479. Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book that is open in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the earth." (10:8) This symbolizes a commandment from heaven for people to assimilate that doctrine, but in order that John might show how it would be received in the church before those meant by the dragon, the beast and the false prophet were removed.

The voice which John heard from heaven now speaking to him again means the voice that told him to seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered and not to write them (verse 4), which symbolically meant that the aforesaid doctrine regarding the Lord would not be accepted until after those people meant by the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet had been cast out of the world of spirits, because it would be dangerous before then (see no. 473 above). The reality of this is clearly shown now by John's eating the little book, as described next.

That the little book means doctrine regarding the Lord may be seen in nos. 469, 472. And that the angel standing on the sea and on the land means the Lord may be seen in nos. 465, 470.