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.

452. And out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. This symbolically means that interiorly regarded, their thoughts and discourses contained nothing else, and issuing from them was nothing but a love of self and the world, which is a characteristic trait of the will, a conceit in their own intelligence, which is a characteristic trait of the intellect, and the lusts attendant on evil and falsity, which are a characteristic trait flowing from them both.

Out of their mouths means from their thoughts and discourses. Fire symbolizes a love of self and the world, which is a characteristic trait of the will (nos. 450, 468, 494). Smoke symbolizes a conceit in one's own intelligence, which is a characteristic trait of the intellect, emanating from the love of self and the world like smoke from a fire (no. 422). And brimstone symbolizes the lusts attendant on evil and falsity, which are a characteristic trait flowing from them both.

This is not, however, apparent from these people's discourses in public in the world. But it is clearly apparent to angels in heaven. Consequently we say that their thoughts and discourses, interiorly regarded, are of this character.

Fire symbolizes hellish love, and brimstone the lusts flowing from that love through a conceit in one's own intelligence, in the following places:

I will rain down on him... fire and brimstone. (Ezekiel 38:22)

Upon the wicked (Jehovah) will rain... fire and brimstone... (Psalms 11:6)

...the day of Jehovah's vengeance... Its streams shall be turned into pitch, and its dust into brimstone...; its smoke shall ascend forever. (Isaiah 34:8-10)

On the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone... Even so will it be in the day the Son of Man is revealed. (Luke 17:29-30. Cf. Genesis 19:24)

If anyone worships the beast and his image..., he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone... (Revelation 14:9.10)

The beast, the false prophet, and the devil were cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 19:20; 20:10; 21:8).

The breath of Jehovah, like a stream of brimstone, shall kindle (the pyre). (Isaiah 30:33)

The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it shall not be sown, nor shall it sprout..., like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah... (Deuteronomy 29:22-23)

Brimstone is scattered on the habitation (of the wicked). (Job 18:15)