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.

362. I heard the second animal saying. That this signifies out of the inmost heaven from the Lord, is clear from what was said above (n. 353); for by the animals are meant the cherubim, and the cherubim signify, in the highest sense, the Lord as to Providence, and as to defence, that He may not be approached except by means of the good of love; and in a respective sense, the inmost heaven (see above, n. 152, 277, 313, 322). The reason why the cherubim also signify the inmost heaven, is, because this heaven is in the good of love to the Lord, and the Lord cannot be approached except through the heavens, and into the inmost or third heaven there is not anything admitted which does not savour of the good of that heaven. The reason there were four animals or cherubim, is, because four signifies conjunction into one, and such is the conjunction with those who are there; for the Lord thus conjoins them by love to Him from Him. Hence it is that four were seen. From these things it is also evident, that the same is here meant by the second animal as by the first, and also by the third and fourth in the verses following. (That four signifies conjunction, may be seen in n. 1686, 8877, 9601, 9674.)