880. That great city. That this signifies devastation and destruction as to all things of doctrine among them, is evident from the signification of falling, when said of a city, as denoting to be devastated and destroyed, as was said above (n. 879); and from the signification of a city, as denoting doctrine, with every thing belonging to it; concerning which see above (n. 223). It is said a great city, because a doctrine full of evils and falsities is signified therefrom; for great is said of good, and in the opposite sense of evil; as may be seen above (n. 336, 337). By Babylon is fallen, that great city, is signified, that with those meant by Babylon, all goods and truths are devastated; also that they are to be entirely destroyed at the time of the Last Judgment. That they also were destroyed, and that their great cities, which were situated to the south and to the north, were entirely overthrown, and they who were there cast into hell, is evident from the things related concerning Babylon, in the small work concerning The Last Judgment.
Hence it is clear that by Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, two things are meant - the devastation of their church as to all the goods and truths in the world; likewise, also, their destruction at the time of the Last Judgment.
It is believed that by the destruction of Babylon is meant the destruction of that religion in the world; but this is not so. What is meant is its devastation in the world, as to all the goods and truths of heaven and the church, thus the destruction of those who transferred to themselves the Lord's Divine power, and exercised it from the love of self, as to their souls, consequently as to life eternal. For that religion will still continue among those who persist in that love, and act from it. And because the destruction meant is the devastation of the church, therefore their destruction after the life in this world is also meant in particular and in general; in particular, the condemnation of all belonging to that religion, who were such as are above described; and, in general, the destruction, by means of the Last Judgment, of all those who were of such a character.
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