[2] The reason why the Word may be meant by a beast is, that both a lion and a lamb are beasts, and yet the Lord is meant by them in the Word throughout. Also, because sheep, kids, rams, goats, and heifers also are beasts, and yet by them in the Word everywhere are signified the holy things of heaven and the church. [In a] former [part of this book], also, by the beast out of the earth are signified confirmations from the Word in favour of faith separated, as may be seen (n. 815). That nothing else can be signified by this beast is quite evident from the facts related concerning it (ver. 13), that the ten kings gave their power and authority to the beast; also, from those in verses 16 and 17, that they should give their kingdom to the beast who, notwithstanding, were those who made the whore desolate, ate her flesh, and burnt her with fire.

[3] The reason why the whore was seen sitting upon it was, that Babylon founded her domination upon some passages in the Word, as upon the words which were spoken by the Lord to Peter. The same is also signified where it is said of the whore, that she sat upon many waters, and, in another place, upon treasures; also, where she was seen clothed in crimson and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup (vers. 1-4 of this chapter. Likewise, Jer. li. 13).

Continuation concerning the Word:-

[4] There is successive order, and there is simultaneous order. In successive order things pure and perfect appear above, and those less pure and perfect appear below. The three heavens are in successive order, one above another; and in the higher heavens all things are pure and perfect, and in the lower they are less pure and perfect. Simultaneous order exists in lower things, and fully in the lowest; for higher things descend and repose in the order called simultaneous, in which the pure and perfect things, which were higher, are in the midst or centre, and the less pure and perfect, which were lower, are in the circumferences. This is why in the ultimates all things together are in their order, which existed in successive order.

[5] Now because all higher things repose in those that are lowest in simultaneous order, it follows, that in the ultimates of the Word, which are its literal sense, are all things of Divine truth and of Divine good, even from their primaries. And because all things of Divine truth and Divine good, in their ultimate, which is the literal sense of the Word, are together, it is evident that the power of Divine truth is there, indeed, the Omnipotence of the Lord, in saving man. For when the Lord operates, He does not do so from primaries by mediates into ultimates, but from primaries by means of ultimates, and so into mediates. Hence it is that in the Word the Lord is called the First and the Last. And hence it is that the Lord assumed the Human, which in the world was Divine truth, or the Word; and that He glorified it even to the ultimates, which are the bones and flesh; in order that He might operate from primaries by means of ultimates from Himself, and not, as before, from man. This power in ultimates was represented by the hair with the Nazarites, as with Samson; for the hair corresponds to the ultimates of Divine truth.

[6] This also was the reason that, in ancient times, it was disgraceful to induce baldness. The reason why the boys, who called Elisha bald-head, were torn in pieces by bears was, that Elisha and Elijah represented the Word; and the Word without the literal sense, which would be like a head without hair, would be without power, and thus no longer the Word. Bears signify those who are in strength from the ultimates of truth. The power of the Word in the literal sense is the power of opening heaven, from which communication and conjunction is effected, and also the power of fighting against falsities and evils, thus against the hells. A man who is in genuine truths from the literal sense of the Word can cast down and dissipate all the diabolical crew, and also their arts, which are innumerable, in which they place their power; and this in a moment, by intuition alone, and by an effort of the will. In a word, in the spiritual world nothing can resist genuine truths confirmed from the literal sense of the Word.