841. Or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. That this signifies either what is similar to it as to life, or what is similar to it as to faith, is evident from the signification of name, as denoting the quality of the good of love, and of life therefrom; and from the signification of number, as denoting the quality of the truth of faith, and of intelligence therefrom. Hence by the number of a name is signified the quality of the truth of faith and of intelligence therefrom as a result of the quality of the good of love and of life therefrom; here in the opposite sense, because it is said, "the name of the beast," and "the number of his name."

That name, in the Word, signifies the quality of the good, and of love, thence of life, may be seen above (n. 102, 135, 148, 676, 695, 696, 815). Further, that number signifies the quality of the thing treated of, and that the quality is determined by the numbers involved, may also be seen above (n. 429, 430, 574); thus the quality of the truth of faith; and that to number signifies to know the quality of a thing, and to arrange and to dispose accordingly (n. 453). The reason why number signifies the quality of truth and of faith therefrom is, that number involves multitude; and multitude, in the Word, is said of truths, as may be seen above (n. 336, 337).

Hence now by the number of a name is signified the quality of truth from good, or the quality of faith from love; but, here, in the opposite sense, because it is said of the beast.

203. (Verse 7) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write. That this signifies those of the church who are in the faith of charity is evident from the things written to the angel of this church, understood in the internal sense. For, as said above (n. 20), by the seven churches are not meant seven churches, but all who belong to the church, or all things pertaining to man which constitute the church; for by seven in the Word are meant all persons, and all things, because by each number mentioned in the Word is signified something either of thing or state, as is very evident in this prophetic book, in which numbers are so frequently mentioned. The same is evident from Ezekiel (chap. 40-48), where the new temple and the new earth are described, which is done by measures given in numbers. By the new temple and the new earth is there meant the New Church, and by each number or each measure is signified something belonging to the church. (That all numbers in the Word signify things and states, may be seen in the work, Heaven and Hell 263.)