799. And his tabernacle. That this signifies all the doctrine of the church, and worship therefrom, is evident from the signification of the tabernacle, as denoting the church as to doctrine and worship, consequently also the doctrine and worship of the church. The falsification of these is therefore signified by blaspheming the tabernacle of God.

The reason why tabernacle signifies the church as to doctrine and worship is, that those who belonged to the church in the most ancient times dwelt in tabernacles and tents, which also they took on their journeys. For at that time they were mostly feeders of sheep; and the father of the family taught those who were born of his house the precepts of charity, and thence the life of love, in tabernacles, as, afterwards, in temples. Hence the tabernacle signified the same as the house of God, that is, the worship of God according to doctrine. Consequently it also signified the church, because the church is the church from a life according to doctrine; and a life according to doctrine is worship.

[2] Because those most ancient people among whom the church existed worshipped God under a human form; and because God under a human form is the Lord, they consequently worshipped Him. Their church was therefore a celestial church, distinguished from a spiritual church in this, that the celestial church is in love to the Lord, and in worship from that love; while the spiritual church is in love towards the neighbour, and in worship from that love. And because such was the quality of the church among the most ancient people, and the doctrine of love to the Lord was taught in their tabernacles, and hence tabernacles were loved by the Lord more than temples, therefore by command of the Lord on Mount Sinai, a tabernacle was built, in which the Israelitish nation might perform holy worship; and afterwards, in memory of the most holy worship in tabernacles, the feast of tabernacles was instituted. From these things it is evident why it is that the tabernacle signifies the doctrine of the church, and worship therefrom.

[3] This signification of tabernacles is also evident from the following passages:

In Moses:

"How goodly are thy tabernacles, O Jacob, thy tents, O Israel" (Numbers 24:5).

In this and other parts of the Word they are called tabernacles, and also tents; and by tabernacle is signified the church consisting of those who are in the good of love to the Lord, and by tent the church consisting of those who are in truths from that good. And because doctrine and worship therefrom make the church, therefore by tabernacle is signified the doctrine of the good of love; and by tent the doctrine of truth from that good. Hence also by tabernacles, in the plural, are signified the goods of the church and of doctrine; and by tents the truths of the church and of doctrine. It is therefore evident what is signified by the above words of Balaam, "How goodly are thy tabernacles, O Jacob, thy tents, O Israel"; for by Jacob is signified the church which is in the good of doctrine and of life, and by Israel the church which is in truths from good.

[4] In Jeremiah:

"Jehovah bringeth back the captivity of the tabernacles of Jacob, and I will have compassion on his tents, and the city shall be built upon its own heap, and the palace thereof shall be inhabited after its former manner" (30:18).

Here, also, tabernacles and tents are mentioned; and by tabernacles are signified the goods of the church or of the doctrine thereof, and by tents the truths of the church and the doctrine thereof. By captivity is signified spiritual captivity, which takes place when the goods and truths of the church or of doctrine are, as it were, imprisoned. Wherefore to bring back their captivity signifies to restore them. What the rest signifies may be seen above (n. 724).

[5] In Isaiah:

"Enlarge the place of thy tabernacle, and let them stretch out the curtains of thy tents; prohibit not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy bars" (54:2).

This said of the barren who did not bear, who signify the Gentiles, among whom the church was to be established by the Lord. The state of the good of love of that church is signified by the place of thy tabernacle; and the truths from that good are signified by the curtains of thy tents. The fructification of good and the multiplication of truth is signified by enlarging and stretching out. By the cords is signified their conjunction; and by bars their strength.

[6] In David:

"One thing have I desired of Jehovah, this will I seek, that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to see the pleasantness of Jehovah, to visit in the morning his temple. For he shall hide me in his tent in the evil day; he shall hide me in the secret of his tabernacle, he shall lift me up upon a rock" (Psalm 27:4, 5).

Here the house of Jehovah, the temple, the tent, and the tabernacle are mentioned. And by the house of Jehovah is signified the church which is in the good of love to the Lord; by temple the church which is in truths from that good; by the tent of Jehovah is signified Divine truth, and by the tabernacle Divine Good. Hence it is evident, that by dwelling in the house of Jehovah all the days of one's life, is not meant to dwell in the house of Jehovah, but in the good of love to the Lord; and that by visiting in the morning the temple of Jehovah, is not meant to visit a temple every morning, but to inquire into and learn the truths of that good. By hiding in the tent is signified therefore to keep stedfastly in Divine truth, and to protect from falsities. And by hiding in the secret of the tabernacle, is signified to keep stedfastly in Divine Good and to protect from evils. By lifting up upon a rock is signified to instruct in interior truths.

[7] Again:

"Jehovah, who shall abide in thy tabernacle, who shall dwell in the mountain of thy holiness? He who walketh uprightly, and doeth justice, and speaketh the truth" (Psalm 15:1, 2).

Where also by tabernacle is signified the church as to the good of love, consequently also the good of love. By the mountain of holiness, by which is meant Jerusalem, is signified the church as to truths of doctrine from that good. It may be known, therefore, what is signified by abiding in them. He who walketh uprightly signifies one who is in good as to life, and in truths as to doctrine. Therefore it is also said, "who doeth justice and speaketh the truth;" and by doing justice is signified to be in good as to life, and by speaking the truth is signified to be in truths as to doctrine.

[8] Again:

"I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever, I will confide in the hiding-place of thy wings" (Psalm 61:4).

To abide in the tabernacle for ever, signifies to be in the Divine Good of love. To confide in the hiding-place of thy wings, signifies to be in Divine truths; for the wings of Jehovah, signify spiritual truths.

[9] In Isaiah:

"By mercy was the throne established; and he sat upon it in verity in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking judgment, and hastening justice" (16:5).

These things are said of the Lord. Heaven which was established by Him; the church therefore is signified by the throne established by mercy. That the Lord there reigns by Divine truth from Divine Good, is signified by sitting upon it in verity in the tabernacle of David. By David is meant the Lord as to His royalty, which is Divine truth; and by His tabernacle is signified the Divine Good. By judgment is signified the truth of doctrine because all judgment is from it; and by justice is signified the good of love, both of which are from the Lord Himself among those who are in heaven and those who are in the church.

[10] In the same:

"Look upon Zion, the city of our stated feasts, let thine eyes see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle which shall not be taken down; the bars thereof shall not be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be plucked up" (33:20).

By Zion here is not meant Zion, nor by Jerusalem, Jerusalem, but heaven and the church as to the good of love and the truth of doctrine. These things are the quiet habitation, and the tabernacle which shall not be taken down. By the bars which shall not be removed, is signified to be strengthened by Divine truths; and by the cords which shall not be broken, is signified conjunction by means of Divine Good.

[11] In Jeremiah:

"My tabernacle is devastated, and all my cords plucked away, my sons have gone forth from me, and they are not; there is no longer any to stretch out my tabernacle, and to set up my curtains" (10:20).

By the tabernacle which is devastated is signified the church in which there is no longer any good. By the cords being plucked away is signified that there is no conjunction. By the sons going forth and being no more, is signified that there are no longer any truths. By none stretching out the tabernacle any more, nor setting the curtains, is signified that no one any longer in the church teaches the good of love and the truth from that good, the curtains denoting the truths proceeding from good and covering it.

[12] In the same:

"The whole earth is devastated, suddenly my tabernacles are devastated, my curtains in a moment" (4:20).

By the earth which is devastated is signified the church by the tabernacles which are devastated its goods; and by curtains its truths.

Again:

"Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel shall take their tabernacle and their flocks, their curtains and all their vessels, and their camels he shall take away for himself" (49:28-29).

This is spoken of the vastation of Arabia, by which is signified the church which is in truths from good. The goods of that church are signified by the tabernacle and their flocks; the truths thereof by the curtains and all the vessels; and the knowledges of truth by the camels. By Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel are signified the evils and falsities which lay waste. Similar things are signified by the tabernacles of Arabia, mentioned in Psalm 120:5.

[13] In Jeremiah:

"The shepherds and their flocks shall come unto Zion, they shall fix tabernacles against her, they shall consume every one his space" (6:3).

By these words also is described the vastation of the church as to the good of love, Zion denoting the church in which that good exists. By the tabernacles which the shepherds and flocks shall fix against her, are signified the evils and their falsities which devastate it. They shall consume every one his space, signifies that it shall be altogether deprived of goods and truths.

[14] In Hosea:

"Egypt shall gather them, Memphis shall bury them, the desirable place of their silver the nettle shall possess, and the thorn shall be in their tabernacles" (9:6).

This is spoken of the vastation of the church by the falsifications of truth. By Israel, of whom these things are said, is signified that church. That the natural man and his cupidity will destroy them, is signified by Egypt shall gather them, Memphis shall bury them. That falsity will destroy all truth, is signified by, the desirable place of their silver the nettle shall possess; and that evils of falsity will destroy all their good, is signified by, thorns shall be in their tabernacles.

[15] In Isaiah:

"Who dwelleth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as locusts, who stretcheth out the heavens as something fine, and spreadeth them out as a tabernacle to dwell in" (40:22).

To dwell upon the circle of the earth, signifies upon the heavens; for the heaven encompasseth the earth as a circle its centre. Whence the Lord is called the Most High, and He that dwelleth in the highest. The inhabitants thereof as locusts, signifies men in the extremes; for the locust signifies what is alive in ultimates - specifically truth in ultimates - and, in the opposite sense, falsity there. Who stretcheth out the heavens as something fine, signifies omnipotence to amplify the heavens at will; and spreadeth them out as a tabernacle to dwell in, signifies nearly the same, but the latter the enlargement of the heavens as to goods, and the former their enlargement as to truths.

[16] Again in Hosea:

"As yet will I cause thee to dwell in tabernacles, according to the days of the time appointed" (12:9).

The subject treated of is Ephraim, who being enriched said that he had found wealth (ver. 8), whereby is signified that he had procured for himself the knowledges of truth. For by Ephraim is signified the understanding of the Word and the Intellectual of the church. Therefore by causing him to dwell in tabernacles is signified to be in the church where good is. According to the days of the time appointed, signifies, until those knowledges perish.

[17] In Zechariah:

"Jehovah shall save the tabernacles of Judah first" (12:7).

The tabernacles of Judah denote the goods of the Word and the goods of the church; for by Judah is signified the Word, and also the church, as to the good of love to the Lord.

In Lamentations:

"The Lord hath bent his bow as a foe, he stood with his right hand as an enemy, and slew all things that were pleasant to the eyes; into the tabernacles of the daughter of Zion he poured out his anger like fire" (2:4).

Here, the subject treated of is the devastation of the church as to truths and as to goods. Devastation as to the truths thereof is signified by slaying all things that were pleasant to the eyes; and devastation as to goods by pouring out His anger like fire into the tabernacles of the daughter of Zion. Things pleasant, in the Word, are said of truths, and eyes of the understanding of truth; tabernacles are said of goods, and anger, like fire, of the vastation of good. The daughter of Zion signifies the church which is in the affection of truth from the love of good.

[18] Again in David:

"He hath set for the sun a tabernacle in the heavens" (Psalm 19:4).

By the sun is there meant the Lord as to Divine Love; because He dwells in the good of His own love in the heavens; therefore it is said, He hath set a tabernacle for the sun in the heavens, the tabernacle there denoting the Lord's heaven from the good of love.

Again:

"Because thou hast made Jehovah the Most High thy habitation, no evil shall befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy tabernacle" (Psalm 91:9, 10).

By the habitation of Jehovah and by His tabernacle, are signified heaven and the church, by habitation, heaven and the church as to truths, and by tabernacle heaven and the church as to goods. The removal of and protection from evils and the falsities of evil, is signified by making the Most High his dwelling, and by no evil befalling him nor plague coming nigh him.

[19] Again in David:

"He shall pluck thee out of the tabernacle, and shall root thee out of the land of the living" (Psalm 52:5).

This is said of Doeg the Edomite. That he should be expelled from all the good of the church, is signified by being plucked out of the tabernacle; and also from all the truths of the church, is signified by being rooted out of the land of the living, the land denotes the church, and those are called the living who are in truths from good.

By tabernacle is signified the church as to good, or the good of the church, in the following passages also:-

"That Jehovah would set a tabernacle in the midst of them, would walk in the midst of them, and be to them for a God" (Leviticus 26:11, 12).

This was one among the blessings.

After that the Lord was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, Peter said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here, and let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias" (Matthew 17:4; Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33).

"I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them" (Apocalypse 21:3).

"He forsook the tent of Shiloh, the Tabernacle, in which he dwelt amongst men" (Psalm 78:60).

"He refused the tent of Joseph" (Psalm 78:67).

That a tent signifies the church as to truths of doctrine, is evident from the passages in the Word where a tent or tents are mentioned.

As in Isaiah 22:16; Jeremiah 9:19; Ezekiel 25:4; Amos 9:11; Hab. 1:6; Psalm. 43:3; 46:4; 74:7.

[20] Because heaven and the church as to the doctrine of the good of love, was signified by a tabernacle, and as to the doctrine of truth from that good by a tent, and this from the holy worship of the Lord by the most ancient people, as said at the commencement of this article; therefore, it pleased the Lord that a tabernacle should be erected by Moses, in which representative worship was to be performed, which is described in Exodus (26:7-15; 36:8-37). And it was afterwards commanded, that

All the tribes of Israel should encamp about it, and that the Levites who were to guard it should be near to it (Numbers 1:10-54; 3:7-39).

"And also that they should journey with it" (Numbers 9:15).

That tabernacle was representative of heaven and the church. This is clear from the fact

That the form of it was shown to Moses upon Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:9; 26:30).

And whatever is shown in its form so as to be seen in heaven and from heaven, is representative. That the tabernacle was representative of heaven itself where the Lord is, and thence also of the church, is evident from its holiness

For it was not lawful for any one to enter it, except Aaron and his sons, and that if the people drew near, they should die (Numbers 17:12, 13; 18:1, 22, 23; 19:14-19).

Also in that

There was a cloud upon it by day, and the appearance of fire by night (Exodus 40:38; Numbers 9:15; Isaiah 4:5, 6).

And afterwards that

A feast was celebrated, which was called the feast of tabernacles, and they were to be glad from the produce of the corn-floor and of the wine-press (Leviticus 23:39-44; Deuteronomy 16:13, 14; Zech. 14:16, 18, 19).

By the produce of the corn-floor was signified all the good of the church, the same as by bread and corn; and by the produce of the wine-press was signified all the truth of the good of the church, the same as by wine; and by being glad on the occasion was signified the delight of celestial and spiritual love arising from these.

That everything belonging to the tabernacle - as the ark, the propitiatory with the cherubs upon it, the veil, the table upon which was the bread, the altar of incense, the candlestick, the curtains, the coverings, the staves and pillars, the cords, pins, etc. - were representative of heaven and the church, may be seen in the Arcana Coelestia where Exodus is treated of; in which all these things are explained. It is also there shown, that the holiness of all these things resulted from the Law deposited in the ark; for the Law signified the Word, and thereby represented the Lord, who is the Word.

430. A hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe [of the sons] of Israel.- That this signifies all who are in truth from good, and therefore in the church of the Lord, is evident from the signification of "a hundred and forty and four thousand," as denoting all things, and because it is stated of those who are in truths from good, of which signification we shall speak presently; and from the signification of the tribes of Israel, as denoting those who are in truths from good, and who are therefore in the church of the Lord, for tribes signify truths from good, and Israel signifies the church. That the tribes of Israel have this signification, will be seen in the following article. The reason why "a hundred and forty and four thousand" signifies all things and all persons, and is stated of truths from good, is, that this number arises out of the number twelve, which signifies all things and all persons, and is used in reference to truths from good. For the larger numbers, and those formed from the smaller, have the same signification as the smaller numbers and the simple ones from which they result by multiplication. Upon this fact see Arcana Coelestia 5291, 5335, 5708, 7973). For example, a hundred and forty-four, as well as a hundred and forty-four thousand, signify the same as twelve, for a hundred and forty-four is the result of twelve, multiplied into itself, and 144,000 of 12,000 multiplied into twelve. ¹

[2] There are simple numbers whose signification is higher than others, and from these the larger numbers derive their significations, namely, the numbers two, three, five, and seven. Two signifies union, and is used in reference to good; three signifies what is full, and is used in reference to truths; five signifies much and some, and seven signifies what is holy. From the number two the numbers 4, 8, 16, 400, 800, 1600, 4000, 8000, 16,000 result, and these have the same signification as two, because they result from this simple number multiplied into itself, and then multiplied into 10. From the number three result 6, 12, 24, 72, 144, 1440, 144,000, and these also have the same signification as three, because they arise from this simple number by multiplication. From the number five arise 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000, 100,000, and these also have the same signification as the number five, because they are the result of multiplication. From the number seven arise 14, 70, 700, 7000, 70,000, and these results have a similar signification. Because the number three signifies what is full, and full denotes all, therefore from this the number twelve derives its signification of all things and all persons. The reason why it is used of truths from good is, because it is the result of three multiplied into four, and three is used of truths and four of good, as stated above.

[3] He who does not know that the number twelve signifies all things, and that the numbers which arise from it by multiplication have a similar signification, and that each tribe signifies something that is a universal and an essential of the church, merely knows that only 12,000 out of every tribe of Israel were sealed, and that these therefore were received, or were to be received into heaven, when yet by the 12,000 are not meant 12,000, nor by the tribes named there the tribes of Israel; but by 12,000 are meant all, and by the tribes of Israel, those who are in truths from good, and therefore all who form the church of the Lord in whatever part of the earth they may be. Every one who thinks intelligently may understand that such things are signified; for where are those tribes now, and where were they when John wrote this? Were they not, except the tribe of Judah, dispersed throughout a large part of the globe? And where is known to no one. And yet it is said that they were to be sealed, in order that they might be introduced by the Lord into heaven, and be with Him, as is clear in the Apocalypse (chap. 14:1, 3, 4). Besides, it is well known that eleven of the tribes there named were banished from the land of Canaan because of their idolatries and other abominations; similarly the Jewish nation, whose character is described in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 248). It is evident therefore that 12,000 does not mean 12,000, nor do tribes mean the tribes of Israel, but all who are in truths from good, thus all who are of the church of the Lord. This will be further seen from the signification of each tribe in the spiritual sense; for each tribe signifies something that is a universal or an essential of the church, in which those are who belong to the church. The universal of each has reference also to truths from good, and these are manifold. For all who are in the heavens differ from one another in regard to good, and therefore in regard to truth, because every living truth in a man and in an angel is from good, and is according to it. Besides, all those who are of the church of the Lord are in truths from good, for those who are in truths and not in good, are not of the church; since as was just stated, every living truth in a man and in an angel is from good. Concerning this see above (n. 6, 59, 136, 242, 286, 292); and in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 11-27). That goods and truths thence are of infinite variety, may be seen in Heaven and Hell 56, 71, 405, 418, 486, 588), and in the small work The Last Judgment 13); also in Arcana Coelestia 684, 690, 3241, 3267, 3470, 3519, 3744-3746, 3804, 3986, 4067, 4149, 4263, 5598, 6917, 7236, 7833, 7836, 9002. The reason why goods and the truths from them are of infinite variety, is because every angel, and every man in whom is the church, is his own good, and consequently his own truth; therefore the whole heaven is arranged according to the affections that pertain to love to the Lord, and to charity towards the neighbour, and faith thence; and all good pertains to those affections.

[4] That the number 144,000, or the number 12,000 multiplied into twelve, signifies all truths from good, in regard to their classes and species in their entirety, is evident from the use of the number 144 - which results from twelve multiplied into twelve - in other parts of the Apocalypse, where the city, New Jerusalem, is described by measurements in numbers. Concerning the dimensions of its wall, it is said,

"He measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel" (Apoc. 21:17).

The city Jerusalem here signifies the New Church to be established by the Lord, and its doctrine; therefore, all the things mentioned, as the wall, the gates, and the foundations, mean such things as relate to the church consequently spiritual things. And because the church and its doctrine are described in the sense of the letter by the city Jerusalem, and a city admits of measurement, therefore the spiritual things of that church are described by measurements in numbers, and its wall by the number 144, or twelve multiplied into twelve, by which number are signified truths from good in their whole extent, for a wall signifies truths defending against falsities and evils. That this number has such a signification, is plain from the statement that the measure of 144 cubits is the measure of a man, that is of an angel

No one can understand what this involves, unless it be known that measure, in the spiritual sense, has the same signification as number, namely, the quality of the thing treated of; and that man signifies the reception of truth from spiritual affection, that is, from good and intelligence thence. The signification of "an angel" is similar. For a man is an angel when he is in truths from good; he also becomes an angel after death. The number 144,000 has the same signification. For a larger or smaller number, if from the same origin, has a similar signification, a larger number being used when a great multitude is concerned, or when it embraces many classes at the same time, as in the case of 144,000, which embraces all the classes of truth from good, signified by twelve thousand sealed out of every tribe; and as is the case with the measure of the wall, which is said to be 144 cubits, because it includes both the gates and the foundations, which are twelve in number.

[5] Concerning the gates and the foundations of the New Jerusalem, it is said, "Having a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and above the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes [of the sons] of Israel. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." And the foundations consisted of twelve precious stones (Apocalypse 21:[12, 14,] 19-21). Will not he who knows that the New Jerusalem means a new church, be able to see that the number twelve so frequently mentioned means that chief and primary thing from which the church exists? And the chief and primary constituent of the church is truth from good, for everything pertaining to the church is from that, since truth pertains to its doctrine and good to life according to doctrine. But the particular signification of the gates and the foundations will be given in the explanation of that chapter.

[6] Because that number signifies all things, and is used in reference to truths from good, and the New Jerusalem signifies a new church, therefore the dimensions of the city itself are also stated in the following words by the same number multiplied,

"And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large as the breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal" (Apoc. 21:16).

What is signified in the spiritual sense by length, breadth and height, will be also explained hereafter. The City, in that sense, means the doctrine of the church; and by 12,000 [furlongs] are meant all its truths from good.

[7] The number twelve is also used of the fruits of the trees which were about the river in the following words, "In the midst of the street of it, and on this side of the river and on that side, was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, and yielding its fruit every month" (Apoc. 22:2). Since truths of doctrine are signified by the streets of the city, since intelligence is signified by the river going forth thence, perception of truth from good from the Lord by the tree of life, and good from which are truths by fruits, it is therefore clear that twelve signifies truths from good, by means of which there is intelligence and from which the church exists.

[8] Because a representative church was to be established with the sons of Jacob, it was therefore provided by the Lord that he should have twelve sons (see Genesis 29:32-35; 30:1-25; 35:22-26), in order that collectively they might represent all things of the church, and individually something in particular; consequently twelve tribes sprang from them (Genesis 49:28), and these also signify all things of the church, while each tribe signifies some essential of the church. It is therefore said in what now follows that there were 12,000 sealed out of every tribe, by whom are signified all those who are in that essential of the church, or all those who are in that kind of truth from good; for truth from good makes the church with all, truth being of doctrine, and good of life, as stated above. What truth from good is, and its quality, may be seen in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 24).

[9] Because the twelve tribes named after the twelve sons of Jacob represented the church, and everything belonging to it, therefore the number twelve, on account of such signification, was used in connection with various subjects. For example, it is said that the princes of Israel were twelve in number (Numbers 1:44); that these twelve princes brought to the dedication of the altar twelve silver chargers, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden spoons, twelve bullocks, twelve rams, twelve lambs, and twelve goats (7:84, 87). By each of the things which they brought are signified such things as relate to truths from good. So also twelve men were sent to explore the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 1:23); for the land of Canaan signifies the church. Also twelve precious stones were set in the breast-plate of judgment, or in the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:21; 39:14); precious stones signify truths from good. Again, twelve cakes were placed upon the table in two rows, which were called the bread of faces (Leviticus 24:5, 6); the bread signifies the good of love, and the table its reception, so also truth in general, because this is the recipient of good. Again, Moses built an altar under Mount Sinai, and erected twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 24:4); for the altar signifies the good of the church, and the pillars, its truths; therefore by the altar and the twelve pillars are signified all truths from good, by means of which the church exists.

[10] So also twelve men carried twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, and set them up in Gilgal, that they might be for a memorial among the sons of Israel. Twelve stones were also placed in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests stood who bare the ark of the covenant (Josh. 4:1-9, 20). The Jordan in the Word signifies introduction into the church; the stones carried thence, and those [set up] in the midst of the river, signify the truths of the church, by means of which introduction takes place. Elijah also took twelve stones, and built an altar (1 Kings 18:31, 32); for an altar signifies the good of the church, and stones signify its truths.

[11] So again,

Moses chose twelve thousand of the sons of Israel, to fight against Midian under the command of Phinehas, and they returned with great spoil, without the loss of a single man (Numbers 31:5, 6, 49).

Midian signifies those who are in the knowledges of truth, but still not in a life agreeable to them, and therefore twelve thousand were sent against him; the great spoil taken from them, has the same signification as the raiment, the silver, and gold, which the sons of Israel took from the Egyptians (Exodus 3:22; 12:35, 36); and similarly the unjust mammon, of which the Lord told His disciples to make to themselves friends (Luke 16:9), which means the knowledges of truth, which they possess in doctrine and not in life.

[12] Solomon also placed the brazen sea which he made, upon twelve oxen (1 Kings 7:25, 44). The brazen sea signifies truth from good; the water in it, truth; and the brass of which the sea was made, good; while the twelve oxen signify all goods and the truths thence upon which they are founded. Also Solomon made a throne of ivory, with six steps up to it, and twelve lions standing upon them on both sides (1 Kings 10:18-20). The throne of Solomon signified judgment, this being from truths that are from good; it also represented Divine Truth from Divine Good. Lions signify the truths of heaven and of the church in their power; and twelve, all, as may be seen above (n. 253:6, 7).

[13] It is said concerning Ishmael, that he should be blessed and should increase, and that twelve princes should be born of him (Genesis 17:20; 25:16). This was said of Ishmael, because he signified the external church with all its truths from good. It is said of Elisha that he was found by Elijah ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he among the twelve; and that then he cast his mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19). This was done and said because Elijah and Elisha represented the Lord as to the Word, in which are all truths from good; therefore when that representation was transferred from Elijah to Elisha, signified by his casting his mantle upon him, Elisha was seen ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself among the twelve, which signifies the formation of the church by means of truths from good from the Word, as may be seen above (n. 395:4).

It is said in the Apocalypse that "a woman was seen clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars" (12:1).

This was seen because a woman signifies the church, and stars signify cognitions of truth; the good of these is signified by a crown, and intelligence by the head.

[14] The twelve apostles of the Lord, also, have a similar representation to that of the twelve tribes of Israel; collectively they represented the church, and individually, some essential of the church; for this reason they were twelve in number. From these considerations it is evident whence and why it is said that the New Jerusalem, by which are signified the church and its doctrines, had twelve gates, and above the gates twelve angels, and names written, which are those of the twelve tribes of Israel; that the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Apoc. 21:12, 14). Here by twelve angels, twelve tribes, and twelve apostles, are not meant angels, tribes and apostles, but all things of the church. Also, it is said that the apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones, and shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). This does not mean that the apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel, but that the Lord alone shall judge everyone by means of the Divine Truth from the Divine Good, as may be seen above (n. 9, 206, 253:6, 270, 297, 333).

[15] He who does not know that twelve signifies all things, cannot know the interior truth signified by the twelve baskets of fragments that remained over from the five loaves and the two fishes, with which the Lord fed five thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 14:15-21; Mark 6:37-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:9-13); in these places every particular, even to the very numbers, is significative. The five thousand men, besides women and children, signify all those of the church who are in truths from good; the men, those in truths; and the women and children, those who are in good; the loaves signify the goods, and the fishes the truths of the natural man; and by their eating and being filled is signified spiritual nourishment from the Lord; the twelve baskets of fragments signify the cognitions of truth and good thence in perfect abundance and fulness.

[16] Because twelve signifies all things, and is used in reference to truths from good, which make the church, therefore the Lord, when He was twelve years old, left [His] father and mother, and tarried in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions (Luke 2:42-46); by which is meant the initiation and introduction of His Human into all things of heaven and of the church. Therefore also when found He said, "Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" (verse 49). Since the number twelve signifies all things, and is used in reference to truths from good, therefore the Lord said, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not" (John 11:9). Day signifies enlightenment in truths from good, and the twelve hours of the day signify all things of truth from good, and walking signifies to live. Therefore these words, in the spiritual sense, signify that he who lives in any kind of truth that is from good is in enlightenment, and does not wander into falsities. Because twelve signifies all things therefore the Lord said, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall cause to assist Me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53). The twelve legions of angels mean the whole heaven, and more than these signify the Divine Omnipotence.

From these things the signification of a hundred and forty-four thousand out of every tribe is now evident, namely, all who are in truths from good. The twelve thousand out of every tribe mean all who are in that kind of truth from good which is signified by the particular tribe mentioned. Therefore neither twelve thousand are meant nor those who were of the tribes of Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Napthali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Moreover, it should be understood that all these, or the hundred and forty-four thousand, mean those who were taken up into heaven before the Last Judgment. But by those afterwards mentioned from verse 9 to the end of this chapter, are meant those who were reserved by the Lord until the Last Judgment, and who were then first taken up into heaven; concerning, these see above (n. 391:1, 392:3, 394, 397). For those who were in truths from good were all received into heaven before the Judgment; but those who were in good, and not yet in truths, were reserved, and in the meantime instructed and prepared for heaven. We shall speak further of these in the following pages. Those taken up into heaven before the Judgment, are also meant by those of whom it is said in the Apocalypse, chapter 14:1: "The Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." It is further said of these, that "no man could learn that song, but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were bought from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins bought from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and unto the Lamb" (verses 3, 4). The same are also meant by those who are of the first resurrection; and the rest those who are of the second resurrection (Apoc. 20:4-6).

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