10.“约翰写信给七个教会”表凡在基督教界和亲近教会的所有人，圣言就在基督教界，主通过圣言为人所知。“七个教会”不是七个教会，而是指所有属于基督教界的教会之人。因为在圣言中，数字都表示事物，其中“七”表示所有事物和所有人，因此也表示完全和完美之物，出现于圣言中论述神圣之物的地方，在相反的意义上，则出现于论述亵渎之物的地方。所以这个数字涉及神圣之物，在相反的意义上则涉及亵渎之物。数字之所以表示事物，就像名词的形容词，赋予事物某些品质，是因为数字本是属世的；属世的事物由数字来限定，属灵的事物由事物及其状态来限定。因此，人若不了解圣言、特别是启示录中数字的含义，不可能明白其中所包含的诸多奥秘。由于“七”表示所有事物和所有人，所以很明显，“七个教会”是指基督教界的所有人，圣言就在基督教界，主通过圣言为人所知。这些人若照主在圣言中的诫命生活，就会成为教会本身。
正因如此，安息日设立于第七日，第七年则称为安息年，七个七年称为禧年，以此表示教会的一切神圣之物。因同样的缘故，在但以理书和其它经卷中，“一周”（或七日）表示自始至终的一个完整时期，且论及教会。在下列经文中，数字“七”所表相同：
七个金灯台中间，有一位好像人子。（启示录1:13）
又有七盏火灯。（启示录4:5）
七位天使，有七枝号赐给他们。（启示录8:2）
封严书卷的七印。（启示录5:1）
同样还有以下经文：
他们的手要承接七天。（出埃及记29:35）
它们要成圣七天。（出埃及记29:37）
每逢供职的时候，他们都要穿圣衣七天。（出埃及记29:30）
他们七天不可出会幕的门，等到他们承接圣职的日子满了。（利未记8:33，35）
坛因膏油七次而成圣。（利未记8:11）
除污秽的水向会幕弹七次。（民数记19:4）
逾越节要庆祝七天；要吃无酵饼七日。（出埃及记12:15；申命记16:4-7）
同样：
犹太人因他们的罪而受惩罚七倍。（利未记26:18，21，24，28）
所以大卫说：
归还我们的邻邦，加七倍归到他们怀里。（诗篇79:12）
“七倍”指彻彻底底地。再如这些地方：
耶和华的言语是纯净的言语。如同银子在泥炉中炼过七次。（诗篇12:6）
饥饿的，再不饥饿。不生育的，生了七个，多有儿女的，反倒衰微。（撒母耳记上2:5）
“不生育的”是指没有圣言的外邦人的教会，“多有儿女的”是指拥有圣言的犹太人的教会。再如：
生过七子的妇人力衰气绝。（耶利米书15:9）
同样：
住以色列城邑的人必点火烧军械，他们必用火烧它们，直烧七年；他们必葬埋歌革，洁净那地七个月。（以西结书39:9，11-12）
污灵另带了七个比自己更恶的灵来。（马太福音12:45）
此处描述的是亵渎。他所带回的“七个灵”表邪恶的一切虚假，因而表良善和真理的彻底灭绝。“龙的七头”和“他头上的七个冠冕”（启示录12:3）表对一切良善和真理的亵渎。综上所述，明显可知，“七”涉及神圣或亵渎之物，表示所有和全部。
10. John, to the seven churches. (1:4) This symbolically means, to all who are in the Christian world where the Word exists and where through it the Lord is known, and who turn to the church.
The seven churches mean, not seven churches, but all who are constituents of the church in the Christian world. For numbers in the Word symbolize properties, and seven symbolizes all things or all people, and so also fullness and completeness, and it occurs in the Word where the subject is something holy, and in an opposite sense, something profane. Consequently this number involves holiness, and in an opposite sense, profanation.
Numbers symbolize properties, or rather they serve as a class of adjectives to substantives, assigning some attribute to their subjects, because a number in itself is a natural quantity. For natural things are measured by numbers, but spiritual things by properties and their states. Therefore someone who does not know the symbolism of numbers in the Word, and particularly in the book of Revelation, cannot know the many secrets that it contains.
Now, because seven symbolizes all things or all people, it is apparent that the seven churches mean all people in the Christian world where the Word exists and where through it the Lord is known. If these live according to the Lord's commandments in the Word, they form the real church.
[2] It is because of this that the Sabbath was instituted on the seventh day, and that the seventh year was called a sabbatical year, and the forty-ninth year the year of Jubilee, which symbolized everything holy in the church.
It is because of this, too, that a week in Daniel and elsewhere symbolizes an entire period from beginning to end and is predicated of the church.
Similar things are symbolized by seven hereafter, as for example, by the seven golden lampstands, in the midst of which was the Son of Man (Revelation 1:13); by the seven stars in His right hand (1:16, 20); by the seven spirits of God (1:4; 4:5); by the seven lamps of fire (4:5); by the seven angels to whom were given seven trumpets (8:2); by the seven angels having the seven last plagues (15:5-6); by the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues (16:1; 21:9); by the seven seals with which the book was sealed (5:1).
Likewise in the following places: That their hands should be filled for seven days (Exodus 29:35). That they should be sanctified for seven days (Exodus 29:37). That when they were inaugurated they should go in seven days, clothed in holy garments (Exodus 29:30). That for seven days they should not go out of the Tabernacle while being initiated into the priesthood (Leviticus 8:33, 35). That atonement should be made for the altar seven times on its horns (Leviticus 16:18-19), and also seven times toward the east (Leviticus 16:12-15). That the water of separation should be sprinkled seven times toward the Tabernacle (Numbers 19:4). That Passover should be celebrated for seven days and unleavened bread eaten for seven days (Exodus 12:1ff., Deuteronomy 16:4-7).
So, too, that the Jews should be punished sevenfold for their sins (Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24, 28), on which account David says, "Requite our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom" (Psalms 79:12). "Sevenfold" means fully.
[3] Also in these places:
The words of Jehovah are pure words, silver... in a furnace... purified seven times. (Psalms 12:6)
The hungry have ceased, until the barren has borne seven, while she who has many children has become feeble. (1 Samuel 2:5)
"The barren" is the church of the gentiles, who did not have the Word. "She who has many children" is the church of the Jews, who did have the Word. Similarly,
She will languish who has borne seven; she will breath out her soul. (Jeremiah 15:9)
Those who dwell in the cities of Israel will... set on fire and burn the weapons...; and they will make fires with them for seven years... ...they will bury Gog, and... for seven months... will be cleansing the land. (Ezekiel 39:9, 11-12)
(The unclean spirit) will take seven other spirits more wicked than himself... (Matthew 12:45)
Profanation is described there, and the seven spirits with which he would return symbolize all falsities of evil, thus a complete extinguishing of goodness and truth.
The seven heads of the dragon, and the seven jewels 1on its heads (Revelation 12:3), symbolize the profanation of all goodness and truth.
This makes apparent that "seven" involves holiness or profanation, and symbolizes completeness and fullness.
Footnotes:
1. The word translated as "jewels" here means diadems or crowns in the original Greek and Latin, but the writer's definitions of the term elsewhere make plain that he regularly and consistently interpreted it to mean jewels or gems.
10. [verse 4] 'John to the seven Churches' signifies to all who are in Christendom, where the Word is, and through it the Lord is known, and who accede to the Church. By 'the seven Churches' are not understood seven Churches, but all who belong to the Church in Christendom; for in the Word numbers signify things, and 'seven' signifies all things and all people, and thence also what is full and perfect, and it is mentioned in the Word where it treats of a holy thing, and in the opposite sense of a profane thing. This number therefore involves what is holy, and in the opposite sense what is profane. Numbers signify things, or rather they are as certain adjectives to substantives, imparting some quality to things. This is because number in itself is natural, for by means of numbers natural objects are limited, but those that are spiritual are limited by means of things and their states. He, therefore, who does not know the signification of the numbers in the Word, and especially in the Apocalypse, is unable to know the many arcana that are contained therein. Now, since all things and all people are signified by 'seven,' it is plain that by 'the seven Churches' are understood all who are in Christendom, where the Word is, and through it the Lord is known. These, if they live in accordance with the Lord's precepts in the Word, make the Church itself.
[2] It is for this reason that the Sabbath was instituted on the 'seventh day,' and the 'seventh year' used to be termed the Sabbatical year, and the 'seven times seventh year' the Jubilee, by which everything holy in the Church was signified. For the same reason 'a week,' in Daniel and elsewhere, signifies an entire period from beginning to end, and is predicated of the Church. Similar things are signified by 'seven' in the following passages:
The seven golden lampstands, in the midst of which was the Son of Man. Revelation 1:13.
The seven stars in His right hand. Revelation 1:16, 20.
The seven spirits of God. Revelation 1:4; 4:5.
The seven lamps of fire. Revelation 4:5.
The seven angels, to whom were given seven trumpets. Revelation 3:2.
The seven angels having the seven last plagues. Revelation 15:5-6.
The seven phials full of the seven last plagues. Revelation 16:1; 21:9.
The seven seals with which the Book was sealed. Revelation 8:2.
Similarly in the following:
Their hands were filled seven days. 1Exodus 29:35.
They were sanctified seven days. Exodus 29:37.
When they were inaugurated they used to march seven days clothed in the garments of holiness. Exodus 29:29-30.
For seven days they might not withdraw from the tent, when they were being initiated into the priesthood. Leviticus 8:33, 35.
The altar was atoned for seven times upon the horns. Leviticus 16:18-19.
The altar was sanctified seven times in succession. Leviticus 8:11.
Blood was sprinkled seven times in succession in the direction of the veil. Leviticus 4:16-17.
And also seven times in succession towards the east. Leviticus 16:12-15.
The water of separation was sprinkled seven times in succession in the direction of the tent. Numbers 19:4.
The Passover was celebrated for seven days, and for seven days unleavened [bread] was eaten. Exodus 12:1 seq.; Deuteronomy 16:4-7.
In like manner:
The Jews used to be punished sevenfold for their sins. Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24, 28.
Therefore David says:
Render unto [our] neighbours sevenfold into their bosom. Psalms 79:12.
[3] 'Sevenfold' is fully. Again in these places:
The sayings of Jehovah are pure sayings, silver purified in the furnace seven times. Psalms 12:6:[H.B. 7].
The hungry ceased, so that the barren has borne seven, but she who has many children has failed. 1 Samuel 2:5.
'The barren' is the Church of the Gentiles, who did not have the Word; 'she who has many children' is the Church of the Jews, who had the Word.
She who has borne seven languishes, she shall breathe out her soul. Jeremiah 15:9.
Similarly:
They who dwell in the cities of Israel shall set on fire and burn the weapons, and they shall light them up with fire for seven years; they shall bury Gog, and seven months shall they be cleansing the land. Ezekiel 39:9, 11-12.
The unclean spirit will take with him seven other spirits worse than himself. Matthew 12:45.
Profanation is described there, and by the 'seven spirits' with whom he was going to return are signified all the untruths of evil, thus the complete extinction of good and truth. By the 'seven heads of the dragon' and the 'seven diadems upon his heads' (Revelation 12:3) is signified the profanation of all good and truth. It is plain from these things that 'seven' involves what is holy or what is profane, and signifies all and what is full.
Footnotes:
1. AV has 'seven days shalt thou consecrate them,' but Hebrew has 'seven days shalt thou fill their band.' See also Arcana Caelestia 10110, 10120.
10. Verse 4. John to the seven churches, signifies to all who are in the Christian world where the Word is, and by it the Lord is known, and who draw near to the church. By the "seven churches" are not meant seven churches, but all who are of the church in the Christian world; for numbers, in the Word, signify things, and "seven," all things and all, and thence, also, what is full and perfect, and it occurs in the Word where anything holy is treated of, and in the opposite sense, of anything profane; consequently, this number involves what is holy, and, in the opposite sense, what is profane. The reason why numbers signify things, or rather resemble certain adjectives to substantives adding some quality to the things, is, because number is, in itself, natural; for natural things are determined by numbers, but spiritual things by things and their states. Therefore, he who does not know the signification of numbers in the Word, and especially in Revelation, cannot know the many arcana which are contained therein. Now, since "seven" signifies all things and all, it may appear that by the "seven churches" are meant all who are in the Christian world where the Word is, and by it the Lord is known. These, if they live according to the Lord's precepts in the Word, make the church itself.
[2] Hence it is that the Sabbath was instituted on the seventh day, and the seventh year was called the sabbatical year; and the seven times seventh year the Jubilee, by which was signified everything holy in the church: for this cause, also, a week, in Daniel, and elsewhere, signifies an entire period from beginning to end, and is predicated of the church. Similar things are signified by seven in the following passages, as by:
The seven golden lampstands, in the midst of which was the Son of Man, (Revelation 1:13).
The seven stars in his right hand, (Revelation 1:16, 20).
The seven spirits of God, (Revelation 1:4; 4:5).
The seven lamps of fire, (Revelation 4:5).
The seven angels, to whom were given seven trumpets, (Revelation 8:2).
The seven angels having the seven last plagues, (Revelation 15:5-6).
The seven vials full of the seven last plagues, (Revelation 16:1; 21:9).
The seven seals with which the book was sealed, (Revelation 5:1).
In like manner in the following places that:
Their hands should be filled seven days, (Exodus 29:35).
They should be sanctified seven days, (Exodus 29:37).
When they were consecrated they should go clothed in the garments of holiness seven days, (Exodus 29:30).
They were not to go out of the door of the tent seven days, when they were initiated into the priesthood, (Leviticus 8:33, 35).
An atonement was to be made seven times upon the horns of the altar, (Leviticus 16:18-19).
The altar was to be sanctified with oil seven times, (Leviticus 8:11).
The blood was to be sprinkled seven times before the veil, (Leviticus 4:16-17).
And also seven times toward the east, (Leviticus 16:12-15).
The water of separation was to be sprinkled seven times towards the tent, (Numbers 19:4).
The passover was celebrated seven days; and unleavened bread was eaten seven days, (Exodus 12:15; Deuteronomy 16:4-7).
In like manner:
The Jews were to be punished seven times more for their sins, (Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24, 28).
Wherefore David says:
Recompense unto our neighbor sevenfold into their bosom, (Psalms 79:12).
[3] Sevenfold is fully. Likewise in these places:
The sayings of Jehovah are pure sayings, silver purified in the furnace seven times, (Psalms 12:6).
The hungry ceased, so that the barren hath borne seven, but she that hath many children lacketh, (1 Samuel 2:5).
"The barren" is the church of the Gentiles, who had not the Word; "she that hath many children" is the church of the Jews, who had the Word.
She who had borne seven languisheth, she shall breathe out her soul, (Jeremiah 15:9).
In like manner:
They that dwell in the cities of Israel shall set on fire and burn up the arms, and they shall kindle them with fire seven years: they shall bury Gog, and seven months shall they be cleansing the land, (Ezekiel 39:9, 11-12).
The unclean spirit will take with him seven other spirits worse than himself, (Matthew 12:45).
Profanation is here described, and by "the seven spirits" with which he would return, are signified all the falsities of evil; thus the plenary extinction of good and truth. By "the seven heads of the dragon," and "the seven diadems upon his heads" (Revelation 12:3), is signified the profanation of all good and truth. From these things it is evident, that "seven" involves what is holy or profane, and signifies all and full.
10. (Vers. 4.) "Johannes septem Ecclesiis," significat ad omnes qui in Christiano Orbe sunt, ubi Verbum, et per id Dominus notus est, et accedunt ad Ecclesiam. - Per "septem Ecclesias" non intelliguntur Septem Ecclesiae, sed omnes qui ab Ecclesia in Christiano Orbe sunt; nam numeri in Verbo significant res, ac "septem" omnia et omnes, et inde etiam plenum et perfectum, et dicuntur in Verbo ubi agitur de re sancta, et in opposito sensu de re prophana; quare ille numerus involvit Sanctum, et in opposito Sensu prophanum. Quod numeri significent res, vel potius quod sint sicut quaedam adjectiva ad substantiva afferentes aliquod quale rebus, est quia numerus in se est naturalis, naturalia enim determinantur per numeros, spiritualia autem per res et earum status; quare qui non scit significationem numerorum in Verbo, et imprimis in Apocalypsi, non scire potest multa arcana, quae inibi continentur. Nunc quia per "Septem" significantur omnia et omnes, patet quod per "septem Ecclesias" intelligantur omnes qui in Christiano Orbe sunt, ubi Verbum est, et per id Dominus notus est; hi, si vivunt secundum praecepta Domini in Verbo, faciunt ipsam Ecclesiam.
[2] Inde est quod Sabbathum Die Septimo institutum sit, et quod Septimus Annus dictus fuerit Annus Sabbatharius, et quod Septies Septimus Annus Jubilaeum; per quae significabatur omne Sanctum in Ecclesia: inde etiam est, quod Septimana, apud Danielem et alibi, significet integram periodum a principio ad finem, et praedicetur de Ecclesia. Similia per Septem significantur in sequentibus; ut,
Per "Septem Candelabra aurea, in quorum medio Filius Hominis," (Apocalypsis 1:13);
Per "Septem Stellas in dextra Ipsius," (Apocalypsis 1:16, 20);
Per "Septem Spiritus Dei," (Apocalypsis 1:4; 4:5);
Per "Septem Lampades ignis," (Apocalypsis 4:5);
Per "Septem Angelos," quibus datae sunt "Septem Tubae," (Apocalypsis 8:2);
Per "Septem Angelos habentes Septem Plagas ultimas," (Apocalypsis 15:5-6)
Per "Septem Phialas plenas Septem Plagis ultimis," (Apocalypsis 16:1; 21:9);
Per "Septem Sigilla" quibus Liber obsignatus est, (Apocalypsis 5:1);
similiter in sequentibus his:
Quod Septem diebus implerentur manus, (Exodus 29:35);
Quod Septem diebus sanctificarentur, (Exodus 29:37);
Quod cum inaugurabantur Septem diebus incederent induti vestibus sanctitatis, (Exodus 29:30);
Quod Septem diebus non recederent a Tentorio, cum initiabantur in sacerdotium, (Leviticus 8:33, 35; 1
Quod Altare Septies expiaretur super cornua, (Leviticus 16:18-19);
Quod Altare per oleum Septem vicibus sanctificaretur, (Leviticus 8:11);
Quod sanguis Septem vicibus spargeretur versus velum, (Leviticus 4:16-17);
Et quoque Septem vicibus versus orientem, (Leviticus 16:12-15);
Quod qua separationis Septem vicibus spargeretur versus tentorium, (Numeri 19:4);
Quod Pascha Septem diebus celebraretur; et Septem diebus comederetur azyma, (Exodus 12:1, seq. (vers. 15); Deuteronomius 16:4-7);
pariter,
Quod Judaei punirentur septuplum propter peccata eorum, (Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24, 28); 2
quare David dicit,
"Retribue vicinis septuplum in sinum eorum," (Psalm 79:12); 3
"septuplum" est plene.
[3] Tum in his locis:
"Sermones Jehovae sermones puri, argentum in camino purificatum Septies," (Psalm 12:7 (B.A. 6));
"Famelici cessarunt, usque dum sterilis peperit Septem, multiprolis autem defecit," (1 Samuelis 2:5);
"sterilis" est Ecclesia ex gentibus, quibus non fuit Verbum; "multiprolis" est Ecclesia ex Judaeis, quibus fuit Verbum.
"Elanguescet quae pepererat Septem, exspirabit animam suam," (Jeremias 15:9); 4similiter.
"Habitatores urbium Israelis incendent et comburent arma, et accendent illis ignem Septem annis: sepelient Gogum, et mundabunt terram Septem mensibus," (Ezechiel 39:9, (11,) 12);
"Immundus spiritus accipiet Septem spiritus alios pejores se ipso," (Matthaeus 12:45);
describitur ibi prophanatio, et per "septem Spiritus" cum quibus rediturus est, significantur omnia falsa mali, ita plenaria exstinctio boni et veri. Per "Septem capita draconis," et per "Septem diademata super capitibus," (Apocalypsis 12:3),
significatur prophanatio omnis boni et veri. Ex his patet, quod "Septem" involvant sanctum aut prophanum, ac significent omnia et plenum.
Footnotes:
1. 35 pro "34"
2. xxvi. pro "xvi."
3. 12 pro "72"
4. 15:9 pro "11:8, 9"