827. Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast. That this signifies an ordinance appointed that such things should be fully taught and believed by all in the church, is evident from the signification of them who dwell on the earth, as denoting all who belong to the church (see above, n. 826). And from the signification of the image made to the beast, as denoting the doctrine of faith separated from good works, and the worship therefrom; and all this confirmed from the literal sense of the Word by means of reasonings from the natural man. Hence by making that image is signified to make a statute, or to ordain that it shall be altogether so taught and believed; as also has been done in the churches where the doctrine of faith separate has been received.

The reason why the image signifies these things is, that all spiritual things may be exhibited by means of images, also by idols, in the spiritual world; and the particulars of doctrine may be presented by them in effigy, which I have also seen done. Hence it is that images and idols have such significations in the Word. That idols signify falsities of doctrine, may be seen above (n. 587, 650, 654, 780). Hence, then, by saying to them that dwell upon the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, is signified an ordinance appointed that such things should be fully taught and believed by all in the church.

Amongst those who belonged to the Ancient Churches images were made representative of their doctrine, and of the worship therefrom. The sons of Israel, however, on account of their propensity to idolatry, were forbidden to make them. This is evident from the Word.

[2] In order, therefore, that it may be known that images signify such things, the following passages from the Word shall be adduced by way of confirmation. Thus in Moses:

"Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor worship them" (Exodus 20:4, 5).

"Ye shall not make to you idols, nor sculptured thing, nor raise up a statue to you, nor shall ye give the stone of an image in your land to bow yourselves down to them" (Leviticus 26:1).

"Lest ye make to you a sculptured image of any likeness, the figure of a male or female, the figure of any beast which is in the earth, the figure of any bird of wing which flieth under heaven, the figure of any reptile in the earth, the figure of any fish which is in the waters under the earth" (Deuteronomy 4:16-18).

The reason why it was forbidden the sons of Israel to make idols, sculptured things, images, and figures of anything in the heavens, in the earth, and in the waters was, because the Ancient Churches, which were before the Israelitish Church, were representative churches; and because the sons of Jacob were altogether external men; and external men at that time, when all worship was representative, were prone to idolatries, therefore to the worship of such things as appeared before their eyes. Now whereas the Ancient Churches were representative, therefore the men of those churches made to themselves sculptured things and images of various kinds, which represented and thence signified things heavenly; and the ancients were delighted with them on account of their signification. Therefore when they looked upon those things they were reminded of the heavenly things which they represented. And because they belonged to their religion, they made use of them in worship. Hence they had groves and high places, and also sculptured, molten, and painted figures, which they placed either in groves, or upon mountains, or in temples, or in their houses. Hence in Egypt, where the science of representations, which is the same as the science of correspondences, flourished, they had images, idols, and sculptured things; this also was the origin of their hieroglyphics. The case was the same with various other nations. But when the men of those churches, from being internal became external, then the celestial and spiritual things which were represented and thence signified, remained as traditions with their priests and wise men, who were called magi and diviners. Hence the common people, by reason of the religious principle which their fathers saw in those things, began to worship them, and to call them their gods. Now because the sons of Jacob were external men more than all others, and consequently prone to idolatries, and also to magic, therefore they were strictly forbidden to make to themselves sculptured things, images, and figures of the likeness of anything existing in the heavens, upon the earth, and in the sea; because everything in the world is representative, as fowls, beasts, fishes, reptiles. For so far as they worshipped them idolatrously, so far they did not acknowledge Jehovah. But still, because the church with them also was representative, the Tabernacle was built, in which representatives were placed, chiefly of celestial things, as the table of show-bread, the golden altar of incense, the lampstand with the lamps, the ark with the mercy-seat, and the cherubs above it, the altar not far from the door of the Tabernacle, upon which was the sacred fire. And afterwards the Temple was built, in which also all things were representative, as the paintings therein, the lavers on the outside, the brazen sea supported by oxen, also the columns and porticos, with the vessels of gold, all which it was allowed them to worship as holy, on condition that they acknowledged the Tabernacle, and afterwards the Temple, for the dwelling-place of Jehovah. These things were granted them to prevent their turning aside to idolatry and magic, which then existed in the various nations in Asia; as in Egypt, Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Tyre and Sidon, Arabia, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, and especially in and about the land of Canaan.

[3] From this it is evident why it is that idols, in the Word, signify the falsities of religion; and images, doctrinals.

That such things existed among the various nations in the countries of Asia, is evident from the gods of Laban the Syrian, which Rachel the wife of Jacob took away (Genesis 31:19, 20); from the calves and other idols in Egypt; from the hieroglyphics there engraved and painted in temples, and upon obelisks, and walls; from Dagon the idol of the Philistines in Ekron, from the idols made by Solomon, and afterwards by the kings in the Temple of Jerusalem, and in Samaria; from the altars, statues, images, and groves, amongst the nations of the land, which the children of Israel were commanded to destroy, as is evident from various passages in the Word.

[4] It was also from the science of correspondences and representations

That the priests and diviners of the Philistines advised them to make golden images of the hemorrhoids and mice which laid waste the land, and to place them near the ark, which they sent back upon a new cart drawn by kine, that so they might give glory to the God of Israel (1 Sam. 6:1 and following verses).

For at that time their priests and diviners knew what all those things represented; and that the images of the hemorrhoids and mice signified the falsities of their religion, which, as gifts, would be rendered propitiatory, by making them of gold.

[5] Doctrinals are also signified by images in the following passages. Thus in Ezekiel:

"They shall cast their silver into the streets, and their gold shall be an abomination, because they have transposed the gracefulness of their adorning for pride, and made thereof images of their abominations and detestations; therefore I have given it to them for an abomination" (7:20).

The subject there treated of is concerning the devastation of the church by falsities and evils, which is there meant by the sword, pestilence, and famine (verse 15), which shall consume them. By the silver which they shall cast into the streets, and by the gold which shall be for an abomination, is signified the truth of the church and the good thereof turned into falsity and evil. To cast them into the streets, signifies to disperse them, and to be for an abomination signifies to be turned into infernal evil. For this is to be turned to abomination. Their transposing the gracefulness of their adorning for pride, and making thereof images of their abominations and detestations, signifies, that, they filled the whole church and the doctrine thereof, and all things which are contained therein, with things profane; the gracefulness of their adorning signifying the church and its doctrine; and images of abominations and detestations signifying all things pertaining thereto, thus its doctrinals, which are goods and truths profaned. Abominations are goods profaned; and detestations, truths profaned.

[6] In the same:

"Thou hast taken the vessels of thy adorning, of my gold and of my silver which I had given thee, and hast made the images of a male, with which thou hast committed whoredom" (16:17).

These things are said of the abominations of Jerusalem, by which are meant the adulterations of the good and truth of doctrine from the Word. The vessels of adorning of gold and silver, signify the knowledges of good and truth from the Word. To make images of a male, signifies to make doctrinals from falsities appear as if they were from truths. And to commit whoredom with them, signifies the falsification of them.

[7] Again:

Aholibah committed whoredom in Egypt, "she loved the sons of Ashur; she added to her whoredoms when she saw men painted upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans painted with vermilion, she doated upon them at the beholding of her eyes" (23:8, 12, 14, 16).

By Aholibah is meant Jerusalem, by which is signified the church as to doctrine, consequently the doctrine of the church. By committing whoredom is signified the falsification and adulteration of the Word. And because by Egypt are signified natural truths, which are called scientifics, and by Ashur rational truths; also, in the opposite sense, falsities, it is therefore evident what is signified by committing whoredom with them. Because as by the Chaldeans are signified the truths of the Word profaned, because applied to the loves of self and the world, hence by the images of the Chaldeans are signified doctrinals employed to excuse those loves. Painted with vermilion, signifies their appearing outwardly as truths, although inwardly they are profane. The same is signified by men painted upon the wall, a painted wall denoting the appearance of doctrinals in externals. Similar things are signified by images in Isaiah 2:16; in David, Psalm 73:20; also in the following passages in the Apocalypse, 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4. See also what is said concerning idols and sculptured things above (n. 587, 650, 654, 780), where other passages from the Word are adduced and explained.

824. (Verse 13) And he doeth great wonders. This signifies testifications and persuasions, as is evident from the signification of signs, as denoting testifications and persuasions (concerning which see above, n. 706). And because great is said of good, and, in the opposite sense, of evil, therefore by great signs are signified testifications and persuasions of falsity from evil. The reason why it is here said of the beast that "he did great wonders" is, that by the beast are signified confirmations from the Word in favour of faith separate from good works. And when reasonings from the natural man, signified by the first beast, are confirmed from the Word, then they not only testify but also persuade that a thing is so, and they do this because those who separate faith from good works are not willing that the intellectual sight should have any part in matters of faith, which they call mysteries; and when the intellectual sight is not present, they can persuade others to believe in whatever they please, even what every one from the mere light of nature may see to be false. Propose anything false, and declare it to be true, because it has been asserted by some eminent leader, who is believed by his followers to be enlightened or inspired, and take away the use of reason, and thus prevent the understanding from entering with any light, and you will see all things as true, and will be persuaded. The reason is, that the first proposition presented is believed, and is not first examined as to whether it be true or false.

[2] That it may be known that a falsity can be confirmed equally as a truth, take the most trifling example. For instance, make this ridiculous proposition, that a crow is white, and confirm it by these considerations, that a crow is not born altogether black, that it whitens as it grows old, that its feathers are white within, and also the skin, and thus its blackness is only a shade encompassing the white. Reason also in this way, that a man may indeed speak according to the outward appearance, that is, say it is black, but still that, being a man, he ought to think from the understanding that it is white, because it is so inwardly. Similarly it is allowable to speak of the sun's progression about the earth according to the outward appearance, as indeed it is stated in the Word, that is, that the sun rises and sets; but still that he ought to think from the understanding that the earth revolves on its axis, and causes that appearance. In addition to this there are reasonings from the nature of colours, that regarded in their origin are all white, because they are from the light of heaven, and also from this fact, that every colour when it is ground to a powder, even black crystal, becomes white, and on this subject cite the works of those authors who have written upon optics. Moreover, take away the use of reason, and assert that some man of authority and learning has witnessed the fact, and at the same time fix the mind on what is said in confirmation, and not on the first proposition, and possibly you will be enabled to persuade some one else. But this ridiculous proposition is here mentioned, because it is silly to judge of a bird from any other colour than its own, in which it appears; for thus all things in the world may be said to be white.

[3] It is similar with the falsities of heresies, as with that greatest of all, which was in Babylon, of which it is written in Daniel, that the king published an edict there that he should be worshipped as God. So also is it with reasonings from hell, they are employed by those who derive all things from nature, saying that nature created herself, and not God. And, if I may venture to say so, the case is the same with the faith called justifying faith, without the actual co-operation of the life. Such things are here meant by the great wonders which the beast did that came up out of the earth, which also caused fire to come down out of heaven on the earth before men, and deceived them that dwell on the earth, by means of those miracles which it was granted him to do before the beast, as is said in this and in the following verse.