145. (Verse 17) He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches. That this signifies that he who understands should hearken to what Divine truth proceeding from the Lord teaches and says to those who belong to His church is evident from what was said and shown above (n. 14 and 108), where similar words are explained.

3039. 'He will send His angel before you' means Divine Providence. This is clear from the meaning of 'angel' in the Word as the Lord, though which aspect of the Lord it is appears from the train of thought, as dealt with in 1925. The aspect meant here is clearly Divine Providence. The reason why the Lord is meant in the Word by 'angels' is that everything spoken in the Word through the Prophets and all others, though dictated by angels, is received from the Lord, that is, it is the Lord's Own. Angels in heaven also acknowledge and perceive that nothing good or true originates in themselves but in the Lord; indeed so great is their acknowledgement and perception that they turn away from everything that suggests any other idea. This explains why 'angels', that is to say, good ones, are used to mean the Lord, though which aspect of the Lord it is appears from the train of thought.