307.(5:5) And one of the elders. That this signifies a society of heaven which was in wisdom above the rest, is evident from the signification of the elders, as denoting those who are in truths from good, and in the abstract, truths from good (concerning which see above, n. 270), thus those who are in intelligence and wisdom above the rest; for all intelligence is from good by means of truths, or by means of truths from good, and from no other source. One of the elders, signifies a society of heaven, because by an angel in the Word, is not meant one angel, but a whole society (as may be seen above, n. 90, 302); thus also by one of the elders. A society is meant which is in wisdom above the rest, because he taught that it is the Lord alone, who as to the Human procured to Himself Divine Wisdom, that He might know, have cognisance of, and explore every one, and the states of the life of all in general, and of each one in particular. These things are signified by his saying, "Weep not; behold, the lion which is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof"; for to know this, namely, that it is the Lord alone who is such, pertains to the wisdom of the angels of heaven; and this the angelic societies of the third or inmost heaven know from perception, or from influx from the Lord. The others also know it, yet not from perception, but from the enlightenment of the understanding. The angels of the third or inmost heaven have perception; the angels of the second and the ultimate heaven have enlightenment of the understanding; they are distinguished by this, that perception is full confirmation from influx from the Lord, but enlightenment of the understanding is spiritual sight. Those have the latter, who are in charity towards the neighbour and thence in faith: but those have perception, who are in love to the Lord. (What perception is may be further seen in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 135-140.)
