528. 'And of spoiling those spoiling the land' signifies the casting down into hell of those who have destroyed the Church. By 'to spoil those spoiling the land' is signified the casting down into hell of those who have destroyed the Church, because by 'the land' is signified the Church (n. 285), and because this statement follows after these words, 'the time of judging the dead is come', by which is signified the last judgment upon those who have no spiritual life (n. 525). So here by 'the time is come of spoiling those spoiling the land' is signified the casting down into hell of those who have destroyed the Church. A similar thing is said of 'Lucifer', by whom Babel is understood, in Isaiah:-