259. Verse 1. After these things I saw, and, behold, a door opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard, as it were of a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must come to pass hereafter.

"After these things I saw," signifies the understanding enlightened; "and, behold, a door opened in heaven," signifies the arcana of heaven revealed; "and the first voice which I heard" signifies revelation now of things to come; "as it were of a trumpet speaking with me," signifies what is clear and manifest; "saying, Come up hither," signifies elevation of mind, and attention: "and I will show thee things which must come to pass hereafter," signifies instruction concerning those things that will exist in the last time of the church.

In the Bible, things that are lower down, or under, physically, generally represent things that are lower or more external spiritually. In some cases, the lower things have been separated and put away to protect the good, but in others, it can mean that a less exalted idea or good desire is supporting a more exalted one.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 4564 [1-2], 8610, 9656)