302. (5:2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice. That this signifies exploration from the influx of the Lord into heaven, is evident from the signification of a strong angel, as denoting heaven (concerning which in what follows) and from the signification of proclaiming with a great voice, as denoting exploration from the influx of the Lord, - exploration that is, as to whether any one can know the states of the life of all in heaven and on the earth in general and in particular, for this is the subject here treated of. This exploration is signified by proclaiming, and the influx of the Lord is signified by a great voice. For voice, when said of the Lord, signifies all the truth of the Word, of doctrine and of faith from Him; and when said of heaven and the church, all the thought and affection thence. And because everything true and good, that angels in heaven, and men in whom the church is, think, and by which they are affected, is from the influx of the Lord, therefore this is here signified by a great voice; for it is well known, that no one can be affected with good from the love of good, and think truth from the love of truth, of himself, but that it flows in from heaven, that is, through heaven from the Lord; and because this is the case, by a great voice is signified the influx of the Lord; that voice in the Word signifies the truth of the Word, of doctrine and of faith, as well as everything announced from the Word, may be seen above, n. 261, and in the Arcana Coelestia 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926; and that it signifies the interior affection of truth and good, and the thought thence, n. 10454. The reason why a strong angel signifies heaven, is, because the whole angelic heaven before the Lord is as one man, or as one angel; in like manner each society of heaven; therefore by an angel in the Word is not meant an angel, but an entire angelic society, as by Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Here, therefore, by a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, is signified the influx of the Lord into the whole heaven; that it is into the whole heaven, is also evident from what follows, for it is said, "And no one in heaven neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon." (That by the angels in the Word are meant entire societies of heaven, and, in the highest sense, the Lord as to the proceeding Divine truth, may be seen above, n.90, 130, 200; and that all heaven before the Lord is as one man, or as one angel, and also every society of heaven, in the work concerning Heaven and Hell 59-87.)
Isaiah 14
1
For Yahweh will have compassion on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land. The foreigner will join himself with them, and they will unite with the house of Jacob.
2
The peoples will take them, and bring them to their place. The house of Israel will possess them in Yahweh's land for servants and for handmaids. They will take as captives those whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
3
It will happen in the day that Yahweh will give you rest from your sorrow, from your trouble, and from the hard service in which you were made to serve,
4
that you will take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say, "How the oppressor has ceased! The golden city has ceased!"
5
Yahweh has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers,
6
who struck the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, who ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained.
7
The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet. They break out song.
8
Yes, the fir trees rejoice with you, with the cedars of Lebanon, saying, "Since you are humbled, no lumberjack has come up against us."
9
Sheol from beneath has moved for you to meet you at your coming. It stirs up the dead for you, even all the rulers of the earth. It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
10
They all will answer and ask you, "Have you also become as weak as we are? Have you become like us?"
11
Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, with the sound of your stringed instruments. Maggots are spread out under you, and worms cover you.
12
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low!
13
You said in your heart, "I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north!
14
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!"
15
Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit.
16
Those who see you will stare at you. They will ponder you, saying, "Is this the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms;
17
who made the world like a wilderness, and overthrew its cities; who didn't release his prisoners to their home?"
18
All the kings of the nations, sleep in glory, everyone in his own house.
19
But you are cast away from your tomb like an abominable branch, clothed with the slain, who are thrust through with the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit; like a dead body trodden under foot.
20
You will not join them in burial, because you have destroyed your land. You have killed your people. The seed of evildoers will not be named forever.
21
Prepare for slaughter of his children because of the iniquity of their fathers, that they not rise up and possess the earth, and fill the surface of the world with cities.
22
"I will rise up against them," says Yahweh of Armies, "and cut off from Babylon name and remnant, and son and son's son," says Yahweh.
23
"I will also make it a possession for the porcupine, and pools of water. I will sweep it with the broom of destruction," says Yahweh of Armies.
24
Yahweh of Armies has sworn, saying, "Surely, as I have thought, so shall it happen; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:
25
that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and tread him under foot on my mountains. Then his yoke will leave them, and his burden leave their shoulders.
26
This is the plan that is determined for the whole earth. This is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.
27
For Yahweh of Armies has planned, and who can stop it? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?"
28
This burden was in the year that king Ahaz died.
29
Don't rejoice, O Philistia, all of you, because the rod that struck you is broken; for out of the serpent's root an adder will emerge, and his fruit will be a fiery flying serpent.
30
The firstborn of the poor will eat, and the needy will lie down in safety; and I will kill your root with famine, and your remnant will be killed.
31
Howl, gate! Cry, city! You are melted away, Philistia, all of you; for smoke comes out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks.
32
What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That Yahweh has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people will take refuge.
