275. 'The four animals and the twenty-four elders fell prostrate before the Lamb' signifies a humbling, and as a result of the humbling the adoration of the Lord out of the higher heavens. Now follows a glorification of the Lord on account of [the intended judgment], for, as was said above (n. 263), unless the Lord should now effect the last judgment, and by means of it bring all things in the heavens and on earth (in terris) back into order, they would all perish. The glorification of the Lord which now follows is made first from the higher heavens, afterwards from the lower heavens, and only then from the lowest heavens; glorification from the higher heavens (vers. 8-10), from the lower heavens (vers. 11, 12), and from the lowest heavens (verse 13), and at length confirmation and adoration from the higher heavens (verse 14). The higher heavens, therefore, are signified by 'the four animals and the twenty-four elders'; for, by the cherubs which the four animals are 'in the midst of the throne' is signified the Lord as to the Word, while by the cherubs or four animals 'around the throne' is signified heaven as to the Word, for it is said that 'in the midst of the throne and around the throne' were seen 'four animals, full of eyes before and behind' (chap. iv 6); for the heavens are heavens by virtue of the reception of Divine Truth by means of the Word from the Lord. By 'the twenty-four elders' also are signified the angels in the higher heavens, because those elders were nearest around the throne (chap. iv 4). That 'to fall prostrate before the Lamb' is a humbling, and as a result of the humbling an adoration, is plain.