676. And there were killed in the earthquake names of men seven thousand.- That this signifies that in that change of state all the truths of good and thus all things of heaven and the church, perished with them, is evident, from the signification of being killed, as denoting to be spiritually killed, which is to perish by evils and falsities (see above, n. 315, 547, 572, 589); from the signification of earthquake, as denoting a change of the state of the interiors with those who are of the church (see above, n. 674); from the signification of names of men, as denoting the truths of good, and the consequent understanding of truth, concerning which we shall speak presently; and from the signification of seven thousand as denoting all things of heaven and of the church. For seven signifies all things, and is used of the holy things of heaven and of the church (the signification of this number may be seen above, n. 257); and its signification is retained when it is multiplied by 10, or 100, or 1000, for these numbers signify all things. From these things it is evident that there were killed in the earthquake names of men seven thousand, signifies that in that change of state all the truths of good perished, and thus all things of heaven and of the church.

[2] That by names of men are signified truths of good, and the consequent understanding of truth, is evident from the signification of name, as denoting the quality of a thing and of state with man; and from the signification of man, as denoting intelligence, thus also the understanding of truth. Name signifies the quality of a thing and of state with man, because there are no names of persons in the spiritual world as in the natural world; but in the spiritual world all are named according to the quality of their life, thus, with a difference within the societies and out of them. Within the societies the quality of the state of each one's life is constant, for each one there dwells in a certain quarter, and at a distance from the midst, according to the quality of his affection and intelligence, therefore his name is according to this quality; when therefore the name of any one in a society is heard, his quality is also recognised. It is from this fact, that name, in the spiritual sense, signifies the quality of a thing and of the state of life. But outside the societies, this naming according to the quality of the state of the life of any one is not constant; for before a man-spirit enters into any society, he passes through many states, in order that he may put off those things that are not in agreement with his ruling love, and put on such as agree with it. Still every one is named according to the state in which he is, and also according to the idea and perception of the quality of his state.

That names, in the spiritual world, are expressed spiritually, may be seen above (n. 102[2]); that name, in the Word, signifies the quality of the state of the life (n. 148); and therefore the name of Jehovah, and the name of the Lord, signify all things by which He is worshipped, thus all things of love and of faith (n. 102, 135); and man, in the Word, signifies the spiritual affection for truth, and the consequent understanding of truth (n. 280, 546). From these things the signification of the names of men is evident.

[3] The reason why the truths of good, and consequently understanding derived from these perished by the remarkable change of state signified by a great earthquake, was stated in the preceding article, namely, that at the end of the church, when a last judgment is at hand, those who are spiritually good are taken away from those who are only naturally good, and when this is the case, then from the latter are also taken away all truths of good, consequently also all understanding of truth. For with the natural, in whom there is nothing spiritual, truths and goods reside in externals, and falsities and evils in internals; when therefore the good with whom they had communication as to externals are taken away, externals are also taken away, and internals are disclosed, which, as stated, are filled with mere falsities of evil. It is for this reason that these words signify that with those who remained all truths of good, and with these all understanding of truth, perished.

589. And they repented not of their murders.- That this signifies, who have not actually turned themselves away from extinguishing those things which pertain to the understanding of truth, to the will of good, and to spiritual life thence, is evident from the signification of repenting, as denoting actually to turn one's self away from, as shown above (n. 585:3); and from the signification of murders, as denoting the extinction of the understanding of truth, of the will of good, and thence of spiritual life. For by man are signified wisdom and the understanding of truth (see above, n. 280, 546, 547), and by slaying is signified to extinguish spiritual life by the falsities of evil (see also above, n. 315, 547, 572). That homicide or the killing of a man signifies the extinction of spiritual life, is clear without confirmations from passages of the Word, from the fact that all the details here mentioned must also be spiritually understood; and to kill spiritually is to extinguish spiritual life, and this is done by the falsities of evil.

[2] It is for this reason that the devil is called a murderer from the beginning, by the Lord in John:

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh from his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it" (8:44).

The Jewish nation itself is meant by these words, which, by its idolatries and traditions, extinguished spiritual life through the falsities of evil. By the father of it, are meant their fathers. Because they extinguished spiritual life through the falsities of evils, it is said, "there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of it." A lie signifies, in the Word, the falsity of evil.

[3] The same is signified by murders, and by a lie, in the following passage in the Apocalypse:

"Without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and doeth a lie " (22:15).

Because those meant by Babylon, extinguish all Divine truths by means of the falsities of evil, therefore Babylon is called "an abominable branch, the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with the sword; because thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people" (Isaiah 14:19, 20). These things are said of Babylon. Those who have perished through the falsities of evil are said to be thrust through with the sword. To destroy the land signifies [to destroy] the church; and to slay the people signifies to extinguish the truths of the church.