579. [verse 4] 'And they adored the dragon, who gave authority to the beast' signifies the acknowledgment of the doctrine of justification by faith without the works of the law by the leaders and teachers, who have caused its prevalence through reception by the community at large. By 'to adore' is signified to acknowledge as a holy thing of the Church; by 'the dragon' is signified the doctrine of justification and salvation by faith alone without the works of the law (n. 537); by this 'beast' is signified the community at large, because it signifies the laity (n. 567); by 'to give authority' is signified to cause its prevalence through reception by these (n. 575).