598、（第十三节）"又行大奇事"象征他们证明所教导的是真理，尽管那些是伪谬。"奇事"象征对真理的证明，因为古时行奇事是为了证明真理；但在奇事和神迹止息之后，它们的象征意义仍然存在，即对真理的证明。然而这里的"奇事"象征的是兽或假先知证明他们的伪谬是真理，原因是经过确证之后，它们看起来就不再是别的了。"奇事"象征对真理的证明，可从以下经文看出：
（在世代的末了）假基督、假先知将要起来，显大神迹、大奇事，倘若能行，连选民也就迷惑了。（马太福音24:24；马可福音13:22）
地要大大震动，多处必有饥荒、瘟疫，又有可怕的异象和大神迹从天上显现。日、月、星辰要显出异象，地上的邦国也有困苦，因海中波浪的响声，就慌慌不定。（路加福音21:11，25）
耶和华使说假话的兆头失效，使占卜的癫狂，使智慧人退后，使他们的知识变为愚拙。（以赛亚书44:25）
耶和华如此说：你们不要效法列国的行为，也不要因天上的神迹惊惶。（耶利米书10:2）；
他们本是鬼魔的灵，施行奇事，出去到普天下众王那里，叫他们在神全能者的大日聚集争战。（启示录16:14）
那兽被擒拿；那在兽面前曾行奇事、迷惑受兽印记和拜兽像之人的假先知，也与兽同被擒拿。（启示录19:20）。
"奇事"是对真理的证明，还可从以下经文明显看出：
门徒对耶稣说："你行什么神迹，叫我们看见就信你；你到底做什么事呢？”（约翰福音6:30-33）
犹太人、文士和法利赛人向主求神迹，好知道祂是基督（马太福音12:38-40；16:1-4；马可福音8:11-12；路加福音11:16，29-30；约翰福音2:16，18-19）。
门徒对耶稣说："请告诉我们，什么时候有这些事？你降临和世代的末了有什么预兆呢？"（马太福音24:3；马可福音13:4）
他们若不听从你，也不信头一个神迹，他们必信第二个神迹。（出埃及记4:8-9）
"神迹的声音"就是证明。
在他们中间显他证据的奇事。（诗篇105:27）
对亚哈斯说："你向耶和华你的神求一个兆头。"（以赛亚书7:11，14）
耶和华给你这兆头：我必使亚哈斯的日晷，向前进的日影往后退十度。（以赛亚书38:7-8）
希西家说：我能上耶和华的殿，有什么兆头呢？（以赛亚书38:22）
这就是我给你们的预兆，使你们知道我必在这地方刑罚你们，好叫你们知道我向你们所说的话必要立定。（耶利米书44:29-30）
耶和华啊，求你向我显出恩待我的凭据，叫恨我的人看见便羞愧。（诗篇86:17）
把将来的事指示我们，使我们思想先前的事，好知道事的结局，或者把将来的事指示我们。要说明后来的事，好叫我们知道你们是神。（以赛亚书41:22-23）
你的敌人在你会中吼叫；他们竖了自己的旗为记号。（诗篇74:3-4，9）
还有其它经文（以赛亚书45:11，13；耶利米书32:20-21；以西结书4:3；诗篇65:7-9（B.A. 6-8）；诗篇78:42-43；出埃及记7:3；民数记14:17，22；申命记4:34；13:2-4（B.A. 1-3）；士师记6:17，21；撒母耳记上2:34；14:10；马可福音16:17-18，20；路加福音2:11-12，16）。
"约的证据"也象征同样的意思（创世记9:13；17:11；以西结书20:12，20）。
从这些经文可以清楚看出，这兽为龙所行的"大奇事"，所指的不是奇事，而是他们证明所教导的是真理。因为每一个在伪谬中确证自己的异端者，在确证之后都会证明他的伪谬是真理；因为那时他就不再看见真理了，因为对伪谬的确证就是对真理的否定，而被否定的真理就失去了它的光；伪谬从确证之光（这是一种虚妄之光）中闪耀多少，真理之光就变成黑暗多少（参566节）。
598、启13:13.“他行大迹象”表示见证他们教导的东西是真的，尽管它们是假的。“迹象”表示见证事情是真的，因为以前，所行的迹象是为真理作见证的。但迹象和神迹停止后，它们的含义仍然保留，这是对真理的见证。但此处“迹象”表示来自那兽或假先知的见证，证明他的虚假是真理，因为虚假被确认后，只会看似真理。“迹象”(signs，或译为兆头，预兆，征兆，记号等)表示见证某事是真的，这一点可从以下经文明显看出来；马太福音：
在时代的完结，必有假基督和假先知要起来，显大迹象和奇事，如果可能，他们连选民也迷惑了。(马太福音24:24; 马可福音13:22)
路加福音：
将来有从天上来的可怕迹象；在日月星辰上必有迹象，海和咆哮的海浪。(路加福音21:11, 25)
以赛亚书：
耶和华使虚谎的预兆失效，使占卜的癫狂，使智慧人退后，使他们的知识或科学变为愚拙。(以赛亚书44:25)
耶利米书：
你们不要学习列族的道路，也不要因天上的征兆而惊惶。(耶利米书10:2)
启示录：
他们是鬼魔的灵，施行迹象，召集他们去赴那大日的争战。(启示录16:14)
又：
那兽被擒拿，那在他面前曾行迹象、迷惑人的假先知，也与他同被擒拿。(启示录19:20)
“迹象”(signs，或译为兆头，预兆，征兆，记号等)表示见证某事是真理，这一点从以下经文进一步明显看出来；约翰福音：
门徒对耶稣说，你行什么迹象，让我们相信你呢？你到底要做什么呢？(约翰福音6:30-33)
犹太人、文士和法利赛人从主那里求迹象，好叫他们知道祂是基督(马太福音12:38-40; 16:1-4; 马可福音8:11, 12; 路加福音11:16, 29-30; 约翰福音2:16, 18-19)。马太福音：
门徒对耶稣说，你降临和时代完结的预兆是什么呢？(马太福音24:3; 马可福音13:4)
出埃及记：
将来他们若不信你，也不听前一个迹象的声音，他们必信后一个迹象的声音。(出埃及记4:8)
“迹象的声音”是指见证。诗篇：
在他们中间施行祂迹象的话。(诗篇105:27)
以赛亚书：
耶和华对亚哈斯说，你向耶和华求一个兆头。(以赛亚书7:11, 14)
又：
这必是从耶和华那里给你的一个兆头，看哪，我必使台阶上的影儿，就是亚哈斯日晷上所照下的，往后退。(以赛亚书38:7, 8)
又：
希西家说，我能上耶和华的家，有什么预兆呢？(以赛亚书38:22)
耶利米书：
这必是给你的预兆，我要在这地方察罚你们，使你们知道我的话必站得住。(耶利米书44:29-30)
诗篇：
求耶和华向我显示良善的记号，使恨我的人看见就羞愧。(诗篇86:17)
以赛亚书：
让他们向你讲述将来要发生的事，好让我们记在心中；显示将来的一个迹象，好叫我们知道你们是神。(以赛亚书41:22, 23)
诗篇：
你的敌人在筵席中间吼叫，他们竖了自己的旗为记号。(诗篇74:3, 4, 9)
此外还有其它地方(如以赛亚书45:11, 13; 耶利米书32:20-21; 以西结书4:3; 诗篇65:6-8; 78:42-43; 出埃及记7:3; 民数记14:11, 22; 申命记4:34; 13:1-3; 士师记6:17, 21; 撒母耳记上2:34; 14:10; 马可福音16:17-18, 20; 路加福音2:11-12, 16)。“立约的记号”所表相同(创世记9:13; 17:11; 以西结书20:12, 20)。
由此清楚看出，龙的这只兽所行的“大迹象”不是指迹象，而是指他们的见证，证明他们教导的东西是真理；因为凡确认虚假的异端分子在确认之后都会努力证明他的虚假是真理；那时，他再也看不见真理，因为对虚假的确认就是对真理的否认，被否认的真理就失去它的光；虚假凭确认之光，也就是昏昧之光，发光到何等程度，真理之光就在何等程度上变成黑暗(可参看AR 566节)。
598. 13:13 "It also performs great signs." This symbolizes certifications that their teachings are true, even though they are false.
Signs symbolize certifications that things are true, because signs once occurred to attest to a truth. But after signs and miracles ceased, their symbolism still remained, which is the certification of a truth. Here, however, signs symbolize certifications by the beast or false prophet that its falsities were true, because that is how falsities appear after they are defended.
That signs symbolize certifications that something is true can be seen from the following passages:
(At the end of the age) false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22).
There will also be fearful... signs from heaven... There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars..., the sea and the waves roaring. (Luke 21:11, 25)
(Jehovah) frustrates the signs of liars, drives diviners mad, turning back wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish. (Isaiah 44:25)
Do not learn the way of the gentiles, and do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven. (Jeremiah 10:2)
...they are spirits of demons, performing signs..., to gather them to the battle of that great day... (Revelation 16:14)
Then the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who worked signs in its presence, (and) led astray... (Revelation 19:20)
[2] That signs were certifications that something was a truth is further apparent from the following:
(The disciples said to Jesus,) "What sign do You perform then, that we may... believe You? What work do You do?" (John 6:30-33)
The Jews, scribes and Pharisees sought a sign from the Lord, that they might know He was the Christ (Matthew 12:38-40; 16:1-4, Mark 8:11-12.
(The disciples said to Jesus,) "What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3, cf. Mark 13:4)
...if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, still they will believe the message of the latter sign. (Exodus 4:8-9)
The message of a sign is a certification.
They have set among them the messages of His signs... (Psalms 105:27)
(Jehovah said to Ahaz,) "Ask a sign for yourself from Jehovah...." (Isaiah 7:11, 14)
This is the sign to you from Jehovah...: "Behold, I will turn back the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz...." (Isaiah 38:7-8)
Hezekiah said, "What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of Jehovah?" (Isaiah 38:22)
This shall be a sign to you..., that I will visit you in this place, that you may know that My words will... stand... (Jeremiah 44:29-30)
Show me a sign (O Jehovah) for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed. (Psalms 86:17)
They will... announce to us what will happen..., that we may set our heart... Show the sign that is to come..., that we may know that you are gods. (Isaiah 41:22-23)
Your enemies roar in the midst of your festival; they set up their banners as signs. (Psalms 74:3-4, 9)
And so on elsewhere, as in Isaiah 45:11; 55:13.
Signs of the covenant have a similar symbolic meaning in Genesis 9:13; 17:11, Ezekiel 20:12, 20.
[3] It can be clearly seen from this that the great signs that this beast of the dragon performed do not mean signs, but certifications by the clergy that their teachings are true. For every heretic who confirms himself in falsities, afterward certifies that his falsities are true. Indeed, he does not see truths any longer, since the certification of a falsity is a denial of the truth, and truth denied loses its light. Moreover, in the measure that the light of their certification causes falsities to shine with an illusory light, in the same measure the light of truth becomes darkness (as may be seen in no. 566 above).
598. [verse 13] 'And he does great signs' signifies testifications that the things that they teach are true, although they are untrue. By 'signs' are signified testifications that they are true, because in times past 'signs' were done in order to testify to the truth (veritas). Nevertheless after signs and miracles have ceased, their signification still remains, which is a testification of the truth. Here, however, by 'signs' are signified testifications by the beast or false prophet that his untruths are true, for the reason that after the confirmations they do not appear otherwise. That testifications that something is true are signified by 'signs' can be established from the following passages:
In the consummation of the age there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, they shall give great signs and wonders, and if possible shall lead into error even the elect. Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22.
Dreadful signs also signs shall there be from heaven, there shall be signs in the sun, moon and stars, with the sea and waves roaring. Luke 21:11, 25.
Jehovah frustrates the signs of the liars. He makes the diviners mad rejecting the wise ones backwards, and making their knowledge foolish. Isaiah 44:25.
Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed by the signs of the heavens. Jeremiah 10:2-3.
They are the spirits of demons doing signs to gather them to the war of that great day. Revelation 16:14.
The beast was arrested and with him the false prophet, who did signs before him and led astray. Revelation 19:20.
[2] That 'signs' were testifications that a thing is the truth (veritas) is plain further from these:
The disciples said to Jesus, What sign doest Thou, that we may believe Thee? what dost Thou work? John 6:30-33.
The Jews, Scribes and Pharisees, were seeking a sign from the Lord, that they might know that He was the Christ. Matthew 12:38-40; 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-12; Luke 11:16, 29-30; John 2:16, 18-19.
The disciples said to Jesus, What is the sign of Thy coming and of the consummation of the age? Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:4.
If they do not believe thee, nor hear the voice of the first sign, yet they will believe the voice of the latter sign, Exodus 4:8-9.
'The voice of a sign' is a testification.
They set among them the words of His signs. Psalms 105:27.
He said unto Ahaz, Ask a sign from Jehovah. Isaiah 7:11, 14.
This [shall be] to thee a sign from Jehovah, behold I will draw back the shadow of the steps, which has gone down on the steps of Ahaz in front of the sun. Isaiah 38:7-8.
Hezekiah said, What is the sign that I am going to go up into the house of Jehovah? Isaiah 38:22.
This [shall be] a sign unto you, that I am going to visit upon you in this place, that you may know that My words stand. Jeremiah 44:29-30.
O Jehovah, make me a sign for good that those hating me may see and be ashamed. Psalms 86:17.
Let them announce to us what things shall happen, that we may set our heart; show a sign into the future that we may know that you are gods. Isaiah 41:22-23.
The enemy has roared in the midst of thy festival, they have set their signs for signs. Psalms 74:3-4, 9; besides elsewhere, as Isaiah 45:11, 13; Jeremiah 32:20-21; Ezekiel 4:3; Psalms 65:8-9 [H.B. 7-8]; Psalms 78:42-43; Exodus 7:3; Numbers 14:11, 22; Deuteronomy 4:34; 13:1-3 [H.B. 2-4]; Judges 6:17, 21; 1 Samuel 2:34; 14:10; Mark 16:17-18, 20; Luke 2:11-12, 16. Similar things are signified by the sign of the covenant (Genesis 9:13; 17:11; Ezekiel 20:12, 20).
[3] From these passages it can be seen clearly that by the 'great signs' which the beast of the dragon 'does' are not understood signs, but testifications by them that the things that they teach are true. For every heretic who has confirmed himself in untruths, after the confirmation protests that his untruths are true; for then he no longer sees truths, inasmuch as the confirmation of untruth is the denial of truth, and truth denied loses its light. And in so far as untruths shine by virtue of the light of confirmation, which is a fatuous light, so far the light of truth becomes dense darkness, as may be seen above (566).
598. Verse 13. And he doeth great signs, signifies testifications that the things they teach are true, although they are false. By "signs" are signified testifications that things are true, because formerly signs were wrought to bear testimony to the truth. But after signs and miracles ceased, their signification still remains, which is a testification of the truth. But here by "signs" are signified testifications from the beast or false prophet, that his falsities were truths, by reason that after they are confirmed they do not appear otherwise. That the testifications that it is the truth are signified by signs, may appear from the following passages:
In the consummation of the age there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall give great signs and portents, and, if it were possible, they shall lead into error the very elect, (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22).
There shall also be dreadful signs from heaven; and there shall be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, the sea and the waves roaring, (Luke 21:11, 25).
Jehovah maketh void the signs of the liars. He maketh the diviners mad, rejecting the wise men backward and maketh their science foolish, (Isaiah 44:25).
Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed by the signs of the heavens, (Jeremiah 10:2).
They are the spirits of demons working signs to gather them to the battle of that great day, (Revelation 16:14).
The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that did signs before him, and seduced, (Revelation 19:20).
[2] That "signs" were testifications that it was truth, appears further from the following passages:
The disciples said to Jesus, What sign doest Thou, that we may believe Thee? What dost Thou work? (John 6:30-33).
The Jews, Scribes, and Pharisees sought a sign of the Lord, that they might know that He was the Christ, (Matthew 12:38-40; 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-12; Luke 11:16, 29-30; John 2:16, 18-19).
The disciples said to Jesus, What is the sign of Thy coming and of the consummation of the age? (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:4).
If they will not believe thee, nor hear the voice of the first sign, yet they will believe the voice of the latter sign, (Exodus 4:8).
"The voice of a sign" is testification.
They showed among them the words of His signs, (Psalms 105:27).
He said unto Ahaz, Ask thee a sign from Jehovah, (Isaiah 7:11, 14).
This shall be a sign from Jehovah unto thee, behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, (Isaiah 38:7-8).
Hezekiah had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of Jehovah? (Isaiah 38:22).
This shall be a sign unto you, that I will visit upon you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall stand, (Jeremiah 44:29-30).
O Jehovah, make me a sign for good, that they which hate me may see and be ashamed, (Psalms 86:17).
Let them announce to you 1what shall happen, that we may set our heart; show a sign of what is to come, that we may know that ye are gods, (Isaiah 41:22-23).
Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy festival, they have set up their signs for signs, (Psalms 74:3-4, 9; besides other places; as Isaiah 45:11, 13; Jeremiah 32:20-21; Ezekiel 4:3; Psalms 65:6-8; 78:42-43; Exodus 7:3; Numbers 14:11, 22; Deuteronomy 4:34; 13:1-3; Judges 6:17, 21; 1 Samuel 2:34; 14:10; Mark 16:17-18, 20; Luke 2:11-12, 16).
The like is signified by "the sign of the covenant" (Genesis 9:13; 17:11; Ezekiel 20:12, 20).
[3] Hence it may clearly be seen, that by "the great signs," which this beast of the dragon works, are not meant signs, but the testifications by them that what they teach are truths; for every heretic who has confirmed himself in falsities, after confirmation strives to prove that his falsities are truths; for then he no longer sees truths, inasmuch as the confirmation of falsity is the denial of truth, and a truth denied loses its light; and so far as falsities shine from the light of confirmation, which is a fatuous light, so far the light of truth becomes darkness, as may be seen above, (566).
Footnotes:
1. The Hebrew has "us."
598. (Vers. 13.) "Et facit signa magna," significat testificationes quod quae docent vera sint, tametsi sunt falsa. - Per "signa" significantur testificationes quod vera sint, quia olim signa facta sunt, ut testificarentur veritatem; sed postquam signa et miracula cessarunt, usque manet significatio eorum, quae est testificatio veritatis: hic autem per "signa" significantur testificationes a Bestia seu Pseudopropheta quod falsa ejus essent vera, ex causa quia post confirmationes non aliter apparent. Quod testificationes quod verum sit, per signa significentur, constare potest ex sequentibus locis:
In Consummatione saeculi "surgent falsi Christi et Pseudoprophetae, dabunt Signa magna et Portenta, ac in errorem inducent, si possibile est, etiam electos," (Matthaeus 24:24; Marcus 13:22);
"Terribilia quoque Signa de Caelo erunt; erunt Signa in sole, luna et astris, resonante mari et salo," (Luca 21:11, 25);
Jehovah "irrita reddit Signa mendacium, divinatores insanos reddit, rejiciens sapientes retro, et scientiam illorum stultam facit," (Esaias 44:25);
"Viam gentium ne discite, et a Signis caelorum ne consternemini," (Jeremias 10:2); 1
"Sunt Spiritus daemonum facientes Signa, ad congregandum eos in bellum diei illius magni," (Apocalypsis 16:14);
"Comprehensa est Bestia et cum ea Pseudopropheta, qui fecit Signa coram illa, et seduxit," (Apocalypsis 19:20).
Quod "signa" fuerint testificationes quod veritas sit, patet adhuc ab his:
Discipuli dixerunt ad Jesum, "Quodnam facis Signum, ut credamus Tibi; quid 2operaris," (Johannes 6:30-33);
Judaei, Scribae et Pharisaei quaerebant Signum a Domino, ut scirent quod Christus esset, (Matthaeus 12:38-40; 16:1-4; Marcus 8:11-12; Luca 11:16, 29-30; Johannes 2:16, 18-19);
Discipuli dixerunt ad Jesum, "Quodnam Signum Adventus Tui et Consummationis saeculi," (Matthaeus 24:3; Marcus 13:4); 3
"Si non crediderint tibi, nec audiverint vocem Signi primi, credent tamen voci Signi posterioris," (Exodus 4:8-9); 4
"vox signi" est testificatio.
"Posuerunt inter eos verba Signorum Suorum," (Psalm 105:27);
Dixit ad Achasum, "Pete tibi Signum a Jehovah," (Esaias 7:11, 14);
"Hoc tibi Signum a Jehovah, ecce retraham umbram graduum, quae descendit in gradibus Achasi pro sole," (Esaias 38:7-8);
"Dixit Hischias, Quodnam Signum quod ascensurus sim in domum Jehovae," (Esaias 38:22); 5
"Hoc vobis Signum quod visitaturus Ego super vos in loco hoc, ut sciatis quod consistant verba Mea," (Jeremias 44:29-30);
Jehovah "fac mecum Signum in bonum, ut videant osores mei et pudefiant," (Psalm 86:17);
"Nuntient vobis quae contingent, ut ponamus cor nostrum, indicate Signum in futurum, ut sciamus quod dii vos," (Esaias 41:22-23);
"Rugierunt hostes in festi tui medio, posuerunt Signa sua Signa," (Psalm 74:3-4, 9).
(Praeter alibi, ut Esaias 45:11, 13; Jeremias 32:20-21; 6Ezechiel 4:3; Psalm 65:7-9 (B.A. 6-8); 7Psalm 78:42-43; Exodus 7:3; 8Numeri 14:17, 22; Deuteronomius 4:34; 13:2-4 (B.A. 1-3); Judicum 6:17, 21; 1 Samuelis 2:34; 914:10; Marcus 16:17-18; 20; 10Luca 2:11-12, 16).
Similia significantur per "Signa foederis"
(Genesis 9:13; 17:11; Ezechiel 20:12, 20).
Ex his clare videri potest quod per "signa magna," quae facit haec Bestia Draconis, non intelligantur signa, sed testificationes ab illis, quod quae docent vera sint: unusquisque enim haereticus, qui se confirmavit in falsis, post confirmationem contestatur quod falsa ejus sint vera; non enim tunc videt vera amplius, quoniam confirmatio falsi est negatio veri, et verum negatum amittit lucem suam et quantum falsa ex confirmationis luce, quae est lux fatua, nitent, tantum lux veri fit caligo, videatur supra (566).
Footnotes:
1. 2 pro "2, 3"
2. quid pro "quod"
3. Marc. pro "Matth."
4. iv. pro "xiv."
5. 22 pro "12"
6. xxxii. pro "xxxi."
7. 7-9 pro "7, 8"
8. vii. pro "vi."
9. 34 pro "14"
10. 20 pro "30"