7548. 'But yet for this reason have I caused you to stand' means that nevertheless communication would continue, and states would run their orderly course. This is clear from the meaning of 'causing to stand' - when used in reference to plagues or evils, which will not rush in all together, 7541, and to communication or contact with heaven, which will not be taken away from them, 7545 - as a declaration that nevertheless communication would continue, and therefore that states would run their orderly course, that is, those people would experience devastation in successive stages, 7541.

1262. From this it now becomes clear that 'the earth' here also means the Church; for when the earth is mentioned, one's only perception is of the nation or people there, and when a nation or people is envisaged one's only perception is of their character. Consequently 'the earth' means nothing other than the Church, as shown already in 662, 1066.