711. 'And there was a great earthquake such as has not occurred since there came to be men upon the earth, an earthquake of such magnitude' signifies as it were the tremors, convulsions, overturnings, and acts of dragging down out of heaven of all things of the Church. That by 'earthquakes' changes of state of the Church are signified may be seen above (n. 331); and as earthquakes are lighter and more severe, here the most severe because it is said that 'such an earthquake has not occurred since there came to be men', it is plain that by the 'earthquake' here are signified the tremors, convulsions, overturnings, and acts of dragging down out of heaven of all things of the Church. It is said also of the dragon, who is called 'the serpent of old, the Devil and Satan', that:-
His tail dragged down out of heaven a third part of the stars, and cast them to earth Rev. xii 4.
In like manner of 'the he-goat of the she-goats' (Dan. viii 10-12). The Lord also says of the end of this Church:-
Then shall be great affliction such as was not from the beginning of the world up to this time, nor shall be Matt. xxiv 21.
The end of the Church is also described in the Prophets by earth tremors, overthrowings, castings down, and the many other things attendant on earthquakes.
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