924. From a thousand six hundred furlongs. That this signifies evils in their whole extent is evident from the signification of furlongs, as denoting productions in a series. For furlongs, like miles, and ways in general, signify progressions in a series according to thoughts from affection. And from the signification of a thousand six hundred, as denoting goods in their whole extent, and in the opposite sense, as in this case, evils in their whole compass. For the number one thousand six hundred signifies the same as sixteen; and the number sixteen, the same as four and two. And all these numbers are said of goods, and in the opposite sense of evils. For the greater numbers arising from multiplication have a signification similar to the lesser and simple from which they arise by multiplication; as twelve thousand the same as twelve; and twelve the same as three and four multiplied into themselves; see above (n. 430, 851). That three, in the Word, is said of truths; and two, also four, of goods; thus in the opposite sense, three of falsities, and two and four of evils, may also be seen above (n. 532). It is, therefore, evident that by from a thousand six hundred furlongs are signified productions of evils in a continual series, thus evils in their whole compass.
That by those two devastators of the church, meant by Babylon, and by the beast of the dragon, are now being produced and have been produced, evils in a continual series, and by their means evils in their whole compass, may be shown from many examples. But the devastation of the church by the beast of the dragon has been shown in the explanations of chapters xii. and xiii.; and the devastation by Babylon will be shown below in the explanations of chapters xvii. and xviii.
THE APOCALYPSE.
CHAPTER XV.
1. AND I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is consummated the anger of God.
2. And I saw as it were a glassy sea, mingled with fire; and them that have victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing near the glassy sea, having harps of God.
3. And they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God; and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and wonderful are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints.
4. Who does not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; wherefore all nations shall come and adore before thee; for thy judgments have been made manifest.
5. And after these things I saw, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6. And the seven angels went out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in linen pure and glistening white, and girt about the breasts with golden girdles.
7. And one of the four animals gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials, full of the wrath of God, who liveth unto ages of ages.
8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power; and none could enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were consummated.
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church