When 'islands' are contrasted to 'earth' or 'mountains,' they signify the truths of faith, because they are in the sea. They signify doctrinal things which are rituals. 'Islands' signify peoples who are more remote from the worship of God. People who are steeped in the internal sense of the Word, such as angels, do not know what islands are, because they no longer have any concept of such places. Instead they have a perception of more remote worship, like the gentiles outside the church.

'Islands,' in Ezekiel 27:6, signify people in the church in a natural, materially-oriented state but still rational.

(참조: Apocalypse Explained 406; Isaiah 1, Isaiah 49, 49:1)

In Genesis 11:4, this signifies the worship of self, which consists of a person exalting himself above others, even to the point of worship. This is why self-love, which is arrogance and pride, is called 'height,' 'loftiness,' and 'lifting up,' and is described with anything high. Self-love in worship, or the worship of self is called 'a tower,' because 'a city' signifies doctrine, and ancient cities were fortified with towers with guards. Towers were also built on the borders of a country. This is why they were called guard towers, or watchmen in 2 Kings 9:17, 17:9, 18:8, and watch-towers, in Isaiah 23:13.

In Matthew 21:33; Isaiah 5:2, this signifies interior truths into which there is influx, and communication with heaven. (Arcana Coelestia 918[4])

In Psalm 48:12, this signifies to consider the higher or interior things of that church. (Arcana Coelestia 453[10])

'To build a tower,' as in Luke 14:27, signifies acquiring interior truths.

(참조: Arcana Coelestia 4599; Isaiah 25, 30, 30:25)