Spiritual Meaning of REVELATION 5:11
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AR 286
. Verse 11.And I saw, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the animals and the elders, signifies confession and glorification of the Lord by the angels of the lower heavens. That there was confession and glorification of the Lord by the angels of the three heavens, may be seen in (n. 275); and by the angels of the higher heavens, from (verses 8 to 10); and therefore now by the angels of the lower heavens (verses 11, 12); wherefore by "the voice of the angels round about the throne," is meant the confession and glorification of the Lord by the angels of the lower heavens. That he then saw also the animals and elders together with them, because by "the animals" and "elders" are signified the angels of the higher heavens (n. 275), and the lower heavens never act separately from the higher heavens, but in conjunction with them; for the Lord inflows into all the heavens immediately from Himself; thus also into the lower heavens; and at the same time mediately through the higher heavens into the lower. This is the reason, therefore, why "he saw and heard the animals and elders" first by themselves, and afterwards in conjunction with the others.
AR 287
. And the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, signifies all in truths and in goods. By "number," in the natural sense, is meant that which has relation to measure or weight, but by "number," in the spiritual sense, that which has relation to quality; and here their quality is described by their being "myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands," for "a myriad" is predicated of truths, and "a thousand" of goods. The reason why "a myriad" is predicated of truths, and "a thousand" of goods, is because a myriad is the greater number, and a thousand a less, and truths are manifold, but goods are simple; also because where truths are treated of in the Word, goods are treated of also, on account of the marriage of good and truth existing in every particular, otherwise it would have been sufficient to have said "myriads of myriads." Since these two numbers have such a signification, they are mentioned also in other places, as in the following:--
The chariots of God are two myriads, thousands of angels of peace, the Lord is in them, Sinai in the sanctuary (Ps. 68:17).
I saw, when the Ancient of Days did sit, a thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and myriads of myriads stood before Him (Dan. 7:9, 10).
Moses saith of Joseph:--
His horns are the horns of a unicorn; with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth; and they are the myriads of Ephraim, and the thousands of Manasseh (Deut. 33:17).
Thou shalt not he afraid for the pestilence that creepeth in thick darkness, nor for the death that wasteth at noon-day, a thousand shall fall at thy side, and a myriad at thy right hand (Ps. 91:5-7).
Our flocks are thousands, myriads in our streets (Ps. 144:13).
Is Jehovah delighted with thousands of rams, or with myriads of rivers of oil? (Micah 6:7).
When the ark rested, Moses said:--
Return, Jehovah, unto the myriads of the thousands of Israel (Num. 10:36).
In all these places "myriads" are spoken of truths, and "thousands" of goods.
REVELATION 5:11
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