471. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me.- That this signifies influx out of heaven from the Lord, and thence perception, is evident from the signification of answering and saying, when stated of the elders, who signify heaven where the Lord is, as denoting influx and perception, for "to answer" denotes influx, and "to say," perception; and from the signification of the elders, as denoting those who are in the second, or middle heaven, where those are who are in intelligence, and through whom responses are given; concerning this see above (n. 462). And because all influx is from the Lord alone, although by means of angels, therefore these words signify influx and perception out of heaven from the Lord. That such a sense is contained in these words may seem strange; still, these words are in no other way understood in heaven. It appears strange, for the reason that this is as it were a historical statement, and matters of history conceal the spiritual sense more than those that are only prophetical; but all the historical parts of the Word contain also a spiritual sense, and still more the prophetical histories, which consist of those things which the prophets saw, and of those that were said to them when they were in the vision of the spirit; for all those things are representative and significative. For example that four-and-twenty elders and four animals were seen by John, is prophetical history, representing and signifying the angels of the higher heavens, as shown above. It follows therefore, that the speaking of one of the elders to him was also significative; for it signifies influx and perception out of heaven from the Lord.
[2] That answering does not here signify to answer in its ordinary meaning, is evident from this fact, that it is said without interrogation, and to answer, implies interrogation; here therefore it has reference to thought concerning those who were seen in white robes.
Moreover the expression "to answer," often occurs in the Word, and, when used in reference to the Lord, it signifies influx, inspiration, perception, and information, also mercy, and help; as in the following passages:
"In a time of good pleasure have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee" (Isaiah xlix. 8).
In David:
"Save me, O Jehovah; let the king answer us in the day when we call" (Psalm xx. 9).
Again:
"Answer me when I call, O God of my justice" (Psalm iv. 1).
Again:
"Consider and answer me, O Jehovah my God" (Psalm xiii. 3).
"I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me O God" (Psalm xvii. 6).
Again:
"I sought Jehovah, and he answered me" (Psalm xxxiv. 4).
Again:
"He calleth upon me, and I will answer him" (Psalm xci. 15).
And again:
"In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, and he answered me" (cxx. 1, and elsewhere).
In these and in other passages, by answering is not meant, to answer, but to flow into the thought, to cause to perceive, and also to give help from mercy. Answers, therefore, that are said to come from the Lord, signify perceptions from influx. It is to be observed, that whatever comes into perception from the Lord is called influx.
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