505. And they were cast upon the earth.- That this signifies progression towards the lower parts, where also the evil were, is evident from the signification of being cast upon the earth, said in reference to the hail and fire mingled with blood, for this took place when the first angel sounded, as denoting to proceed towards the lower parts, where the evil were gathered together, with whom also were some of the good. That progression towards the lower parts is signified, is because the changes and desolations, signified by the third part of the trees and all the green grass being burnt up, took place progressively towards the lower parts where the evil were, as stated above. The reason why these lower parts are here meant by the earth is, that those things were seen by John when he was in the spirit, that is, when he was in the spiritual world. For a man's spirit when its sight is opened to him, sees those things which are in the spiritual world, where there are mountains, hills, and valleys; there upon the mountains and hills are the angelic heavens, but those who have not yet been taken up into heaven are in the valleys below, where therefore the evil mingled with the good were at this time; therefore those valleys, which were below the mountains and hills, are here meant by the earth. Consequently by being cast upon the earth, signifies out of the heavens towards the lower parts. But when mountains, hills, and valleys, taken together, are called earths, then "earth" signifies the church there.

301. Verses 2, 3. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no one in heaven, neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.

"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice," signifies influx of the Lord into heaven: "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" signifies, whether any one there is of such a quality as to know and perceive the states of the life of all.

"And no one in heaven, neither upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon," signifies, manifestation, that no one knows and perceives, of himself, anything of the state of the life of all in general and of each in particular.