In most cases, the meaning of "before" is pretty straightforward, both as a way of assessing relative time, and in its use meaning "in someone's presence." It takes on a deeper significance, though, when used in connection with the Lord. To be "before" the Lord means not just in His presence, but also receiving the desire for good and the understanding of truth from Him, and living according to them. And when used as an assessment of time in connection with the Lord, "before" means "from eternity," and refers to a spiritual state rather than time as we experience it.

(Odkazy: Apocalypse Revealed 366, 617; Arcana Coelestia 6983, 8439, 9888)

365. Of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues. This symbolizes all in the Christian world who have some religion springing from goodness and are guided by truths from doctrine.

All nations and tribes mean people who have some religion springing from goodness, who are those of the lowest heaven (no. 363) - nations meaning people prompted by goodness (nos. 920, 921), and a tribe, religion (no. 349). Peoples and tongues mean people who are guided by truths from doctrine - peoples meaning people guided by truths (no. 483), and a tongue, doctrine (no. 282).

Thus "all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues," taken together, symbolize in the spiritual sense all people who have some religion springing from goodness and are guided by truths from doctrine.