (no. 270), here the power to release the four angels that were bound at the river Euphrates, as we are told next. The sixth angel having a trumpet symbolizes a directive to those on whom was enjoined the task of examining and disclosing these things (no. 442).