348. [verse 4] 'And I heard the number of them that were sealed (signatorum) a hundred and forty-four thousand' signifies all who acknowledge the Lord as being the God of heaven and earth, and are in truths of doctrine out of the good of love from Him by means of the Word. These are signified by the 144,000 out of the twelve tribes of Israel, because by the 12 tribes of Israel is signified the Church [formed] out of those who are in good and truth from the Lord, and who acknowledge Him as being the God of heaven and earth. By the number '144,000' all these are understood; for a similar thing is signified by that number as by 'twelve', since it arises from the multiplication of 12 by 12, and then from its multiplication by 100 and by 1000. And any number whatever multiplied by itself, and then by 10, 100, or 1000, signifies a similar thing to the number it is derived from. Thus 144,000 is similar to 144, and this is similar to 12, because 12 times 12 makes the number 144. In like manner the 12,000 sealed out of each tribe, multiplied by 12 makes 144,000. The number 12 signifies all things, and is predicated of truths derived from good, because 12 arises by the multiplication of 3 and 4 by each other, and the number 3 signifies all as to truth, and the number 4 all as to good. Consequently 12 here signifies all as to truth derived from the good of love. [2] That all numbers signify adjuncts of things, determining their quality or quantity, can be manifestly established from the numbers in the Apocalypse, which would not make any sense in many places unless they were significant. Resulting from the things now said it can be seen that by the '144,000 sealed' and by the '12,000 out of each tribe' is understood, not that so many out of the tribes of Israel were sealed and chosen, but that all those who are in truths of doctrine out of the good of love from the Lord were. This in general is signified by the 12 tribes of Israel, and also by the 12 apostles of the Lord; but some specific truth derived from good is signified by each individual tribe, and by each individual apostle. What is signified here by each individual tribe will be stated in the things following. Since the 12 tribes signify all the truths of doctrine out of the good of love from the Lord, therefore they also signify all things of the Church; on which account the 12 tribes of Israel used to represent the Church, and the 12 apostles likewise. [3] Because the 12 are said of the truths and goods of the Church, therefore the New Jerusalem, by which the Lord's New Church is understood, is described in all its details (in singulis) by 12; as that:-
The city in length and breadth was 12,000 stadia; that the wall thereof was 144 cubits
The 144 are 12 times 12.
That there were 12 gates; and the gates were of 12 pearls
That over the gates were 12 angels; and the names of the 12 tribes of Israel written
That there were 12 foundations of the wall; and in them the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb; and the foundations were established out of 12 precious stones
Again, that the tree of life was there, producing 12 fruits according to the 12 months.
Concerning all of which, chaps. xxi and xxii may be seen. Out of these who are treated of here, the New Heaven has been formed and the New Church is being formed by the Lord; for they are the same who are mentioned in chap. xiv seq., where these things [are said] about them:-
And I saw and behold the Lamb standing upon mount Zion, and with Him the 144,000; and they were singing a new song before the throne, and no one could learn the song, but the 144,000 bought from the land; they are virgins, and they follow the Lamb wherever He goes (vers. 1, 3, 4).
[4] Since the 12 tribes used to signify the Lord's Church as to all the truths and goods thereof, therefore the number 12 became the number for the Church, and of common usage in the rites thereof, so that:-
In the breastplate of judgment, where were the Urim and Thummim, there were 12 precious stones Exod. xxviii 21.
12 loaves of faces were put upon the table in the tabernacle Lev. xxiv 5, 6.
Moses built an altar below Mount Sinai, and set up 12 pillars Exod. xxiv 4.
12 men were sent to search out the land of Canaan Deut. i 23.
12 men carried 12 stones out of the midst of the Jordan Josh. iv 1-9, 20.
12 princes at the dedication of the altar brought 12 silver dishes, 12 silver bowls, 12 gold censers, 12 young bullocks, 12 rams, 12 lambs and 12 he-goats Num. vii 84, 87.
Elijah took up 12 stones and built an altar 1 Kings xviii 31, 32.
Elijah found Elisha, when he was ploughing with 12 yoke [of oxen], and himself among the twelve, and that then he cast his mantle upon him 1 Kings xix 19.
Solomon placed 12 oxen under the bronze sea 1 Kings vii 25, 44.
He made a throne, and 12 lions standing at the steps thereof 1 Kings x 19, 20.
Upon the head of the woman encompassed with the sun was a crown of 12 stars Rev. xii 1.
From these things it can now be established that by the 144,000 sealed, 52,000 out of each individual tribe, are understood, not so many in number of Jews and Israelites, but all of the Christian New Heaven and the New Church, who will be in truths of doctrine out of the good of love from the Lord by means of the Word.
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