251. The reason why the “serpent” means all evil in general, and specifically the love of self, is that all evil has had its rise from that sensuous part of the mind, and also from that memory-knowledge [scientifico], which at first were signified by the “serpent;” and therefore it here denotes evil of every kind, and specifically the love of self, or hatred against the neighbor and the Lord, which is the same thing. As this evil or hatred was various, consisting of numerous genera and still more numerous species, it is described in the Word by various kinds of serpents, as “snakes” “cockatrices” “asps” “adders” “fiery serpents” “serpents that fly” and “that creep” and “vipers” according to the differences of the poison, which is hatred. Thus we read in Isaiah:

Rejoice not thou, whole Philistia, because the rod which smiteth thee is broken, for out of the serpent’s root shall go forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a flying fire-serpent (Isaiah 14:29).The “serpent’s root” denotes that part of the mind, or that principle, which is connected with the senses and with memory-knowledge [est sensuale et scientificum]; the “cockatrice” denotes evil originating in the falsity thence derived; and the “flying fire-serpent” the cupidity that comes from the love of self. By the same Prophet also similar things are elsewhere thus described:

They hatch cockatrice’s eggs, and weave the spider’s web; he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and when it is crushed there cometh out a viper (Isaiah 59:5).

The serpent described here in Genesis is called in the Revelation the “great and red dragon” and the “old serpent” and also the “devil and satan” that “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:3, 9; 20:2), where, and also in other places, by the “devil” is not meant any particular devil who is prince over the others, but the whole crew of evil spirits, and evil itself.

595. And it had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. This symbolically means that they quote the Word in speaking, teaching and writing as though it were the Lord's Divine truth, and yet it is truth falsified.

Horns symbolize power (nos. 270, 443), here a power in speaking, teaching and writing, thus in reasoning and arguing. That the horns looked like those of a lamb means symbolically that the clergy peddle their doctrines as though they were the Lord's Divine truths, having founded them on the Word. For a lamb means the Lord in respect to His Divine humanity, and also in respect to the Word, which is Divine truth springing from Divine good. That is why on this beast, which is also a false prophet (no. 594), two horns were seen like those of a lamb. But that they were Divine truths falsified is symbolized by its speaking like a dragon. To be shown that people caught up in the dragon's faith regarding God and salvation have falsified all the Word's truths, see no. 566 above.

[2] That these two characteristics are symbolized by the beast's having two horns like a lamb and speaking like a dragon is clearly apparent from these words of the Lord in Matthew:

...if anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Christ!" or "There!" do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. (Matthew 24:23-25)

"Christ" has the same symbolic meaning here as a lamb, namely the Lord in respect to the Word's Divine truth. Consequently, that people will say, "Look, here is the Christ!" means symbolically that they will say that this or that is the Word's Divine truth. But that it is truth falsified is symbolized by the warning, "If anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise."

That it was in reference to the clergy that the Lord made this prediction is apparent from His saying that they would show great signs and wonders and lead astray, if possible, the elect, a statement similar to what is said of the beast here, which is the false prophet, in verses 13 and 14 of this chapter.

What the Lord predicted in that chapter in Matthew concerned the final period or state of the church, a period or state which is meant there by the end of the age. ¹

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