In most cases, the meaning of "before" is pretty straightforward, both as a way of assessing relative time, and in its use meaning "in someone's presence." It takes on a deeper significance, though, when used in connection with the Lord. To be "before" the Lord means not just in His presence, but also receiving the desire for good and the understanding of truth from Him, and living according to them. And when used as an assessment of time in connection with the Lord, "before" means "from eternity," and refers to a spiritual state rather than time as we experience it.

(Referenties: Apocalypse Revealed 366, 617; Arcana Coelestia 6983, 8439, 9888)

369. And all the angels stood around the throne, with the elders and the four living creatures. (7:11) This symbolizes all in the whole of heaven listening and doing what the Lord commands.

The living creatures and elders mean the angels of the higher heavens, as above, and also in no. 808 below. The angels here, however, mean the angels of the lower heavens, thus all in the whole of heaven. To stand means, symbolically, to hear and do what the Lord commands (no. 366).