Apocalypse Explained, Vol. 3

ns, which would otherwise collapse if the connection were broken. "Standing" implies an act of support and presence, as the Lord is the foundation upon which all spiritual things rest. When the text mentions "four corners," it does not refer to literal dimensions or geometric points, but rather to the totality of the spiritual expanse in every direction. This expanse includes the entirety of heaven, the world of spirits, and the hells, all of which are held in place by the Divine influence that emanates from the Lord.

418. "Holding back the four winds of the earth" signifies the moderation of influx the flow of spiritual life from the Divine into the created world.—The "winds" here refer to the spiritual force that radiates from the Divine into the various regions of the spiritual world. When this force is intense or unobstructed, it causes the states of spirits to fluctuate, potentially revealing their true nature prematurely. "Holding back" signifies that the Lord regulates this influence so that the process of judgment happens in an orderly manner. Without this moderation, the equilibrium between heaven and hell would be disrupted, and the souls involved would be unable to maintain their state while the separation takes place.

419. "That the wind should not blow" signifies that the good are not to be harmed, and the evil are not to be cast out before the appointed day.—The "blowing" of the wind represents the immediate and total application of Divine truth, which exposes the inner heart of every spirit. For those who are in a state of evil, this truth acts as a force that drives them away from their falsities and toward judgment. The text indicates that this process is temporarily restrained. This is a measure of Divine mercy, ensuring that the good, who are still mingled with the evil, are not subjected to the turbulence of the final sorting until the Lord has provided for their protection.

A woodcut illustration depicts four winged figures standing at the cardinal points of a globe, each restraining a turbulent gust of wind represented by swirling, vaporous clouds.