274. [verse 8] 'And when He had taken the book' signifies when the Lord set about making the judgment, and bringing all things in the heavens and upon earth back into order by means of it. By 'to take' the book and 'to open it' is signified to examine the states of life of all, and to judge each one in accordance with his own [state], as above. Here, therefore, by [the statement] that 'he had taken the book' is signified to have the intention of making the last judgment, and because a last judgment is brought about so that all things may be brought back into order in the heavens, and on earth by means of the heavens, this also is signified.