412. Then the fourth angel sounded. (8:12) This symbolizes an examination and disclosure of the state of the church in people for whom religion is faith alone, that they are caught up in the evils accompanying falsity and in the falsities accompanying evil.

That this is the symbolic meaning follows from what follows next, understood in the spiritual sense.

To sound a trumpet here means, symbolically, to examine and expose, as in nos. 398, 402, and 407, above.

124. And ye shall have affliction ten days, signifies that infestation and temptation therefrom will last for some time. This is evident from the signification of "affliction," as being infestation and temptation of those who are in the spiritual affection of truth by those who are in falsities; (that this is meant by "affliction" is clear, since it is said in reference to such;) also from the signification of "ten days," as being duration for some time. Duration for some time is signified by "ten days," for the reason that the entire duration of infestation and temptation is signified by "forty days" (See Arcana Coelestia 2959, 7985, 7986), and "ten" means some part thereof; for all numbers in the Word signify things or states, with variety according to the relation to other numbers. The number "ten," without reference to other numbers, signifies what is full or much (Arcana Coelestia 3107, 4638); but in reference to a greater number, it signifies as much as is needed for uses (n. 9757); so here it signifies duration for some time, thus as use demands. (That all numbers in the Word signify things or states, see Arcana Coelestia 482, 487, 647, 755, 813, 1963, 1988, 2075, 2252, 3252, 4264, 4495, 4670, 5265, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10217, 10253.) He that considers, can see that by the "affliction of ten days" here, which they are to have who are cast into prison by the devil, something else must be meant than ten days' affliction.