505. And they were cast upon the earth.- That this signifies progression towards the lower parts, where also the evil were, is evident from the signification of being cast upon the earth, said in reference to the hail and fire mingled with blood, for this took place when the first angel sounded, as denoting to proceed towards the lower parts, where the evil were gathered together, with whom also were some of the good. That progression towards the lower parts is signified, is because the changes and desolations, signified by the third part of the trees and all the green grass being burnt up, took place progressively towards the lower parts where the evil were, as stated above. The reason why these lower parts are here meant by the earth is, that those things were seen by John when he was in the spirit, that is, when he was in the spiritual world. For a man's spirit when its sight is opened to him, sees those things which are in the spiritual world, where there are mountains, hills, and valleys; there upon the mountains and hills are the angelic heavens, but those who have not yet been taken up into heaven are in the valleys below, where therefore the evil mingled with the good were at this time; therefore those valleys, which were below the mountains and hills, are here meant by the earth. Consequently by being cast upon the earth, signifies out of the heavens towards the lower parts. But when mountains, hills, and valleys, taken together, are called earths, then "earth" signifies the church there.

322. The four animals and the four-and-twenty elders fell down before the Lamb. That this signifies the acknowledgment and hence the glorification of the Lord by the angels of the higher heavens, is evident from the signification of the four animals and the four-and-twenty elders, as denoting, in general, the whole heaven, but specifically the inmost heavens, consequently, the angels of the higher heavens (concerning which see above, n. 313); here specifically the angels of those heavens, because in what follows glorification is made by the angels of the lower heavens; and from the signification of their falling down before the Lamb, as denoting acknowledgment from a humble heart. (That to fall down signifies humiliation, and then reception and acknowledgment of heart, may be seen above, n. 290.) That the acknowledgment of the Lord's Divine Human is meant is evident, for this is signified by the Lamb (see above, n. [314] ¹ ). What the higher heavens are, and what the lower heavens are, shall here be explained in a few words. There are three heavens; the third or inmost heaven is where the angels are who are in celestial love; the second or middle heaven is where the angels are who are in spiritual love; the first or ultimate heaven is where the angels who are in spiritual-natural love. The third or inmost heaven is conjoined with the second or middle by intermediate angels, who are called celestial-spiritual and spiritual-celestial angels; these, together with the angels of the third or inmost heaven, constitute the higher heavens; but the rest in the second or middle heaven, together with those who are in the first or ultimate heaven, constitute the lower heavens. The four animals signify specifically the third or inmost heaven, and the four-and-twenty elders the second or middle heaven, which is conjoined to the third or inmost; thus together they signify the higher heavens. (Concerning the intermediate angels, who are called celestial-spiritual, and spiritual-celestial, and concerning the conjunction of the third heaven with the second by them, see the Arcana Coelestia 1577, 1824, 2184, 4047, 4286, 4585, 4592, 4594, 6435, 6526, 8787, 8801, 9671.)

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