Apocalypse Explained # 636
636. And they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and sixty days, signifies that they shall teach, and what shall be taught, even to the end of the old church and the beginning of the new. This is evident from the signification of "to prophesy," as being to teach (See above, n. 624); here both to teach and to be taught, for this is said of "the two witnesses," which signify the good of love and charity and the truth of doctrine and faith, for these with man are what teach and what also are taught; for those who are in the goods of love and in the truths of doctrine teach, and the goods of love and the truths of doctrine are what are taught by them. It is evident also from the signification of "a thousand two hundred and sixty days," as being even to the end of the old church and the beginning of the new, for "a thousand two hundred and sixty days" have a similar signification as "three and a half," since a thousand two hundred and sixty days make three years and a half, computing three hundred and sixty days to the year, and "three and a half" signifies the end of a former state and the beginning of a new one, here the end of the former church and the beginning of the new one, for this refers here to the last time of the church. Because this is the signification of this number, it is said in the ninth verse of this chapter:
They shall see their bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer them to be placed in sepulchers;
and afterwards in the eleventh verse:
And after three days and a half the spirit of life from God entered into them.
In these passages "three days and a half" signify the end of the old church, when no good of love or truth of doctrine whatever will be received; and also the beginning of a new church when they will be received. The end of the former church is signified by "the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall kill these witnesses," and the beginning of the new church is signified by "the spirit of life from God entered into them." The number "a thousand two hundred and sixty" has a similar signification as "three and a half," because in the Word "ages," "years," "months," "weeks," "days," and "hours," have a like signification, for these mean merely times, and times in general and in particular, or times greater or less, equally signify states, for a greater or less time designated by numbers does not change the signification of the thing (as shown above, n.571, 633). The same number of days has a like signification in the next chapter of Revelation:
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and sixty days (Revelation 12:6).
The "woman" here means the church; the "wilderness," where she should be nourished, signifies where there is no reception of good and truth; and "after the passing of those days" signifies a new state of the church.
以西结书 27
3
说:你居住海口,是众民的商埠;你的交易通到许多的海岛。主耶和华如此说:推罗啊,你曾说:我是全然美丽的。
5
他们用示尼珥的松树做你的一切板,用利巴嫩的香柏树做桅杆,
6
用巴珊的橡树做你的桨,用象牙镶嵌基提海岛的黄杨木为坐板(或译:舱板)。
7
你的篷帆是用埃及绣花细麻布做的,可以做你的大旗;你的凉棚是用以利沙岛的蓝色、紫色布做的。
8
西顿和亚发的居民作你荡桨的。推罗啊,你中间的智慧人作掌舵的。
9
迦巴勒的老者和聪明人都在你中间作补缝的;一切泛海的船只和水手都在你中间经营交易的事。
10
波斯人、路德人、弗人在你军营中作战士;他们在你中间悬挂盾牌和头盔,彰显你的尊荣。
11
亚发人和你的军队都在你四围的墙上,你的望楼也有勇士;他们悬挂盾牌,成全你的美丽。
12
他施人因你多有各类的财物,就作你的客商,拿银、铁、锡、铅兑换你的货物。
13
雅完人、土巴人、米设人都与你交易;他们用人口和铜器兑换你的货物。
15
底但人与你交易,许多海岛作你的码头;他们拿象牙、乌木与你兑换(或译:进贡)。
16
亚兰人因你的工作很多,就作你的客商;他们用绿宝石、紫色布绣货、细麻布、珊瑚、红宝石兑换你的货物。
17
犹大和以色列地的人都与你交易;他们用米匿的麦子、饼、蜜、油、乳香兑换你的货物。
18
大马色人因你的工作很多,又因你多有各类的财物,就拿黑本酒和白羊毛与你交易。
19
威但人和雅完人拿纺成的线、亮铁、桂皮、菖蒲兑换你的货物。
20
底但人用高贵的毯子、鞍、屉与你交易。
21
亚拉伯人和基达的一切首领都作你的客商,用羊羔、公绵羊、公山羊与你交易。
22
示巴和拉玛的商人与你交易,他们用各类上好的香料、各类的宝石,和黄金兑换你的货物。
23
哈兰人、干尼人、伊甸人、示巴的商人,和亚述人、基抹人与你交易。
24
这些商人以美好的货物包在绣花蓝色包袱内,又有华丽的衣服装在香柏木的箱子里,用绳捆着与你交易。
27
你的资财、物件、货物、水手、掌舵的、补缝的、经营交易的,并你中间的战士和人民,在你破坏的日子必都沉在海中。
28
你掌舵的呼号之声一发,郊野都必震动。
32
他们哀号的时候,为你作起哀歌哀哭,说:有何城如推罗?有何城如他在海中成为寂寞的呢?
33
你由海上运出货物,就使许多国民充足;你以许多资财、货物使地上的君王丰富。