Apocalypse Revealed # 286
286. Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. (5:11) This symbolizes a confession and glorification of the Lord by angels of the lower heavens.
It may be seen in no. 275 above that a confession and glorification of the Lord was made by angels of the three heavens - by angels of the higher heavens in verses 8 to 10, and so now by angels of the lower heavens in verses 11, 12. Thus the voice of the angels around the throne means a confession and glorification of the Lord by angels of the lower heavens.
John also saw then the living creatures and the elders along with the angels, because the living creatures and elders symbolize angels of the higher heavens (no. 275), and the lower heavens never act independently of the higher heavens, but conjointly with them. For the Lord flows in directly from Himself into all the heavens, thus also into the lower ones, but at the same time indirectly through the higher heavens into the lower ones.
This then is the reason that John first saw and heard the living creatures and elders by themselves, and afterward together with the angels.
Isaiah 13:9-13
9
Behold, the day of Yahweh comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy its sinners out of it.
10
For the stars of the sky and its constellations will not give their light. The sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine.
11
I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will humble the haughtiness of the terrible.
12
I will make people more rare than fine gold, even a person than the pure gold of Ophir.
13
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place in the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, and in the day of his fierce anger.
