399. (Verse 12) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal. That this signifies prediction still further concerning the state of the church, is plain from the signification of opening the seals of the book which was in the Lord's hand, as denoting to reveal things hidden, and to predict things future (concerning which see above, n. 352, 361, 369, 378, 390).

73. And out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. That this signifies the dispersion of falsities by the Word, is evident from the signification of going forth from the mouth, when said of the Lord, as denoting Divine truth, thus the Word, for this proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord; and from the signification of a sabre, or sword, as denoting truth fighting; and since by truth when it fights, falsities are dispersed, therefore also by a sword is signified the dispersion of falsities. The reason why the sword is called sharp and two-edged is on account of entire dispersion. (That a sabre, or sword, signifies truth fighting against falsities, and destroying them, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 2799, 6353, 8294.) As the sword is frequently mentioned in the following pages, as in chap. 2:12, 16; 6:4, 8; 13:10, 14; 19:15, 21; it will be illustrated and shown that it signifies truth fighting with and dispersing falsities, when we come to treat of those passages; therefore we shall not adduce here any quotations from the Word in confirmation of this signification at present.