870. And death and hell gave up the dead which were in them, signifies the men of the church who were wicked at heart, and who in themselves were devils and satans, called together to judgment. By "death and hell" no others are meant than they who interiorly in themselves were devils and satans, by "death" they who were inwardly in themselves devils, and by "hell" they who inwardly in themselves were satans, consequently all the wicked at heart, who nevertheless in externals appeared like men of the church; for no others were called together to this universal judgment; for they who in externals are like men of the church, whether they be of the laity or clergy, and in internals are devils and satans, are judged, because in them externals are to be separated from internals, and such likewise can be judged, because they have known and professed the things which are of the church. That by "death" are meant the wicked at heart who in themselves were devils, and by "hell" they who in themselves were satans, may appear from its being said, that "death and hell were cast into the lake of fire" (verse 14); for neither death nor hell can be cast into hell, but they can who as to their interiors are death and hell, that is, who are in themselves devils and satans. Who are meant by the Devil and Satan, may be seen above (n. 97, 841, 857); and that they are death who in themselves are devils, above (n. 866). In other places also mention is made of "death and hell," as in the following:
The Son of man said, I have the keys of death and hell (Re. 1:18).
The name of him who sat on the pale horse was Death, and hell followed him (Rev. 6:8).
In like manner Hos. 13:14; Ps. 18:4, 5; 49:14, 15; 116:3.