600. 13:14 And to lead astray those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs which it was granted to do in the presence of the beast. This symbolically means that through their testifications and assertions the clergy lead people in the church into errors.

To lead astray means, symbolically, to lead into errors. Those who dwell on the earth symbolize people in the Protestant Reformed Church, as in nos. 578, 588, 597 above. The signs which the second beast was granted to do in the presence of the first beast symbolize testifications and assertions (nos. 598, 599). The beast from the sea, before whom the signs were done, symbolizes the faith of the dragon among the laity (no. 567); and the beast coming up out of the earth that did the signs, which is elsewhere called a false prophet, symbolizes the faith of the dragon among the clergy (no. 594).

The Lord says something akin to this in Matthew 24:24-26.

594. 13:11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. This symbolizes the clergy of the Protestant Reformed Church who are caught up in the dragon's doctrine and faith regarding God and salvation.

The nature of the dragon's faith and its character may be seen in no. 537 above. The laity are meant by the beast that came up from the sea, and the clergy by the beast that came up from the earth, because the sea symbolizes the external component of the church, and the earth its internal component (nos. 398, 567); and the laity are concerned with the external elements of the church's doctrine, while the clergy are concerned with the internal ones.

That the clergy are now described follows from the particulars that follow, understood according to their spiritual meaning; and clearly so from the fact that this beast is also called a false prophet (Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10), especially from this statement:

Then the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who worked signs in its presence, by which he led astray those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. (Revelation 19:20)

That this beast performed signs in the presence of the other one by which to lead people astray - this we are told in the present chapter in these words:

It also performs great signs... to lead astray those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs which it was granted to do in the presence of the beast, telling (them) to make an image of the beast (and to worship it.) (Revelation 13:13-15)