4785. 'For I will go down to my son, to the grave mourning' means that the Ancient Church was perishing. This is clear from the representation of Jacob - who says this about himself - as the Ancient Church, dealt with above in 4680, 4700, 4772; from the representation of Joseph, to whom 'my son' refers here, as the Divine Spiritual or Divine Truth, dealt with above; and from the meaning of 'going down to the grave mourning' as dying, and in reference to the Church, and also to Divine Truth, as perishing.

In Genesis 1:16, this signifies goods and truths, or, in the opposite sense, evils and falsities. (Arcana Coelestia 1808)

In Matthew 24:29, this signifies knowledge of faith which falls from heaven. (Arcana Coelestia 32, 1984[3])

'Stars' signify the knowledge of truth and good. 'Stars' are frequently mentioned in the Word, and always signify goods and truths, but in an opposite sense, evils and falsities. In the same way, they signify angels, or societies of angels, in the opposite sense, evil spirits and their bands. When they signify angels, or societies of angels, then they are fixed stars, but when they signify evil spirits and their fellowships, then they are wandering stars. 'The seven stars' in Revelation 1, denote the knowledge of everything pertaining to good and truth, and so every variety of good and truth.

(References: Apocalypse Revealed 51)