307. So that people might kill one another. This symbolizes intestine hatreds, infestations by the hells, and inner anxieties.

These are symbolized inasmuch as to take peace from the earth means, symbolically, to take away charity, spiritual security, and inner rest, and a fiery red horse symbolizes an understanding of the Word extinguished as to goodness. For these result when there is no more goodness, and there is no more goodness when people do not know what good is.

It is apparent that intestine hatreds occur when there is no charity, that infestations by the hells occur when there is no spiritual security, and that inner anxieties occur when there is no rest from evils and their lusts. But they occur after death, if not before in the world.

That to kill has this symbolic meaning follows from the symbolism of a sword, which is the subject next.