This represents the next step in the judgment of the Ancient Church - and, by extension, the process we all go through as we are shedding an evil and trying to become better. In the previous verse the Lord entered in to, purified and protected the remnant of that church that still had the desire to be good. Here we see the beginning of the counterattack from those confirmed in evil desires and false ideas.

The "men of the city" represent those confirmed in false beliefs; the "men of Sodom" represent those confirmed in evil desires; "old and young and from every quarter" means all of them together. The "house" represents the inmost desire for good in the remnant being protected by the Lord, and the fact that they "surrounded" it shows their opposition and hatred of that desire for good.

We suffer similar conflicts within ourselves in times of temptation, as our own evil desires and false beliefs mass together to oppose the desire we have to be good.

(Referencat: Arcana Coelestia 2345)

1388. The second kind of perception, as has been stated, is common to all, existing with angels to the height of perfection, and with spirits according to the particular character of each one; that is to say, they know the character of another as soon as he approaches, even when he does not say a word. It shows itself immediately by means of a certain remarkable influx. A good spirit is recognized not only from the goodness within him but also from the faith there, and from each word he uses as he is speaking, while a wicked spirit is recognized from his wickedness and unbelief, and from each word he uses as he is speaking. They are recognized so plainly that one could never be mistaken. Something similar occurs among men who likewise, from another person's gestures, looks, and speech, are sometimes able to know what he is thinking, even though something different is expressed in his speech. With man such knowledge is natural, but it has its origin in and receives its character from that which exists in spirits, and so from the spirit of the individual himself and from his communication with the world of spirits. This communicative perception from this source derives in the first place from the Lord's will that all goods should be communicable and that all people should be stirred by mutual love and so be happy. This being so, such perception reigns universally among spirits also.