959. (Verse 1) And I heard a voice out of the temple saying unto the seven angels. That this signifies manifestation by means of Divine truth from the Word of the evils and falsities that have devastated the church, is evident from the signification of a voice out of the temple, as denoting Divine truth from the Word; for a voice signifies Divine truth, as may be seen above (n. 261, 668); and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony, out of which the voice came, signifies the Word, in which is Divine truth both natural and spiritual (n. 948); and from the signification of the seven angels, as denoting manifestations, as frequently shown above. And because by the seven vials or plagues, which they had, are signified the evils and falsities that have devastated the church, therefore the manifestations of all evils and falsities that have devastated the church are here signified by the seven angels. The subject treated of in the following verses is also concerning their manifestation.

Continuation:-

[2] In the preceding chapter, at the end of each article, we have treated concerning the first precept of the Decalogue. In the articles now following in this chapter we shall treat concerning the rest of the precepts of the Decalogue. And here, concerning the Second Precept.

Thou shalt not profane the name of God. It shall here first be stated what is meant by the name of God, and afterwards, what is meant by profaning it. By the name of God is meant all the quality by which God is worshipped. For God is in His own quality, and is His own quality; His essence is Divine love, and His quality is Divine truth thence united with Divine good; thus with us on earth it is the Word. Therefore also it is said in John:

"The Word was with God, and God was the Word" (1:1).

And consequently, also, it is the doctrine of genuine truth and good from the Word; for worship is according to doctrine.

[3] Now because His quality is manifold - for it contains all things that are from Him - therefore many names are given to Him, and every name involves and expresses His quality in general and in particular. For, besides other names, He is called Jehovah, Jehovah Zebaoth, Lord, Lord Jehovih, God, Messiah or Christ, Jesus, Saviour, Redeemer, Creator, Former, Maker, King, and the Holy One of Israel, the Rock and the Stone of Israel, Shiloh, Schaddai, David, Prophet, Son of God, and Son of Man. All these names are those of the One God, who is the Lord; but still where they are mentioned in the Word, they signify some universal attribute or Divine quality distinct from the other Divine attributes or qualities.

Similarly, where He is called Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three are not understood, but one God; or they are not three Divines, but one. And this Trine, which is one, is the Lord.

[4] Because every name signifies some distinct attribute or quality, therefore, by profaning the name of God, is not meant to profane the name itself, but His quality. The reason why quality is signified by name is also, because in heaven every one is named according to his quality. And the quality of God or the Lord is everything that is from Him by means of which He is worshipped. This is why in hell, since no Divine quality of the Lord is there acknowledged, the Lord cannot be named; and why His names can be pronounced by no one in the spiritual world unless His Divine is acknowledged; for all there speak from the heart, thus from the love and acknowledgment therefrom.

915. (Verse 18) And another angel went out from the altar. That this signifies manifestation from the Lord concerning the devastation of the church as to the good of love and charity, is evident from the signification of an angel going out, as denoting manifestation from the Lord (see above, n. 914); and from the signification of an altar, as denoting, in the highest sense, the Divine good of the Divine love; and thence in a relative sense the good of love to the Lord, and the good of charity towards the neighbour (concerning which see above, n. 391, 490).

The reason of this signification of the altar shall also be here explained in a few words. In the church instituted among the sons of Israel, there were two chief things of worship - the tent of the assembly and the altar; and afterwards the temple and the altar. In the temple the Word was taught, and upon the altar the sacrifices were offered; these were the chief things of their worship. And because the church instituted among them was representative, therefore, those two represented all things of the church in summary; all of which have reference to the truth of doctrine from the Word, and to the good of love and charity; from these two, also, arises all worship in the church. And since all the representatives of the church looked to the Lord as the end and the cause - thus to whom and from whom all things are - therefore by the temple was represented the Lord as to Divine truth; and by the altar the Lord as to Divine good. Concerning this representation of the temple, see above (n. 220); and of the altar (n. 391, 490).

Now because all things of the church, and thence of worship, have reference to those two things, namely, to the truth of doctrine and to the good of love, and all things of heaven to the Divine truth and the Divine good - both from the Lord; and, since, when these are vastated, there is no longer any church, therefore two angels were seen by John, by whom the devastation of the church as to both was represented.