844. (v. 18) Here is wisdom. That this signifies that this is their doctrine in its whole extent, which is considered to be wisdom, although it is insanity, is evident from the signification of here is wisdom, as denoting that all those things that are said concerning the dragon and his two beasts, is the doctrine of those who have separated faith from life, which nevertheless is not wisdom, as it is considered to be, but it is insanity. That these things are meant by here is wisdom, follows from the things which precede, that is, that no one can buy and sell if he has not the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name; which signifies, that no one should learn or teach anything but what is acknowledged, and thence received in doctrine. It may be concluded, therefore, that by wisdom is here meant wisdom in their own eyes, which, nevertheless, is insanity, appearing to them as wisdom.
The reason why insanity is here meant by wisdom is, that those who are in falsities, when they have confirmed themselves in them, believe themselves to be wiser than all others. The case is the same with the evil, who, when they are in their evils, and devise means of doing evil to the good, seem to themselves to be ingenious, indeed wiser than others, although they then appear to the eyes of angels to be mad. This now is why the insanity of those who are in falsities is also called in the Word wisdom and intelligence, as in the following passages:
"Lord of heaven and earth, thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes" (Matt. xi. 25; Luke x. 21).
"Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and intelligent in their own sight" (Isa. v. 21).
"I will punish the fruit of the pride of heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks; because he hath said, In the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; because I was intelligent" (Isa. x. 12, 13).
"Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the wise counsellors of Pharaoh; how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am a son of the wise" (Isa. xix. 11).
"The wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the intelligence of the intelligent shall hide itself" (Isa. xxix. 14).
"He casteth the wise men backwards" (Isa. xliv. 25).
"A sword against the inhabitants of Babylon, and against the princes thereof, and against the wise men thereof" (Jer. l. 35).
Hence also the Magi in Babylon and elsewhere were called wise men (as in Dan. ii. 48).
From these passages it is evident, that, in the Word, wisdom is predicated of those who are not wise, and also of those who are insane from falsities. Similarly diadems are ascribed to them, as well as to the dragon (Apoc. xii. 3); and to his beast, in the first verse of this chapter. It is said also concerning the woman who sat on the scarlet beast, that she was clothed in crimson and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones and pearls (Apoc. xvii. 4). Similarly the evil are called mighty and powerful, although they are not really so in themselves. Concerning this subject, see above (n. 783).
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