871. To proclaim tidings to them that dwell on the earth. That this signifies its announcement to all who belong to the church, is clear from the signification of evangelising, as denoting to announce the Lord's Advent, concerning which we have spoken just above (n. 870). And from the signification of them that dwell on the earth, as denoting those who belong to the church, and specifically, the good there. That the earth is the church may be seen above (n. 29, 304, 413, 417, 697, 741, 742, 752); and that to dwell is said of the good (n. 479, 662).