184. And the seven stars. That this signifies from whom are all the knowledges of truth and good, is evident from the signification of seven, as being what is full, and all things (concerning which see above, n. 20, 24), and from the signification of stars, as being the knowledges (cognitiones) of truth and good (concerning which see also above, n. 72). The reason why it is said to the angel of the church in Sardis, these things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars, is, that the subject treated of is those within the church whose life is moral but not spiritual, inasmuch as they lightly esteem the knowledges of spiritual things, and thence intelligence and wisdom. For by the seven spirits of God are signified all the truths of heaven and the church; and by the seven stars the knowledges of truth and good, by which two things all intelligence and wisdom are acquired. To the angel of each church something concerning the Lord is premised, which indicates the subject treated of, as may be seen above (n.113).

4710. 'Go, and I will send you to them' means that it would teach Divine spiritual forms of good. This is clear from the representation of 'Joseph' as the Lord's Divine Spiritual, dealt with in 4669, 4708. When this Spiritual is said 'to be sent', the teaching of Divine spiritual forms of good is meant. In the internal sense 'being sent' means coming out and going forth, 2397, and also at the same time means teaching; here therefore Divine spiritual forms of good which go forth from the Lord's Divine Spiritual are meant Divine spiritual forms of good are attributes of love and charity, whereas Divine spiritual truths are attributes of faith derived from love and charity. Anyone who teaches those forms of good also teaches these truths, for these truths derive from and have reference to those forms of good. The fact that 'being sent' means going forth and teaching may be seen from many places in the Word. It may be seen in the phrase used many times, that the Lord 'was sent from the Father', meaning that He came forth from Him, that is, from Divine Good. It may also be seen in references to the Lord sending the Paraclete or the Spirit of truth, meaning that holy truth goes forth from Him. The prophets too 'were sent', and by this is meant that they were to teach that which goes forth from the Lord. Anyone may confirm these matters from the Word, for they occur frequently there.