8295. My hand shall drive them out. That this signifies that by virtue of power, heaven shall be destroyed, is evident from the signification of "driving out," as being to cast down, and thus to destroy; and from the signification of "hand," as being power (see n. 878, 4931-4937, 6292, 6947, 7188, 7189, 7518). That heaven is signified, is because it is said that "he will drive them out," thus from heaven; for when the reins are loosened, the evil are of such audacity and impudence as to suppose themselves able to destroy heaven itself. For all who are in the hells are in opposition against heaven, because against good and truth, and consequently are in the continual cupidity of destroying it, and insofar as this is permitted them, they continually endeavor to do it (n. 8273). [2] The will to destroy heaven, or the will to cast down those who are there, is not accomplished by hostile invasion, as on earth, for such invasion or such combat is not possible in the other life; but it is accomplished through the destruction of the truth which is of faith, and of the good which is of love, for the truth of faith and the good of love are heaven. Herein consist combats and wars in the other life, and how direful and frightful these combats and wars are, will be told at the end of the chapters, where of the Lord's Divine mercy I will speak about the hells. The war described by John: "there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, but prevailed not" (Rev. 12:7, 8), is to be understood in no other way.