809. Verse 5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, signifies influx from the Lord into heaven, and thus the unanimity of the angels, that all who are in the truths of faith and in the goods of love should worship the Lord as the only God of heaven. By "the voice which came out of the throne" is signified influx from the Lord into heaven. That it is from the Lord is because "He that sitteth upon the throne" was the Lord, as was shown just above (n. 808). Therefore by "the voice" that came out therefrom is meant influx; for the Lord, because He is above the heavens, and appears before the angels as a sun, does not speak from it to the angels, but flows in; and that which flows in, is received in heaven, and is uttered. Wherefore that voice, although from the throne, yet was heard by John out of heaven, and thus from the angels there; and whatever the angels speak out of heaven is from the Lord. By "Praise our God" is signified that they should worship the Lord as the only God of heaven. That "to praise God" is to worship Him will be seen below. By "all His servants" are signified all who are in the truths of faith (n. 3, 380); by "all that fear Him" are signified they who are in the goods of love (n. 527, 628). [2] That "to praise God" signifies to worship Him, and hence that the praise of Him is the worship of Him, is evident from many passages in the Word, a few only of which are adduced:
Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of them that praise God (Luke 2:13, 20). The whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God with a great voice (Luke 19:37). They were in the temple praising and blessing God (Luke 24:53). Cause to be heard, praise ye, and say, O Jehovah, save Thy people (Jer. 31:7). Praise ye Jehovah in the heavens; praise Him in the heights; praise ye Him, His angels; praise ye Him, His hosts; praise ye Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light; praise Him, ye heavens of heavens; praise ye the name of Jehovah; praise Jehovah from the earth; He hath exalted praise from all peoples (Ps. 148:1-5, 7, 13, 14). Out of the mouths of infants and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise (Matt. 21:16). All the people gave praise unto God (Luke 18:43; besides other places, as Isa. 42:8; 60:18; Joel 2:26; Ps. 113:1, 3; 117:1). These things which are said in this verse do not have reference to those which precede concerning Babylon, but to the things that follow concerning the New Church to be established by the Lord; which is here treated of in what follows.
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