472. These that are clothed in white robes, who are they and whence came they? - That this signifies concerning those who are now in truths, and in the protection of the Lord, what their quality is and what it has been, as is evident from the signification of being clothed in white robes, which denotes those who are now in truths, and in the protection of the Lord, see above (n. 395:1-2, 457); and from the signification of "Who are they? and whence came they?" as denoting of what quality they are, and of what quality they have been. "Who are they and whence came they," signifies of what quality they are, and of what quality they have been, for the reason that in the spiritual world, when angels see and meet others, they never inquire who they are, and whence they come, but what their quality is; wherefore this is the spiritual meaning of these words. The reason why the angels inquire only concerning the quality of those whom they see is, that in the spiritual world all have habitations according to the quality of their affections. Again, to inquire who they are implies personality, and to inquire whence they come involves place; and in the thought, and thence in the spiritual speech of the angels, there is no idea of person and place, but in their stead they have an idea of things and states in reference to quality, therefore also a name is given to every one there from his quality. That the angels think apart from person and place, and that consequently they possess wisdom, may be seen above (n. 99, 100, 270, 325). From these considerations it is evident, that the words, "Who are they? and whence came they?" signify in the spiritual sense, what their quality is, and what it has been. Their quality is also described in what now follows.