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.

In general, mothers in the Bible represent the Lord's church on earth. In some cases "mother" more specifically refers to the truth of the church, the true teachings the church has about the Lord and about life. This makes sense if you think about it. Mothers are the vehicles through which new people are created; the church (in a broad sense) is the vehicle through which new ideas about the Lord and new good actions are created. And just as a mother is filled with love -- for her children and husband -- so also is the church filled with love, both for its ideas and uses and also for the Lord.