394. And the smoke of the incense for the prayers of the saints ascended before God from the angel's hand. (8:4) This symbolizes their protection by the Lord.

The smoke of incense ascending before God symbolizes something accepted and pleasing. Therefore David says similarly,

Let my prayers be accepted as incense before You. (Psalms 141:2)

That was because the smoke of incense was fragrant owing to the aromatic substances of which incense was composed - stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense (Exodus 30:34). Moreover, the fragrances of these aromatic substances correspond to qualities connected with spiritual love, or with charity and the attendant faith. In heaven, indeed, angels experience the most fragrant aromas corresponding to their perceptions arising from their love. Consequently we also read in many places in the Word that Jehovah smelled a sweet odor. ¹

That this symbolizes protection by the Lord follows from what we said just above in no. 393.

Poznámky pod čarou:

In Genesis 15:17, this signifies the thickest falsity. (Arcana Coelestia 1861)

In Genesis 19:28, this signifies the state of falsity from the state of evil within the church. (Arcana Coelestia 2456)

In Exodus 19:18, this signifies the appearance of heavenly good in the greatest obscurity. (Arcana Coelestia 8819)

'Smoke,' as in Exodus 20, signifies divine truth, or the Word in its external form.

'Smoke of a great furnace,' as in Revelation 9:2, signifies the falsities of lust streaming out from evil loves.

In Revelation 9:17, 'smoke' signifies the pride of self-ascribed intelligence.

'Smoke of her burning,' as in Revelation 18:18, signifies damnation as a result of adulterating and profaning the Word.

In general, 'smoke' signifies divine truth in extremes, because 'fire' which gives off smoke, signifies love. 'Smoke' also signifies the same thing as 'cloud' in many places.

(Odkazy: Apocalypse Explained 9 [2]; Apocalypse Revealed 674-1; Revelation 2, 4, 8, 8:4)