Apocalypse Revealed #396
396. And there were voices, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. This symbolically means that after a communication with them was opened, the angels heard reasonings about faith alone and arguments in support of it, and they perceived the state of the church among those below as heading for destruction.
Lightnings, thunderings and voices symbolize states of enlightenment, perception, and instruction following an influx from heaven, as can be seen in no. 236 above. Here, however - in reference to people caught up in faith alone, who had no enlightenment, perception or instruction by virtue of an influx from heaven - the voices, thunderings and lightnings symbolize reasonings about faith alone, and arguments and proofs in support of it.
Earthquakes symbolize changes in the state of the church (no. 331), here that the state of the church among those below was perceived as heading for destruction. For earthquakes occur in the world of spirits when the state of the church in its societies is corrupted and turned upside down.
The angel threw the censer to the earth before the seven angels began to sound with their trumpets, in order that the influx might open a communication between the angels in the spiritual heaven and the spirits below who were caught up in faith alone. It was owing to that communication that reasonings about that faith arose, and proofs in support of it, and these were also audible and perceptible. That is why we say that after the communication was opened, the angels heard and perceived them.
Revelation 8
1
When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2
I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3
Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.
4
The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.
5
The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake.
6
The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
7
The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up, and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
8
The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood,
9
and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.
10
The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters.
11
The name of the star is called "Wormwood." One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
12
The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars; so that one third of them would be darkened, and the day wouldn't shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way.
13
I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!"
