262. As it were of a trumpet, speaking with me. That this signifies what is clear and manifest is evident from the signification of trumpet, as being the Divine truth manifested and revealed out of heaven, concerning which see above (n. 55). The voice heard from heaven by those who are in the spirit is usually heard as a human voice; but the reason of its being heard as a trumpet speaking was that it was clearly and manifestly perceived by the angels; and that which is clearly and manifestly perceived by them falls loudly into the hearing of the spirit. This was the case with John in order to arouse his attention, and thence his sight, lest anything should be obscure to him. The same is meant by the voice of a trumpet also in other places, as Matt. xxiv. 31; Zech. ix. 14; Ps. xlvii. 5; Apoc. viii. 2, 7, 8, 13; ix. 1, 13, 14; x. 7; xviii. 22, and elsewhere.