766. Verse 17. And the dragon was wroth against the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

"And the dragon was wroth against the woman," signifies the hatred of those who are meant by the dragon, against the church, which is the New Jerusalem, enkindled by the perception that it is favoured by many; "and went away to make war with the rest of her seed," signifies and thence a determined effort springing from a life of evil to attack the truths of the doctrine of that church; "who keep the commandments of God," signifies with those who live the life of faith, which is charity; "and have the testimony of Jesus Christ," signifies and who acknowledge the Divine in the Lord's Human.