871. To proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, signifies the announcement respecting it to all who are of the church. This is evident from the signification of "proclaiming," as being to announce the Lord's coming (see just above, n. 870); also from the signification of "them that dwell on the earth," as being those who are of the church, and in particular the good there. (That "the earth" means the church may be seen above, n. 29, 304, 413, 417, 697, 741, 742, 752; and that "to dwell" is predicated of the good, n. 479, 662.)