13
Minä tahdon rangaista Egyptin maan asuvaisia miekalla, nälällä ja rutolla, niinkuin minä tein Jerusalemille;
Jeremiah 44:13
SWORD version by Tero Favorin (tero at favorin dot com)
Apocalypse Revealed # 598
598. 13:13 "It also performs great signs." This symbolizes certifications that their teachings are true, even though they are false.
Signs symbolize certifications that things are true, because signs once occurred to attest to a truth. But after signs and miracles ceased, their symbolism still remained, which is the certification of a truth. Here, however, signs symbolize certifications by the beast or false prophet that its falsities were true, because that is how falsities appear after they are defended.
That signs symbolize certifications that something is true can be seen from the following passages:
(At the end of the age) false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22).
There will also be fearful... signs from heaven... There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars..., the sea and the waves roaring. (Luke 21:11, 25)
(Jehovah) frustrates the signs of liars, drives diviners mad, turning back wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish. (Isaiah 44:25)
Do not learn the way of the gentiles, and do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven. (Jeremiah 10:2)
...they are spirits of demons, performing signs..., to gather them to the battle of that great day... (Revelation 16:14)
Then the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who worked signs in its presence, (and) led astray... (Revelation 19:20)
[2] That signs were certifications that something was a truth is further apparent from the following:
(The disciples said to Jesus,) "What sign do You perform then, that we may... believe You? What work do You do?" (John 6:30-33)
The Jews, scribes and Pharisees sought a sign from the Lord, that they might know He was the Christ (Matthew 12:38-40; 16:1-4, Mark 8:11-12.
(The disciples said to Jesus,) "What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3, cf. Mark 13:4)
...if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, still they will believe the message of the latter sign. (Exodus 4:8-9)
The message of a sign is a certification.
They have set among them the messages of His signs... (Psalms 105:27)
(Jehovah said to Ahaz,) "Ask a sign for yourself from Jehovah...." (Isaiah 7:11, 14)
This is the sign to you from Jehovah...: "Behold, I will turn back the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz...." (Isaiah 38:7-8)
Hezekiah said, "What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of Jehovah?" (Isaiah 38:22)
This shall be a sign to you..., that I will visit you in this place, that you may know that My words will... stand... (Jeremiah 44:29-30)
Show me a sign (O Jehovah) for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed. (Psalms 86:17)
They will... announce to us what will happen..., that we may set our heart... Show the sign that is to come..., that we may know that you are gods. (Isaiah 41:22-23)
Your enemies roar in the midst of your festival; they set up their banners as signs. (Psalms 74:3-4, 9)
And so on elsewhere, as in Isaiah 45:11; 55:13; Jeremiah 32:20-21; Ezekiel 4:3; Psalms 65:6-8; 78:42, 43; Exodus 7:3; Numbers 14:11, 22; Deuteronomy 4:34; 13:1-3; Judges 6:17, 21; 1 Samuel 2:34; 14:10; Mark 16:17, 18, 20; Luke 2:11, 12, 16).
Signs of the covenant have a similar symbolic meaning in Genesis 9:13; 17:11, Ezekiel 20:12, 20.
[3] It can be clearly seen from this that the great signs that this beast of the dragon performed do not mean signs, but certifications by the clergy that their teachings are true. For every heretic who confirms himself in falsities, afterward certifies that his falsities are true. Indeed, he does not see truths any longer, since the certification of a falsity is a denial of the truth, and truth denied loses its light. Moreover, in the measure that the light of their certification causes falsities to shine with an illusory light, in the same measure the light of truth becomes darkness (as may be seen in no. 566 above).
Luke 2
1
Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2
This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3
All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
4
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
5
to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6
It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.
7
She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8
There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9
Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10
The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11
For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12
This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."
13
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
14
"Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men."
15
It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
16
They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17
When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
18
All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
19
But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
21
When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22
When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
23
(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),
24
and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25
Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27
He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28
then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29
"Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
30
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31
which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32
a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel."
33
Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,
34
and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35
Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36
There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
37
and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day.
38
Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
39
When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40
The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41
His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42
When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,
43
and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it,
44
but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45
When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46
It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.
47
All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48
When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."
49
He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"
50
They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them.
51
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
