619. Who were redeemed from the earth. This symbolically means that they are people who could be regenerated by the Lord and so be redeemed in the world.

The redeemed from the earth symbolize people redeemed in the world. That redemption is deliverance from hell, and salvation by conjunction with the Lord, may be seen in no. 281. And because this is achieved by regeneration, therefore the redeemed symbolize people regenerated and redeemed by the Lord. Moreover, because all people can be regenerated and thus redeemed if they are willing to be, and few are willing, therefore the redeemed from the earth symbolize that they are people who could be regenerated by the Lord and thus redeemed.

The character of these people is now described in verses 4 and 5.