7108. “看哪, 这地的人民如今众多” 表那些属于属灵教会的人为数众多. 这从 “这地的人民” 的含义清楚可知, “这地的人民” 是指那些属于属灵教会的人 (参看2928节), 因为 “人民” 表示那些拥有信之真理的人 (1259, 1260, 3581节), “地” 表示教会 (662, 1066, 1067, 1262, 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118末尾, 3355, 4447, 4535, 4577节).

A 'sword,' as in Ezekiel 21:9-15, signifies a person so desolated that he can see nothing good and true, but only falsities and contradictions. A 'sword,' in the Word, signifies the truth of faith combating and the vastation of truth. In an opposite sense, it signifies falsity combating and the punishment of falsity.

The 'sword,' in Revelation 1:16, represents a dispersion of falsities by the Lord because the sword came out from His mouth, which means it comes from the Word. Because the Word is understood by doctrine taken from it, this is also symbolically meant. It is called a sharp two-edged sword because it pierces the heart and soul.

A 'flaming sword which turned every way,' as in Genesis 3:24, signifies divine truth in extremes, which, like the Word in its literal sense, can be turned.

(Odkazy: Arcana Coelestia 2799)