580. 'And they adored the beast' signifies the acknowledgment by the community at large that it is a holy truth (veritas) that no one can do a good work by himself, nor fulfil the law. By 'to adore' is signified to acknowledge as a holy thing of the Church, as just above (n. 579), here that it is a holy truth (veritas) that no one can do a good work by himself, and fulfil the law; and because these two are [considered as] holy truths, it follows that the works of the law are to be removed from faith, as not effecting salvation. But that these truths together with many others have been falsified may be seen above (n. 566). By 'the beast' here is signified the same as by 'the dragon', on account of reception and acknowledgment; and it is therefore said that 'they adored the dragon' and 'they adored the beast'.