843. Verse 18. Here is wisdom. He that hath intelligence let him count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred sixty-six.

18. "Here is wisdom," signifies that this is their doctrine in all its complex, which is thought to be wisdom, although it is insanity (n. 844). "He that hath intelligence let him count the number of the beast," signifies that those who are in enlightenment may inquire into the quality of the faith of that religion (n. 845); "for it is the number of a man," signifies its quality, as if it were from the understanding of truths such as the men of the church must have n. 846; "and his number is six hundred sixty-six," signifies that its quality, nevertheless, is from all falsities and all evils therefrom in the complex n. 847.