June 2

And all around the throne were twenty and four thrones; and on the thrones I saw twenty and four elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and they had on their heads golden crowns. And out of the throne went out lightnings and thunders and voices; and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. And in the sight of the throne there was a sea of glass like crystal. And in the midst of the throne and around the throne were four animals, full with eyes before and behind. (Revelation 4:4-6)

By the twelve tribes of Israel and their elders are signified all who are of the Lord’s church in the heavens and on earth, and, abstractly, all the truths and goods therein… “Twelve” signifies all, and is predicated of the truths and goods of heaven and the church; the same is signified by “twenty-four”; therefore “the twelve apostles” and the “twenty-four elders” signify all things of the church; and “twelve,” as also “twenty-four thrones,” signify the all of judgment…. (Apocalypse Revealed 233.2)

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunders, and voices, signifies enlightenment, perception, and instruction from the Lord. (Apocalypse Revealed 236)

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal, signifies the New Heaven from Christians who are in general truths from the literal sense of the Word. In the spiritual world there appear atmospheres, and also waters, like as in our world. The atmospheres in which the angels of the highest heaven dwell are as it were ethereal; the atmospheres in which the angels of the middle heaven dwell are as it were aerial; and the atmospheres in which the angels of the lowest heaven dwell are as it were aqueous; and these last appear as seas at the boundaries of heaven, where they dwell who are in general truths from the literal sense of the Word. (Apocalypse Revealed 238)

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