AR 324-329 (portions) - The Fifth Seal: The Souls Under the Altar

AR 324

When He opened the fifth seal.
(Revelation 6:9)

This symbolizes an examination by the Lord
of the states of life of people who would be saved
on the day of the Last Judgment,
and who in the meantime were sequestered.

AR 325 [1, 2]

I saw under the altar
the souls of those who had been slain
for the word of God
and for the testimony which they held.
(Revelation 6:9)

This symbolizes people who were hated by the evil,
treated with scorn and expelled
because of their life
in accordance with the Word's truths
and their acknowledgment
of the Lord's Divine humanity,
and who were protected by the Lord
to keep them from being led astray.

. . .  Since the souls were under the altar,
it is apparent that they were being
protected by the Lord.
For the Lord protects all people
who have lived some life of charity,
to keep them from being harmed by the evil;

AR 326

And they cried with a loud voice.
(Revelation 6:10)

This symbolizes pain of heart . . ..

AR 327

Saying, "How long, O Lord, who are holy and true,
will You not judge and avenge our blood
on those who dwell on the earth?"
(Revelation 6:10)

This symbolically means,
over the fact that the Last Judgment
was so long delayed,
and that those who did violence to the Word
and to the Lord's Divinity
were not being removed.

AR 328

Then white robes were given to each of them.
(Revelation 6:11)

This symbolically means that they were given
a communication and conjunction with angels
who possessed Divine truths.

Garments symbolize truths,
and white garments symbolize genuine truths.
This is the symbolism of garments
because all the inhabitants in heaven are clothed
in accordance with the truths they possess,
and every spirit has a garment
in keeping with his conjunction
with angelic societies.
Consequently, when a conjunction exists,
spirits instantly appear similarly clothed.
So it is that white robes
being given to each of the people here.

AR 329

And it was said to them
that they should rest a little while longer,
until the number
of both their fellow servants and their brethren,
who would be killed as they were, was complete.
(Revelation 6:11)

This symbolically means that the Last Judgment
would be delayed a little while longer,
until those people should be gathered together
from all sides
who likewise were hated by the evil,
treated with scorn
and expelled because of their acknowledgment
of the Lord's humanity
and their life
in accordance with His Word's truths.