560. Verse 13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman that brought forth the son, signifies that the dragonists in the world of spirits, immediately after their being cast down, began to infest the New Church on account of its doctrine. "When the dragon saw that he was cast upon the earth," signifies that when the dragonists saw that they were separated from heaven, and in conjunction with men on the earth (n. 552, 558); "he persecuted the woman," signifies that they immediately began to infest the Lord's church; that "the woman" whom he persecuted is that church, may be seen (n. 533); "who brought forth the son," signifies on account of the doctrine; that "the offspring," or "the male, a son" which the woman brought forth, is the doctrine of the New Church (see n. 535, 542, 543, 545).