2445. That 'raining on' means to be condemned is clear from the meaning of 'rain'. In the Word in the genuine sense 'rain' means a blessing and also consequent salvation, but in the contrary sense it means a curse and also consequent condemnation. Its meaning blessing and consequent salvation is clear from many places, but that it means in the contrary sense a curse and consequent condemnation is evident from the following: In Isaiah,

The tabernacle will be for a shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and shelter from deluge and from rain. Isaiah 4:6.

In Ezekiel,

Say to those who daub it with what is not suitable that it will fall. There will be deluging rain from which you, O hailstones, will fall. There will be deluging rain in My anger, and hailstones in wrath to consume it. Ezekiel 13:11, 13.

In David,

He made their rain into hail, a flaming fire in their land; and He smote their vines and their fig trees. Psalms 105:32-33.

This refers to Egypt, concerning which the following is said in Moses,

Jehovah sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down over the earth, and Jehovah rained hail over the land of Egypt. Exodus 9:23-24.

1307. 'And its head in heaven' means to the extent of their ruling over things in heaven. This follows from what is said above, for 'having one's head in heaven' is being exalted even as far as that, as is also clear from the description of Babel in other parts of the Word and from what has been stated already in 257 about 'lifting up the head'. Self-love is the love which agrees least of all with heavenly life. Indeed it is the source of every form of evil, not only of hatred but also of revenge, cruelty, and adultery. It agrees still less when it enters into worship and profanes it. The hells therefore consist of such persons who, the more they wish to rear their heads up into heaven, the more deeply they force themselves down into hell and the harsher the punishments they plunge themselves into.