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.

261. And the first voice which I heard. That this signifies revelation now concerning things to come is evident from the signification of voice, as denoting whatever proceeds from the Lord and is perceived by angels and men, in this case principally revelation concerning things to come that were to take place before the Last Judgment, to be attendant on it, and to follow it, because these things are treated of in what now follows. That the voice of Jehovah in the Word signifies the proceeding Divine, which is Divine truth, from which are all intelligence and wisdom, may be seen (Arcana Coelestia 219, 220, 375, 3563, 6971, 8813, 9926), and is also evident from the following passages. In David:

"The voice of Jehovah upon the waters. The voice of Jehovah with power, the voice of Jehovah with honour. The voice of Jehovah breaketh the cedars. The voice of Jehovah falleth as a flame of fire. The voice of Jehovah maketh the wilderness to tremble. The voice of Jehovah maketh the hinds to bring forth; but in his temple every one saith, Glory" (Psalms 29:3-9).

The subject here treated of is the Divine which proceeds from the Lord, and which in one expression is called the Divine truth; its effect, both with the good and with the evil, is described by those things that are there mentioned; it is therefore evident what is signified by the voice of Jehovah.

[2] In John:

"He who is the shepherd of the sheep, to him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice; a stranger will they not follow; for they know not the voice of strangers. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice. But ye are not of my sheep; for my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (10:2-5, 16, 26, 27).

By sheep in the Word are meant those who are in truths from good, thus who are in faith from charity; by the voice here mentioned is not meant voice, but the proceeding Divine, which is the Divine truth. This flows into those who are in the good of charity and gives them intelligence, and so far as they are in good it gives them wisdom; intelligence pertains to truth, and wisdom to truth from good.

[3] In Jeremiah:

"The maker of the earth, by his understanding he stretched out the heavens, at the voice which he giveth there is a multitude of waters in the heavens" (10:12, 13; 51:16).

In David:

"The voice of Jehovah upon the waters, Jehovah upon the great waters" (Psalms 29:3).

In the Apocalypse:

"And his voice as the sound of many waters" (1:15).

And again:

"I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters" (14:2).

The voice of Jehovah, and the voice from heaven is the proceeding Divine, or the Divine truth, from which are intelligence and wisdom; the reason why it is compared to the voice of many waters is that waters signify Divine truths in ultimates, as may be seen above (n. 71). In David:

Ye kingdoms of the earth, sing praises unto the Lord, who rideth upon the heaven of the heaven of old; behold, he will give in a voice, a voice of strength" (Psalms 68:32, 33).

In John:

"I say unto you, that the hour will come when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live" (5:25).

In Joel:

"Jehovah shall give his voice from Jerusalem, that the heavens and the earth may tremble" (3:16).

Again:

"Jehovah hath uttered his voice before his army; because innumerable is the host that executeth his word" (2:11).

That the Divine truth is here signified by the voice of Jehovah is clear; also in many other places.