164. And them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation. That this signifies grievous temptations to those who give themselves up to their falsities is evident from the signification of committing adultery, as being to falsify truths (concerning which see above, 141); hence to commit adultery with Jezebel is to give themselves up to the falsities of those signified by Jezebel; and from the signification of tribulation as being infestation of truth by falsities (concerning which also see above, n. 47), in this case temptation, inasmuch as temptation is nothing else but infestation of truth by falsities with man (as may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 188, 196, 197). Therefore by casting those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, is signified the grievous temptations of those who give themselves up to their falsities. The subject here treated of is those with whom the spiritual or internal man is not so much closed, because they are in some spiritual affection for truth, and yet suffer themselves to be led astray by those who are in the doctrine of falsities (as may be seen above, n. 162). Because these receive falsities into the memory of their natural man, with which the spiritual internal man cannot agree - for this receives nothing but truths - therefore a combat commences between the spiritual and the natural man: this combat is temptation, which is signified by great tribulation. (That temptation is a combat between the spiritual and natural man, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem 190, 194, 197, 199.)

47. And companion in affliction. That this signifies, the truth of faith infested by falsities, is evident from the signification of companion, as being the truth of faith - see what follows; and from the signification of affliction, as denoting infestation by falsities (concerning which see Arcana Coelestia 6663, 6851, 9196). In the Word mention is frequently made of brother and companion, and by them good and truth are signified; in ancient times also, those were called brethren who were in good, and companions those who were in truth. The reason of this is that truth must be conjoined with good, and when it is so, it becomes a brother; this is why companion here signifies the truth of faith. (That good and truth are meant by brother and companion in the Word, may be seen, Arcana Coelestia 6756, 10490.) The reason why affliction signifies infestation by falsities is, because the mind which is in truths is afflicted by falsities, when they fight with each other, nor does spiritual affliction spring from any other source. This then is the signification of affliction in the Word, as in Matthew:

"He that received the seed upon stony places hath no root in himself, but when affliction and persecution ariseth because of the Word, immediately he is offended" (13:20, 21).

And in the same:

In the consummation of the age: "they shall deliver you up to affliction, and then shall be great affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor shall be. Immediately after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened" (Matthew 24:9, 21, 29; Mark 13:19, 24).

The consummation of the age is the last time of the church; and because falsities would then reign and fight against truths, therefore it is said that they shall be in affliction, and so great as was not from the beginning of the world. This is what is meant by the affliction in which John is said to be a companion, by whom is here meant doctrine concerning the Lord; for in the Apocalypse the last time of the church is treated of (see above, n. 5).