296. And I heard one of the four animals saying as with a voice of thunder, signifies according to the Divine truth of the Word. That by "the four animals," or "cherubim," is meant the Word, may be seen above (n. 239, 275, 286), and by "a voice of thunder," the perception of the Divine truth (n. 236). It is here said "a voice of thunder," because by this animal is meant the lion, by which is signified the Divine truth of the Word as to power (n. 241); hence it is, that this animal is said to have spoken "as a voice of thunder," for it is said afterwards, that the second animal spoke, then the third, and the fourth.