625. For they are without blemish before the throne of God. This symbolically means, because they are governed by truths springing from goodness from the Lord.

Being without blemish symbolizes people who are not caught up in falsities, who accordingly are governed by truths; for blemishes symbolize falsities, especially falsities springing from evil. The throne of God symbolizes the Lord and heaven (nos. 14, 233). And because people governed by good from the Lord all appear as though governed by truths, therefore their being without blemish before the throne of God means symbolically that they are governed by truths that spring from goodness received from the Lord.

The reason is that people who are led by the Lord are all kept in a state of goodness received from Him, and from that goodness springs naught but truth. Even if falsity springs from it, it is apparent falsity, and this the Lord regards as akin to truth, being only of another color through a modification of the light of heaven. For the goodness that is present within it thus qualifies it.

It is possible, indeed, for falsity to spring from evil, and also for falsity to spring from goodness. The two may appear in outward form alike, but still they are totally different, because that which lies within forms the essence of each and produces its character.

Since blemishes symbolize falsities, therefore it was forbidden for any of the offspring of Aaron who had a defect to approach the altar or to enter within the veil (Leviticus 21:17-23). This meant that they were to be without blemish.

Moreover, the Israelites were also forbidden to offer a sacrifice of cattle, calves, sheep, goats, or lambs which had a blemish (Leviticus 22:19-25). The blemishes, too, are listed there.

14. And from the seven spirits who are before His throne. This symbolically means, from the whole of heaven, where the Lord is in His Divine truth, and where His Divine truth is received.

The seven spirits mean all who are governed by Divine truth, and in an abstract sense, Divine truth itself. The number seven in the Word means all things or all people, as may be seen in no. 10 above, and the throne means the whole of heaven, as will be seen shortly. Therefore "before His throne" means where His Divine truth is; for heaven is not heaven in consequence of the angels' own qualities, but owing to the Lord's Divinity, as we have shown many times in Angelic Wisdom Regarding Divine Providence and Divine Love and Wisdom.

That the Lord's throne symbolizes heaven is apparent from the following passages:

Thus said Jehovah: "The heavens are My throne...." (Isaiah 66:1)

Jehovah has established His throne in the heavens... (Psalms 103:19)

He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God... (Matthew 23:22)

Above the firmament that was over the head (of the cherubim), in appearance like a sapphire stone, was the likeness of a throne, and on (it)...the appearance of a man... (Ezekiel 1:26, cf. 10:1)

The expanse over the head of the cherubim means heaven. Further, in the book of Revelation:

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit... on My throne... (Revelation 3:21)

To be on His throne means to be in heaven. Specifically it means to be where His Divine truth reigns. Consequently, where judgment is the subject, it is also said that the Lord will sit upon His throne, for judgment is effected by means of truths.