794. And the voice of a millstone shall not be heard anymore in thee, signifies that they who are in that religious persuasion from doctrine, and from a life according to it, make no inquiry after, examination of, and confirmation of spiritual truth, because falsity received and confirmed, and thus implanted, stands in the way. By "the voice of the mill," nothing else is signified but the inquiry after, examination, and confirmation of spiritual truth, especially from the Word. The reason why this is signified by the voice of the mill or by grinding is because wheat and barley which are ground signify celestial and spiritual good, and therefore meal and fine flour signify truth from that good; for all truth is from good, and all truth which is not from spiritual good, is not spiritual. It is said "the voice of the mill," because things spiritual throughout the Word are denoted by things instrumental, which are the ultimates of nature; as for example, spiritual truths and goods are denoted by cups, vials, bottles, platters, and many other vessels, as may be seen above (n. 672). By "wheat" is signified the good of the church from the Word (n. 315); and by "fine flour of wheat" is signified the truth from that good (n. 778). [2] That "a mill" signifies inquiry after, examination, and confirmation of spiritual truth, see the following passage:
Jesus said, In the consummation of the age, two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left; two shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left (Matt. 24:40-41). By "the consummation of the age" is meant the end of the church, when the Last Judgment is executed; by "the field" the church is signified, because the harvest is there; by "them that grind at the mill" are signified those in the church who search after truths; by "those that are taken" they who find and receive them are signified; and by "them that are left," those who do not search after nor receive them, because they are in falsities:
I will take from them the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride, the voice of the mills, and the light of a lamp (Jer. 25:10). By "the voice of the mills" in this passage the like is signified as here in Revelation:
[3] Thou shalt not take the mill nor the millstone to pledge, for he taketh the soul to pledge (Deut. 24:6). The mill is here called the soul, because by "the soul" is signified the truth of wisdom and faith (n. 681). In the opposite sense, the investigation and confirmation of falsity is signified by a mill, as is evident in these passages:
They led away the young men to grind at the mill, and the boys fell down under the wood (Lam. 5:13). Sit in the dust, O daughter of Babel; take the mill and grind meal; uncover thy locks, uncover thy thighs, pass over the streams, let thy nakedness be uncovered, and let thy shame be seen (Isa. 47:1-3). "Take the mill and grind meal" signifies to search after and investigate falsities, for the sake of confirming them.
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