609. For it is the number of a man, signifies the quality of the Word and thence of the church. By "man" is signified wisdom and intelligence (n. 243), here wisdom and intelligence from the Word; thus also the Word as to the wisdom and intelligence in the man of the church. The church itself likewise appears before the Lord as a man; hence a man of the church, as to his spirit, appears in heaven as a man according to the quality of the church from the Word in him. This therefore it is which is signified here by "the number of a man," because it follows after these words, "Let him that hath intelligence count the number of the beast," by which is signified that he who is in enlightenment from the Lord may know what the quality of the confirmations of the doctrine and faith concerning God and salvation among the clergy really is. The quality of the church from the Word is also signified by "man" (n. 920, and also in other places).