9215. 'It is his clothing for his skin' means that they also clothe relatively external things. This is clear from the meaning of 'clothing' as the sensory level in general or things on that level, as above; and from the meaning of 'skin' as that which is relatively external, which also clothes more internal things but still exists within those on the sensory level. What 'the skin' means, and who exactly correspond to the skin in the next life, see 3540, 5552-5559, 8977, 8980. The natural degree of the human mind has a rather internal level, a relatively external or middle level, and an outermost level. The more internal level of the natural is in contact with heaven; the middle or relatively external level is in contact on one side with the more internal, and through this with heaven, and on the other side with the outermost, and through this with the world, see 4009, 4570, 5118, 5126, 5497, 5649, 5707. The outermost level of the natural is that of the senses, which is meant here by 'clothing'. This level receives impressions of objects in the world and thereby serves more internal things. It is called 'his only covering' because it is the last and lowest and so is general to all, the relatively external or middle level of the natural being the one meant by 'skin'. From this it is evident that 'his clothing for his skin' means that the sensory level also clothes relatively external things. The fact that the sensory level is the last and lowest of a person's life, and so is a general covering, see 4009, 5077, 5125, 5128, 5767, 5774, 6201, 6313, 7442, 7693.

885. That crying is mentioned in the Word in reference to grief over and fear of falsities from hell, and so of being devastated by them, is apparent from the following passages:

...the former distresses shall be forgotten, and... hidden from My eyes... Then the sound of weeping shall not be heard in her, nor the sound of crying. (Isaiah 65:16, 19)

This, too, is said in reference to Jerusalem, as in the present instance in the book of Revelation.

They are dark upon the land, and the cry of Jerusalem has gone up. (Jeremiah 14:2ff.)

The reference here is to sorrow over falsities that are devastating the church.

(Jehovah) looked for judgment, but behold, scabies; for righteousness, but behold, a cry. (Isaiah 5:7)

The sound of the cry of the shepherds... For Jehovah is laying waste their pasture. (Jeremiah 25:36)

The sound of a cry from the Fish Gate..., (because) their goods shall become booty, and their houses a desolation. (Zephaniah 1:10, 13)

And so on elsewhere, as in Isaiah 14:31; 15:4-6, 8; 24:11; 30:19, Jeremiah 46:12, 17.

It should be known, however, that crying in the Word is mentioned in reference to every affection of the heart that bursts out. It is consequently the sound of lamentation, of imploring, of supplicating out of grief, of calling to witness, of indignation, of confession, even of exultation.