609. 'For it is the number of a man' signifies the quality of the Word and consequently of the Church. By 'a man' is signified wisdom and intelligence (n. 243). Here the wisdom and intelligence out of the Word; thus also the Word as to the wisdom and intelligence with a man of the Church. The Church itself also appears before the Lord as a man; consequently a man of the Church as to his spirit in heaven appears as a man in accordance with the quality of the Church out of the Word with him. This, therefore, is what is here signified by the 'number of a man', because it follows after the words, 'Let one having intelligence compute the number of the beast', by which is signified that he who is in enlightenment from the Lord is able to recognise what the confirmation of the doctrine and faith concerning God and salvation is like with the clergy. The quality of the Church out of the Word is also signified by 'a man' (n. 910, and elsewhere also).