489. And I saw the seven angels who stood before God.- This signifies all the heavens more interiorly and more closely conjoined to the Lord, as is evident from the signification of the seven angels, as denoting all the heavens. For by seven are signified all (omnes) and all things (omnia), as may be seen above (n. 257, 299); and that by angels are signified the heavens, see also above (n. 90, 302, 307); and from the signification of standing before God, as denoting to be conjoined to the Lord, concerning which see also above (n. 462, 477). The reason why the seven angels who stood before God signify that now all the heavens, were more interiorly and more closely conjoined to the Lord, will be explained in the following article.

[2] And to them were given seven trumpets.- That this signifies influx from them, and thence changes of state and separations, is evident from the signification of a trumpet, which denotes Divine Truth to be revealed, and revealed clearly and manifestly, concerning which see above (n. 55, 262). In the present case, the influx of Divine Good and Truth through the heavens from the Lord is signified, for by that influx all the changes and separations treated of in what follows were effected. For as often, therefore, as the angels sounded the trumpet, a change is described, and a separation effected; wherefore by sounding the trumpet, in what follows, is signified influx.

[3] That all changes of state and separations of the evil from the good, and vice versa, which took place before the judgment, and at the judgment, were effected by means of an interior influx of Divine Good and Truth from the Lord out of heaven, in a more powerful or more gentle degree, has been stated and shewn above (n. 413, 418:1, 419:1, 426), also the manner of it, and the effects arising from it. This is signified by the angel filling the censer with the fire of the altar, and casting it upon the earth (verse 5); and afterwards, by the angels sounding. Because these things were done by the Lord through the heavens, therefore the Lord first conjoined the heavens to Himself more interiorly and closely; for otherwise danger would have threatened even the heavens, therefore this is signified by the seven angels standing before God, to stand before God denoting to be conjoined to Him. And when they are conjoined to Him more interiorly and closely, then those with whom there is no spiritual good are separated; for spiritual good alone conjoins, and not any external or natural good, which does not derive its essence, and thence its existence, from spiritual good.

[4] That the evil are separated from the good when the Lord conjoins the angels to Himself more interiorly and closely, by a strong influx into their spiritual good, and by means of this into the interiors of the evil, may be comprehended by those who possess some degree of intelligence. For by means of that influx the interiors are also opened with the evil who have only made a pretence of what is good in externals, and these being opened, the evils and falsities which lie inwardly concealed are made manifest. The reason of this is, that they have no spiritual good; and external good without spiritual good is good only in appearance, in itself pretended and hypocritical; that this is of such a quality, does not appear until the interiors are unclosed and opened up. Spiritual good is formed in man from the Lord by means of truths and a life according to them, but external good separated from internal spiritual good, is formed by a moral life which has for its end self and the world, or honours, gain, and the pleasures of the flesh. If these alone are looked to, Divine truths are regarded as of no account, except as the means of acquiring fame, which has no other end than those external things mentioned above. Concerning the nature of internal good and external good with the good, and also with the evil, more may be seen in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 36-53). These things are stated to enable what follows to be understood. See also what has been said upon this subject in the places cited above (n. 413, 418, 419, 426).

302. (5:2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice. That this signifies exploration from the influx of the Lord into heaven, is evident from the signification of a strong angel, as denoting heaven (concerning which in what follows) and from the signification of proclaiming with a great voice, as denoting exploration from the influx of the Lord, - exploration that is, as to whether any one can know the states of the life of all in heaven and on the earth in general and in particular, for this is the subject here treated of. This exploration is signified by proclaiming, and the influx of the Lord is signified by a great voice. For voice, when said of the Lord, signifies all the truth of the Word, of doctrine and of faith from Him; and when said of heaven and the church, all the thought and affection thence. And because everything true and good, that angels in heaven, and men in whom the church is, think, and by which they are affected, is from the influx of the Lord, therefore this is here signified by a great voice; for it is well known, that no one can be affected with good from the love of good, and think truth from the love of truth, of himself, but that it flows in from heaven, that is, through heaven from the Lord; and because this is the case, by a great voice is signified the influx of the Lord; that voice in the Word signifies the truth of the Word, of doctrine and of faith, as well as everything announced from the Word, may be seen above, n. 261, and in the Arcana Coelestia 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926; and that it signifies the interior affection of truth and good, and the thought thence, n. 10454. The reason why a strong angel signifies heaven, is, because the whole angelic heaven before the Lord is as one man, or as one angel; in like manner each society of heaven; therefore by an angel in the Word is not meant an angel, but an entire angelic society, as by Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Here, therefore, by a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, is signified the influx of the Lord into the whole heaven; that it is into the whole heaven, is also evident from what follows, for it is said, "And no one in heaven neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon." (That by the angels in the Word are meant entire societies of heaven, and, in the highest sense, the Lord as to the proceeding Divine truth, may be seen above, n.90, 130, 200; and that all heaven before the Lord is as one man, or as one angel, and also every society of heaven, in the work concerning Heaven and Hell 59-87.)