862. (Verse 4) These are they which were not defiled with women. That this signifies, who have not falsified the truths of the Word, is evident from the signification of being defiled and contaminated with women, as denoting to falsify the truths of the Word. For the signification, here, is the same as that of committing whoredom and playing the harlot. That by whoredoms, harlotries, and adulteries, so often mentioned in the prophetical parts of the Word, are signified the falsifications and adulterations of the truth and good of doctrine pertaining to the church, and consequently to the Word, may be seen above (n. 141, 161, 511, 695, 803). Hence it is the words "for they are virgins" follow, which signify that they are in the affection or love of truth for the sake of truth.

The reason why it is said of those hundred and forty and four thousand that they are not defiled with women, because they are virgins, is, that by those hundred and forty and four thousand are meant all those who are in truths from good; and those who are in truths from good cannot falsify truths. For good opens the spiritual mind which receives light from heaven, and enlightens the natural mind. Therefore when truths appear, they are acknowledged and received, and falsities rejected. It is quite different with those who are in truths without good. Although these believe themselves to be in truths, they are yet in falsities. For truths without good have neither light nor life; therefore they are inwardly black and dead, as it were; and, consequently, when interiorly regarded by them, they are either falsified or separated as if they had no existence. Such are the truths of the Word with those who are in faith separated from charity. When such persons speak from the literal sense of the Word, they cannot but speak truths, because all things of the Word are truths. But those that stand out in the literal sense are appearances of truth; being for the simple-minded and for children, and thence adapted to their apprehension. But when any one of those who are in faith separated from charity interiorly examines them, and wishes to bring out their genuine sense or the genuine truth, he falls into falsities, by means of which he destroys the very truths of heaven, and consequently closes heaven against himself. It is otherwise with those who are in truths from good; for such persons are continually enlightened by the Lord; for the Lord flows into good, and by means of good into truths with man; but not into truths without good, and, consequently, not into faith without charity.