45. This was how people who lived in most ancient times envisaged matters of the understanding and those of the will. Among the Prophets therefore, and consistently throughout the Old Testament Word, like matters are represented by various kinds of living creatures. There are two kinds of beasts - evil ones, because they are harmful, and good ones, because they are gentle. Evil [and harmful] things in man were meant by such beasts as bears, wolves, and dogs, while good and gentle things were meant by beasts such as calves, sheep, and lambs. As the subject here is those persons who are to be regenerated, 'the beasts' are good and gentle ones, which mean affections. Things of a baser nature that derive from the body are called 'wild animals of the earth'. These are desires and pleasures.

1095. Verse 2. And he cried out in strength with a great voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird.

"And he cried out in strength with a great voice," signifies manifestation before heaven and in the church from joy of heart. "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great" signifies that the Last Judgment was accomplished upon those who had profaned the holy things of heaven and of the church by the dominion which they claimed to themselves over them; "and is become a habitation of demons," signifies where there are dire falsities from the profaned truths and goods of the church; "and a hold of every unclean spirit," signifies where there is nothing but evils from the adulterated goods of the Word; "and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird," signifies where there is nothing but falsities from the falsified truths of the Word.