556. And their teeth were as the teeth of lions.- That this signifies that sensual things, which are the ultimates of the intellectual life, are to them apparently powerful over all things, is evident from the signification of teeth, which denote things sensual, which are the ultimates of the natural life as to the understanding, of which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of lions, which denote the truths of the church as to power, but which in this case, denote falsities destroying truths, thus also as to power, see above (n. 278). Falsities are here denoted, because by the locusts are signified the corporeal sensual who are in the falsities of evil. The reason why they appear to themselves to be in understanding, and thence in power over all things, is, that the persuasive [power] itself, treated of above, resides in the Sensual, which is the ultimate of the natural life. For this [Sensual], or the sensual man, is in self-confidence, and in the belief that he is wiser than others, for he cannot weigh and explore himself, because he does not think interiorly; and when he is persuaded of this, then this confidence and belief are in every thing which he utters. Hence because the tone of his utterance is derived from these, it fascinates and infatuates the minds of others, for the tone of confidence and belief produces such an effect which is particularly manifest in the spiritual world, where a man speaks from his spirit. For the affection of self-confidence, and of the belief derived therefrom that a thing is so, is in the spirit of man, and the spirit of man speaks from affection. It is otherwise in the natural world, in which the spirit of man speaks by means of the body; and, on account of the world, brings forth such things as are not from the affection of his spirit, which he rarely manifests, lest the quality thereof should be known. This is the reason that it is not known in the world, that there exists a persuasive [power] of such an infatuating and suffocating quality as is in the spirit of the sensual man, who believes himself to be wise above others. From these things it is evident why by their teeth being like the teeth of lions is signified that sensual men appear to themselves to be as it were in understanding, and thence in power over all things. That teeth signify things sensual, which are the ultimates of the natural life as to knowledge (scientia), is evident from the correspondence of teeth, upon which see Heaven and Hell 575), and the Arcana Coelestia 5565-5568).

[2] That teeth have this signification is also evident from the following passages of the Word;

as in David:

"My soul, I lie down in the midst of lions; whose teeth are spear and darts, and their tongue a sharp sword" (Psalm 57:4).

Lions signify those who by means of falsities destroy the truths of the church; their teeth, which are spear and darts, signify the scientifics (scientifica) which they apply to confirm falsities and evils, and so to destroy the truths and goods of the church. Their tongue a sharp sword, signifies crafty reasons from falsities, which are called a sharp sword, because a sword signifies falsity destroying truth.

[3] Again:

"O God, destroy their teeth, in their mouth; break out the jaw teeth of the young lions" (Psalm 58:6).

Their teeth in their mouth signify the scientifics from which they produce falsities; the jaw teeth of the young lions signify the truths of the Word falsified, which in themselves are falsities, and by means of which they are especially capable of destroying the truths of the church.

[4] So in Joel:

"A nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the jaw teeth of a great lion. It reduces my vine to wasteness, and my fig-tree into foam" (1:6, 7).

By a nation coming up upon the land is here signified evil devastating the church, a nation denoting evil, and land denoting the church; by their being strong, and without number, is meant that they are powerful and manifold, the term strong being used of the power of evil, and without number, of the power of falsity; whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, signifies destroying falsities; the jaw teeth of a great lion, signify [truths] falsified; by reducing the vine to wasteness and the fig-tree into foam, is signified the destruction of truths spiritual and truths natural, truths spiritual are those of the spiritual sense of the Word, and truths natural those of the sense of its letter; see also above (n. 403.6), where this is explained. The teeth of lions in these passages, signify the same things as the teeth as of lions here in the Apocalypse. Teeth properly signify those things which are in the memory only, and which are brought forth thence; for those things which are in the memory of the sensual man correspond to the bones and teeth.

[5] Again, in Daniel:

"A second beast like to a bear," came up from the sea, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it; and it was said unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. Afterwards, a fourth beast came up, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and ground in pieces, and trampled the residue with the feet of it" (7:5, 7).

The beast which came up from the sea, means the love of dominion to which holy things serve as the means, and the four beasts signify the successive increase thereof.

This second beast, like a bear, signifies the second state, when such dominion is confirmed by means of the Word. Those who do this also appear in the spiritual world like bears. The three ribs in the mouth between the teeth, signify all things of the Word, which they apply, and which they understand only according to the letter. The three ribs denote all things of the Word, in the mouth, denotes which they apply in teaching, between the teeth of it, denotes which they only understand as to the letter, that is, according to the quality of the sensual man. And it was said unto it, Arise, devour much flesh, signifies, that they applied many things, and thereby destroyed the genuine sense of the Word. By the fourth beast which came up from the sea, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly, is signified the fourth and last state, when, by holy things, as means, they established for themselves a dominion over heaven and earth. This state being profane, and of a powerful nature, is called dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly. Its great iron teeth signify falsities from the sensual man, which are hard against the truths and goods of the church. By devouring and grinding in pieces, is signified, that they perverted and destroyed; and by trampling the residue with the feet, is signified, that what they could not pervert and destroy they defiled and blotted out through the evils of natural and corporeal loves; the other details concerning these beasts, are explained above (n. 316:15).

[6] Again, in Moses:

"I will also send the tooth of beasts upon them, with the poison of the crawling things of the earth" (Deuteronomy 32:24).

The Israelitish and Jewish people were threatened with this amongst many other evils, if they did not keep and do the statutes and commandments. By the tooth of beasts, are signified falsities from evils of every kind; and the poison of the crawling things of the earth, signifies those who kill, and altogether extinguish spiritual life. Beasts, in the Word, signify such things as pertain to the natural man, and crawling things of the earth, the things that pertain to the sensual man; and when these are separated from the spiritual man, they are simply falsities from evils, because they are such things as belong to the body only, to which they adhere, and to the world, to which they are closely related; and in spiritual things all thick darkness arises from the body and the world.

[7] Again, in David:

"Arise, O Jehovah; save me, O my God; for thou smitest all mine enemies upon the cheek; thou breakest the teeth of the ungodly" (Psalm 3:7).

Here, by smiting the enemies on the cheek, is signified the destruction of the interior falsities of those who are against the goods and truths of the church, such persons, with their falsities of evil, being meant by enemies in the Word. To break the teeth of the ungodly signifies to destroy exterior falsities, which are founded upon the fallacies of the senses, and confirmed by them.

[8] Since in David the expressions to smite the cheek, and break the teeth occur, and by them is signified to destroy interior and exterior falsities, the meaning of smiting on the cheek in Matthew is evident:

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat (tunica = chiton), let him have thy robe (pallium = imation) also; and, whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to every one that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away" (5:38-42).

That these words are not to be understood according to the letter, is evident to every one. For who is bound by Christian love, to turn the left cheek to him who smites the right, and to give the robe to him who would take away the coat? In a word, who is there who is not allowed to resist evil? But because all things which the Lord uttered, were in themselves celestial Divine, it is evident that these words, as well as the rest which the Lord spoke, contain a celestial sense. The reason why the law was given to the sons of Israel, that they should give an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21:23, 24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21), was, that they were external men, and were consequently only in the representatives of things celestial, and not in celestial things themselves, and therefore they were not in charity, in mercy, in patience, or in any spiritual good, and hence were in the law of retaliation. For the heavenly law, and consequently the Christian law, which the Lord taught in the Evangelists, is:

"All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; this is the law and the prophets" (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31).

Because this is the law in heaven, and from heaven in the church, therefore also every evil has with itself a corresponding punishment, called the punishment of evil, which is in the evil, as if conjoined with it. From this proceeds the punishment of retaliation, which was prescribed to the sons of Israel, because they were external and not internal men.

Internal men, as the angels of heaven are, do not desire to retaliate evil for evil, but from heavenly charity they forgive, for they know that the Lord defends against the evil all who are in good, that He defends according to the good which they possess, and that He would not defend, if, on account of the evil done to them, they were to be fired by enmity, hatred, and revenge, for these things turn protection aside. These, therefore, are the things involved in the above words of the Lord, but their signification shall be given in order.

[9] An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, signifies, that in the measure that one takes away from another the understanding of truth, and the sense of truth, in the same measure they are taken away from himself, the eye signifying the understanding of truth, and a tooth, the sense of truth, for the tooth denotes truth and falsity, as found in the sensual man. That he who is in Christian-good, will permit an evil person to take those things away as far as he can, is described in the reply which the Lord gives upon the same subject; the precept not to resist evil, signifies, that it is not to be resisted with violence, nor retaliated, for the angels do not fight with the evil, much less do they return evil for evil, but they permit them to do it, because they are defended by the Lord, and hence no evil from hell can possibly hurt them. But whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also, signifies, that if any one shall desire to injure the perception and understanding of interior truth, it should be permitted so far as he makes the attempt, the cheek signifying the perception and understanding of interior truth, the right cheek the affection, and thence perception thereof, and the left, the understanding thereof, and because the cheek is mentioned, therefore also smiting is named, by which is meant to injure. For all things connected with the mouth, as the throat, the mouth itself, the lips, the cheek bones, the teeth, signify such things as pertain to the perception and understanding of truth, because they correspond to them, therefore they are used to express such things in the sense of the letter of the Word, which consists of pure correspondences. If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy robe also, signifies that, if any one desire to take away the interior truth in thee, that he shall be allowed also to take away exterior truth, the coat (tunica = chiton), signifying truth interior, and the robe (pallium = imation), truth exterior. This also the angels do when they are with the evil, for the evil cannot take away any thing of truth and good from the angels, but they can from those, who on that account burn with enmity, hatred and revenge, for these evils avert and reject the protection which is from the Lord. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain, signifies, if any one desire to lead away from truth to falsity, and from good to evil, that he shall not be opposed, because he is not able to accomplish it, a mile signifying the same as a way, namely, that which leads away and leads. Give to every one that asketh thee, signifies that it should be permitted; and from him that would borrow of thee turn thou not away, signifies, to instruct if any one desire to be instructed, for the evil desire this in order that they may pervert and deprive, which, however, they cannot do. This is the spiritual sense of the above words, wherein those things now explained lie deeply hidden, which are more especially for the angels, who perceive the Word only according to its spiritual sense; they are also for men in the world who are in good, when the evil try to seduce them. That the evil opposed to those whom the Lord defends are such, I have been permitted to know by much experience; for they have continually laboured with all their might, and in every possible way, to deprive me of truths and goods, but in vain.

From what has been stated, it may be in some degree evident that by a tooth is signified truth or falsity in the Sensual, which is the ultimate of the intellectual life of man. That this is signified by a tooth, is evident from the Lord's reply, where in the perception and understanding of truth are treated of, which the evil try to take away from the good.

[10] That teeth have this signification is further evident from the following passages; as in Jeremiah:

"In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten the wild grape, and the teeth of the sons are made blunt. But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man that eateth the wild grape, his teeth shall be made blunt" (31:29, 30; Ezekiel 18:2, 3, 4).

That this means that the sons and descendants shall not incur punishment for the evils of their parents, but every one for his own evil, is clear. By eating the wild grape is signified to appropriate to themselves the falsity of evil, for a wild grape, which is a bitter and bad grape, denotes the falsity of evil, and to eat, signifies to appropriate to oneself; and by the teeth being made blunt, is signified to be thence in the falsity of evil. For the teeth here, as above, signify falsities in ultimates, or in the sensual man, in which the evils of the parents, which are called hereditary, principally lie concealed with the children, and to be made blunt, signifies the appropriation of falsity from evil. For man is not punished on account of hereditary evils, but for his own, and if he causes hereditary evil to become actual evil in himself, wherefore it is said, "Every man shall die for his own iniquity; every man that eateth the wild grape, his teeth shall be made blunt."

[11] So in Job:

"All men abhor me; my bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth" (19:19, 20).

These words, in the sense of the letter, mean, that he became both lank and lean; but the spiritual sense, signifies that temptations so suppressed the interiors of his mind, that he became sensual, and thought only in things most external, but still did not think falsities but truths; this is signified by escaping with the skin of his teeth, teeth without skin denoting falsities, but with skin, not falsities, because still in some degree clothed.

[12] So in Amos:

"I have given to you emptiness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places" (4:6).

By emptiness of teeth in cities, is denoted a scarcity of truth in doctrines; and by want of bread in [all] places, a scarcity of good from these in the life.

[13] So in Zechariah:

"I will take away her bloods out of her mouth, and her abominations from between her teeth" (9:7).

This is spoken concerning Tyre and Zidon, which signify the cognitions of truth and good, here, these falsified. By taking away bloods from the mouth is signified the falsifications of the cognitions of truth; and by abominations from between the teeth, are signified the adulterations of the cognitions of good; the cognitions of good are also truths, for to know good is from the understanding, and the understanding is of truth.

[14] So in David:

"The waters had overwhelmed us, the waters of the proud had gone over our soul. Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not given us a prey to their teeth" (Psalm 124:4, 5, 6).

By waters overwhelming, are signified the falsities which inundate, and, as it were, overwhelm man when he is in temptations; hence, it is said, "Blessed be Jehovah, who hath not given us a prey to their teeth," that is, to the hells which, by means of falsities, destroy truths, thus, to destroying falsities.

[15] Again, in Job:

"I brake the jaw teeth of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth" (29:17).

These words of Job are spoken concerning himself, and by his saying, "I brake the jaw teeth of the wicked," is signified that he fought against falsities, and conquered them, the jaw teeth of the wicked signifying scientifics from the sense of the letter of the Word, applied to confirm falsities by means of which truths are destroyed. His delivering others from falsities by instructing them, is signified by, I plucked the spoil out of his teeth.

[16] Since the teeth signify falsities in things outermost, by gnashing of teeth is signified, to combat with vehemence and anger from falsities against truths, in the following passages.

Thus in Job:

"He teareth me in his wrath and hateth me; mine enemy gnasheth against me with his teeth; he sharpeneth his eyes against me" (16:9).

And in David:

"The lame whom I knew not are gathered together against me, they tear me, nor are they silent. They gnashed against me with their teeth" (Psalm 35:15, 16).

Again:

"The wicked plotteth evil against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth" (Psalm 37:12).

Again:

"The wicked shall see, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth and melt away" (Psalm 112:10).

And in Micah:

"Against the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth" (3:5).

And in Lamentations:

"All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee," O daughter of Jerusalem; "they have hissed and gnashed with the tooth" (2:16).

And in Mark:

A certain one said to Jesus, "I have brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not." And Jesus said unto him, "Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him" (9:17, 18, 25).

He who does not know the spiritual sense of the Word, may suppose that it is said in the above passages that they gnashed their teeth, merely for the reason that they were angry and intended evil, because they then pressed their teeth together; but it is said that they gnashed their teeth because the endeavour to destroy and the act of destroying truths by means of falsities are meant; this is said in the Word because the teeth signify falsities in outermost things, and gnashing signifies eagerness in fighting on behalf of them. This effort and act are also from correspondence.

[17] Such also was the deaf and dumb spirit which the Lord cast out; for all spirits are from the human race, and this spirit was from that kind of men, who had fought eagerly for falsities against truths; for this reason he who was obsessed by him foamed, and gnashed with his teeth. He is called by the Lord deaf and dumb, because he did not wish to perceive and understand truth, for such are signified by the deaf and dumb. And being firm and obstinate against truths, and having confirmed himself in falsities, therefore that spirit could not be cast out by the disciples; for they could not dissipate the falsities for which he had fought, since they were not yet in the fitting state, therefore the disciples were on that account rebuked by the Lord. That this spirit was of such a nature, but not the one obsessed by him, is signified by the spirit tearing him, and by the obsessed pining away, and also by the fact that the Lord commanded the spirit to enter no more into him.

[18] From these considerations it is evident what is signified by gnashing of teeth, mentioned in Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28. By the gnashing of teeth in the hells is meant the continual disputation and combating of falsities amongst themselves, and against truths, consequently of those who are in falsities, conjoined with contempt of others, enmity, derision, scorning, blaspheming and these also break forth into attempts to tear each other in pieces, for every one fights for his own falsity from the love of self, of erudition, and of fame. These disputations and combats are heard outside those hells as gnashings of teeth, and are also turned into gnashings of teeth when truths flow in thither out of heaven; more may be seen upon this subject in the Heaven and Hell 575).

[19] It is from this fact that the teeth of the evil correspond to falsities in the ultimates of their intellectual life, which are called corporeal sensual, that the spirits who are of such a nature appear deformed in the face, of which the teeth form a prominent part, standing out and extended like a grating in a kind of a gaping grin, and this because such grinning of teeth corresponds to the love and desire of fighting on behalf of falsities against truths.

[20] Teeth correspond to the ultimates of the intellectual life of man, which are called sensual, and these are in falsities of evil when they are separated from the truths of the interior understanding, which are called spiritual, but they correspond to truths of good in the Sensual when these are not separated, therefore, in the Word, they also signify ultimate truths, as in Job (19:19, 20); Amos (4:6), explained above.

[21] And because the Lord glorified His whole Human, that is, made it Divine, therefore it is said of Him, in Moses,

"Red in the eyes from wine, and white in the teeth from milk" (Genesis 49:12).

By red in the eyes from wine, signifies that His Intellectual was Divine Truth from Divine Good; and by white in the teeth from milk, is signified that His Sensual similarly was Divine Truth from Divine Good; for by Shiloh in that chapter [Genesis 5:10] is meant the Lord.

[22] Because teeth correspond to the ultimates of the intellectual life, which are called sensual, therefore good spirits and angels have teeth equally as men, but with them they correspond to truths in the ultimate Sensual, for the Sensual with them is not separated from the truths of the interior understanding which are called spiritual.

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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