863. 'And fire from God came down from heaven and consumed them' signifies that they perished from the lusts of infernal love. By the 'fire coming down out of heaven' which 'consumed them' are signified the lusts of evils, or of infernal love, as above (n. 494, 748), inasmuch as those who are in external worship separate from internal worship are in evils of every kind and in lusts, because the evils with them have not been removed by any actual repentance (n. 859). It is said that fire from God came down out of heaven. This was the case in ancient times when all the things of the Church used to be represented before their eyes, consequently when Churches were representative. But at the present day, when the representatives have ceased, it is said in a like manner, and by it the same thing is signified as formerly when it was represented. That fire came down out of heaven upon those who profaned holy things may be seen above (n. 494, 748). Something similar is said of 'Gog and Magog' in Ezekiel:-