607. Lifted up his hand to heaven.- That this signifies affirmation before the angels concerning the state of the church, is evident from the signification of lifting up the hand to heaven, as denoting affirmation before angels; that this is concerning the state of the church is evident from that which follows. That affirmation before the angels is here signified by lifting up the hand to heaven, may be concluded from this fact, that affirmations are made by raising the hands to heaven, also from this, that he sware by Him that liveth unto the ages of the ages that there should be time no longer, as immediately follows. To swear is an expression of affirmation, and the time that should be no longer signifies the state of the church.

477. Therefore are they before the throne of God.- This signifies that they are therefore conjoined to the Lord, as is evident from the signification of being before the throne of God, which denotes to be conjoined to the Lord. That conjunction with the Lord is signified by standing round about the throne of God, may be seen above (n. 462); the signification of being before the throne of God is similar. Before the throne of God means before the Lord, for the Lord was upon the throne, as stated in the 17th verse as follows: "The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them."