276. Verses 6-8. And in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four animals full of eyes before and behind. And the first animal was like a lion, and the second animal like a calf, and the third animal had a face as a man, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. And the four animals had each by itself six wings roundabout; and they were full of eyes within, and they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.

"And in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four animals full of eyes before and behind," signifies the guardianship and providence of the Lord to prevent the interior heavens being approached, except by the good of love and of charity, that lower things thence depending may be in order.

"And the first animal was like a lion," signifies the appearance in ultimates of Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as to the power and effect; "and the second animal like a calf," signifies the appearance in ultimates of Divine good as to defence; "and the third animal had a face as a man," signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Lord's Divine guardianship and providence as to wisdom; "and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle," signifies the appearance in ultimates of the Divine guardianship and providence as to intelligence, and as to circumspection in every direction.

"And the four animals had, each by itself six wings roundabout," signifies the appearance of the Divine spiritual in every direction around the Divine celestial; "and they were full of eyes within," signifies the Divine providence and guardianship; "and they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy," signifies what is most holy proceeding from the Lord; "Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come," signifies who is infinite and eternal.

73. And out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. That this signifies the dispersion of falsities by the Word, is evident from the signification of going forth from the mouth, when said of the Lord, as denoting Divine truth, thus the Word, for this proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord; and from the signification of a sabre, or sword, as denoting truth fighting; and since by truth when it fights, falsities are dispersed, therefore also by a sword is signified the dispersion of falsities. The reason why the sword is called sharp and two-edged is on account of entire dispersion. (That a sabre, or sword, signifies truth fighting against falsities, and destroying them, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 2799, 6353, 8294.) As the sword is frequently mentioned in the following pages, as in chap. 2:12, 16; 6:4, 8; 13:10, 14; 19:15, 21; it will be illustrated and shown that it signifies truth fighting with and dispersing falsities, when we come to treat of those passages; therefore we shall not adduce here any quotations from the Word in confirmation of this signification at present.