528. And to destroy them that destroy the earth, signifies the casting of those into hell who have destroyed the church. The reason why by "destroying them that destroy the earth," is signified the casting of those into hell who have destroyed the church, is, because by "the earth" the church is signified (n. 285), and because it follows after these things, "And the time of the dead is come that they should be judged," by which is signified the Last Judgment upon those who have no spiritual life (n. 525); thus here, by "the time is come of destroying them that destroy the earth," is signified the casting down into hell of those who have destroyed the church. The like is said of Lucifer, by whom Babylon is meant, in Isaiah:
Because thou hast destroyed thy land and hast slain thy people (Isa. 14:20).
