505.启11:9.“从各人民、各支派、各方言、各民族，有人观看他们的尸首三天半”表当等到现教会结束，新教会开始，所有那些因唯信已经并将要陷入教义的虚假，由此陷入生活的邪恶之人听到并将要听到这两大基本要素，也就是对主和遵行十诫的行为的承认之时。“各人民、各支派、各方言、各民族”表示属改革宗的所有因唯信已经陷入并将要陷入教义的虚假，由此陷入生活的邪恶之人；“各人民”表示那些陷入教义的虚假之人（483节）；“各支派”表示教会的虚假与邪恶（349节）；“各方言”表示对它们的承认和接受（483节）；“各民族”表示那些陷入生活的邪恶之人（483节）。因此，这四者表示已经并将要如此的所有和每个人，因而表示那些在大城里的人，以及那些此后从世上来到这里的像他们那样的人。“他们的尸首”或这两个见证人的尸首，表示上述新教会的两大基本要素（501节）；“有人观看”表示当他们听到并将要听到它们时，因为“看”是指着他们的尸首说的，“听”是指着这两大基本要素说的；“三天半”表示直到结束和开始，也就是现教会的结束和新教会的开始。将这些含义综合成一个意思，明显可知这些话，即“从各人民、各支派、各方言、各民族，有人观看他们的尸首三天半”在灵义上就表示上述这类事。“三天半”表示直到结束和开始，因为“天”表示状态，数字“三”表示完整到结束之物，“半”表示一个开始。“三天半”与“一周”所表相同，一周中的的“六天”表示完整到结束之物，“第七天”表示神圣之物；因为“三个半”是数字“七”的一半，“七天”构成“一周”，一个数字的两倍或一半具有相同的含义。
从以下圣言经文可以看出来，“三”表示完整因而直到结束之物：
以赛亚赤脚行走三年。（以赛亚书20:3）
耶和华呼叫撒母耳三次，撒母耳跑向以利三次，第三次以利才明白过来。（撒母耳记上3:1-8）
以利亚三次伏在寡妇的儿子身上。（列王纪上17:21）
以利亚让他们在燔祭上倒水三次。（列王纪上18:34）
耶稣说，天国好像面酵，有妇人拿来藏在三斗面里，直等全团都发起来。（马太福音13:33）
耶稣告诉彼得，说彼得要三次不认祂。（马太福音26:34）
约拿在鲸鱼腹中三天三夜。（约拿书1:17）
耶稣说，这圣殿要拆毁，祂三日内又建造起来。（马太福音26:61；约翰福音2:19）耶稣在客西马尼园祷告三次。（马太福音26:39-44）
耶稣在第三天复活。（马太福音28:1）
此外还有其它许多经文（如以赛亚书16:14；何西阿书6:2；出埃及记3:18；10:22-23；19:1，11，15-16，18；利未记19:23-25；民数记19:11至末尾；31:19-24；申命记19:2-3；26:12；约书亚记1:11；3:2；撒母耳记上20:5，12，19-20，35-36，41；撒母耳记下24:11-13；但以理书10:1-3；马可福音12:2，4，6；路加福音20:12；13:32，33）。“七”和“三”一样表示完满和完整之物；不过“七”论及神圣事物，“三”论及非神圣之物。
505. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their bodies for three and a half days. (11:9) This symbolizes all those who were or who would be caught up in doctrinal falsities and the resulting evil practices at the end of the church still existing, when they have heard and later hear about these two essential elements at the beginning of the New Church, namely, an acknowledgment of the Lord and of works in accordance with the Ten Commandments.
Peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations mean all those of the Protestant Reformed who were or who would be caught up in doctrinal falsities and the resulting evil practices owing to their faith alone. Peoples symbolize people caught up in doctrinal falsities (no. 483), tribes the falsities and evils in the church (no. 349), tongues a confession and acceptance of these (no. 483), and nations people caught up in evil practices (no. 483). Therefore the four together symbolize all those individually and collectively who were or who would be of such a character, thus all those who were in that great city and all those like them who would later come from the world.
The bodies that they would see, those of the two witnesses, symbolize the two essential elements of the New Church, as said in no. 501 above. That they would see them means, symbolically, when they have heard and later hear about them, since it is bodies that are said to be seen, and the two essential elements that are heard.
Three and a half days mean, symbolically, at the end and then the beginning, namely, at the end of the church still existing and the beginning of a new one.
Putting all these things together now into a single meaning, it is apparent that "those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their bodies for three and a half days" has, in the spiritual sense, the symbolic meaning stated above.
Three and a half days mean, symbolically, at the end and then the beginning because a day symbolizes a state, the number three symbolizes something completed to the end, and a half symbolizes a new beginning. For three and half days have the same symbolic meaning as a week, six days of which symbolize something completed to the end, and the seventh day something holy. That is because the number three and a half is one half of seven, and seven days constitute a week; and a number doubled or divided has the same symbolic meaning.
[2] That the number three symbolizes something completed, thus something completed to the end, can be seen from the following accounts in the Word:
That Isaiah was to go naked and barefoot for three years (Isaiah 20:3).
That Jehovah called three times to Samuel, and Samuel ran three times to Eli, and that the third time Eli understood (1 Samuel 3:1-8).
That Elijah stretched himself out three times on the widow's son (1 Kings 17:21).
That Elijah ordered that water be poured on the burnt sacrifice three times (1 Kings 18:34).
That Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal (Matthew 13:33).
That Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:34).
That the Lord asked Peter three times, "Do you love Me?" (John 21:15-17).
That Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17).
That Jesus said He would destroy the Temple and in three days build it (Matthew 26:61, John 2:19)
That Jesus prayed three times in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-44).
That Jesus rose on the third day (Matthew 28:1ff.).
And so on elsewhere, as in Isaiah 16:14; Hosea 6:2; Exodus 3:18; 10:22-23; 19:1, 11, 15-16, 18; Leviticus 19:23-25; Numbers 19:11-22; 31:19-24; Deuteronomy 19:2-4; 26:12; Joshua 1:11; 3:2; 1 Samuel 20:5, 12, 19-20, 35-36, 41; 2 Samuel 24:11-13; Daniel 10:1-3; Mark 12:2, 4-6; Luke 20:12; 13:32-33.
Seven, like three, symbolizes something full and complete, but seven is predicated of holy things, while three is predicated of things not holy.
505. [verse 9] 'And they of peoples and tribes and tongues and nations shall see their bodies three days and a half' signifies when all those who have been and shall be in untruths of doctrine and consequently in evils of life derived from faith alone, until the end of the present Church and the beginning of the New, have heard and are going to hear of these two Essentials, which are the acknowledgment of the Lord and of works in accordance with the Decalogue. By 'peoples and tribes and tongues and nations' are understood all of the Reformed who have been and shall be in untruths of doctrine and consequently in evils of life derived from faith alone. By 'peoples' are signified those who are in untruths of doctrine (483); by 'tribes' untruths and evils of the Church (349); by 'tongues' the confession and reception thereof (483); and by 'nations' those who are in evils of life (483). Consequently by those four are signified all those, collectively and separately, who have been and shall be [such], thus those who have been 'in that great city,' and those who like them are going to come thither out of the world. By 'their bodies,' or the bodies of the two witnesses, are signified the two Essentials of the New Church treated of above (501). By 'shall see' is signified when they have heard and are going to hear of them, since 'to see' is said of the bodies and 'to hear' is said of the two Essentials. By 'three days and a half' is signified to the end and the beginning, that is, to the end of the present Church and the beginning of the New. Resulting from these [significations] now collected into one meaning it is plain that by 'they of peoples and tribes and tongues and nations shall see their bodies three days and a half' the things stated above are signified in the spiritual sense. 'Three days and a half' signify to the end and the beginning, because 'days' signify states, the number 'three' what is complete even to an end, and 'a half' a beginning. For the like is signified by 'three days and a half' as by a week, of which six days signify what is complete even to the end, and the seventh day signifies what is holy; for the number 3 1/2 is half the number 7, which makes a week, and the doubling and dividing of this signify what is similar.
[2] That 'three' signifies what is complete, thus to the end, can be seen by virtue of these [statements] in the Word:
That Isaiah went naked and barefoot three years. Isaiah 20:3.
That Jehovah called Samuel three times, and Samuel ran three times to Eli, and that the third time Eli understood, 1 Samuel 3:1-8.
That Elijah measured himself three times over the widow's son, 1 Kings 17:21.
That Elijah commanded that they should pour water on the burnt-offering three times, 1 Kings 18:34.
That Jesus said that the kingdom of the heavens is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures, until the whole should be leavened. Matthew 13:33.
That Jesus said to Peter that he was going to deny Him three times. Matthew 26:34.
That the Lord asked Peter three times, Lovest thou Me? John 21:15-17.
That Jonah was in the whale's belly three days and three nights, Jonah 1:17 [H.B. Jonah 2:1].
That Jesus said that He would break up the temple, and Himself build it up during three days. Matthew 26:61.
That Jesus in Gethsemane prayed three times. Matthew 26:39-44.
That Jesus rose again the third day. Matthew 28:1; besides many elsewhere, as Isaiah 16:14; Hosea 6:2; Exodus 3:18; 10:22-23; 19:1, 11, 15-16, 18; Leviticus 19:23-25; Numbers 19:11-22; 31:19-24; Deuteronomy 19:2-4; 26:12; Joshua 1:11; 3:2; 1 Samuel 20:5, 12, 19-20, 35-36, 41; 2 Samuel 24:11-13; Daniel 10:1-3; Mark 12:2, 4-6; Luke 20:12; 13:32-33. 'Seven' as well as 'three' signify what is full and complete, but 'seven' are said of things holy, while 'three' of things not holy.
505. Verse 9. And they of the peoples, and tribes, and tongues, and nations, shall see their bodies three days and a half, signifies that when all they who, until the end of the present church and the beginning of the New Church, have been and will be in falsities of doctrine and thence in evils of life from faith alone, have heard and shall hear of these two essentials, which are the acknowledgment of the Lord and of works according to the Decalogue. By "peoples, and tribes, and tongues, and nations," are meant all of the Reformed who have been and will be in falsities of doctrine, and thence in evils of life from faith alone; by "peoples" are signified those who are in falsities of doctrine, (483); by "tribes" falsities and evils of the church, (349); by "tongues," confession and reception thereof, (483); and by "nations" those who are in evils of life, (483). Therefore, by these four are signified all and everyone who have been and who will be such, thus all they who have been "in that great city," and they that are like unto them; who will thenceforth come there out of the world. By "their bodies," or those "of the two witnesses," are signified the two essentials of the New Church above mentioned, (501); by "they shall see" is signified when they have heard and shall hear of them, because "to see" is said of their bodies, and "to hear," of these two essentials; by "three days and a half" is signified to the end and the beginning, that is, to the end of the present church and the beginning of the New. Now from these things collected into one sense, it is evident, that by these words, "They of the peoples, and tribes, and tongues, and nations, shall see their bodies three days and a half," the things above mentioned are signified in the spiritual sense. The reason why "three days and a half" signify to the end and the beginning is because "day" signifies state; the number "three," what is complete to the end; and "a half," the beginning; for the same is signified by "three days and a half" as by "a week," six days of which signify what is complete to the end, and the seventh day signifies what is holy; for the number "3 1/2" is half of the number "7," which makes a week, and a double number, and the divided number of which it consists, have a similar signification.
[2] That "three" signifies what is complete, thus to the end, may be seen from these passages in the Word, that:
Isaiah walked naked and barefoot three years, (Isaiah 20:3).
Jehovah called Samuel three times, and Samuel ran three times to Eli, and the third time Eli understood, (1 Samuel 3:1-8).
Elijah stretched himself three times over the widow's son, (1 Kings 17:21).
Elijah commanded them to pour water upon the burnt-offering three times, (1 Kings 18:34).
Jesus said, The kingdom of the heavens is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures till the whole was leavened, (Matthew 13:33).
Jesus said unto Peter, that be would deny Him three times, (Matthew 26:34).
The Lord asked Peter three times, Lovest thou Me? (John 21:15-17).
Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, (Jonah 1:17).
Jesus said the temple would be destroyed, and He would build it up again in three days, (Matthew 26:61).
Jesus prayed three times in Gethsemane, (Matthew 26:39-44).
Jesus rose again on the third day, (Matthew 28:1). Besides many others; as in Isaiah 16:14; Hosea 6:2; Exodus 3:18; 10:22-23; 19:1, 11, 15-16, 18; Leviticus 19:23-25; Numbers 19:11, to the end; 31:19-25; Deuteronomy 19:2-3; 26:12; Joshua 1:11; 3:2; 1 Samuel 20:5, 12, 19-20, 35-36, 41; 2 Samuel 24:11-13; Daniel 10:1-3; Mark 12:2, 4, 6; Luke 13:32-33; 20:12.
"Seven" as well as "three" signifies what is full and complete; but "seven" is said of things holy, and "three" of things not holy.
505. (Vers. 9.) "Et videbunt ex populis et tribubus et linguis et gentibus corpora illorum dies tres et dimidium," significat cum omnes qui in falsis doctrinae et inde in malis vitae ex sola fide fuerunt et erunt, ad finem Ecclesiae quae adhuc est ad principium Novae, audiverunt et audituri sunt de binis Essentialibus, quae sunt Agnitio Domini et Operum secundum Decalogum. - Per "populos et tribus et linguas et gentes" intelliguntur omnes ex Reformatis qui in falsis doctrinae et inde in malis vitae ex sola fide fuerunt et erunt; per "populos" significantur qui in falsis doctrinae sunt (483), per "tribus" falsa et mala Ecclesiae (349), per "linguas" confessio et receptio illorum (483), et per "gentes" qui in malis vitae (483); inde per quatuor illa, omnes et singuli qui fuerunt et erunt, ita qui fuerunt "in magna illa urbe," et erunt qui e mundo adhuc venturi sunt illis similes. Per "corpora illorum," seu "duorum testium," significantur duo Essentialia Ecclesiae Novae, de quibus supra (501); per "videbunt" significatur dum audiverunt et audituri sunt de illis, quoniam "videre" dicitur de corporibus, et "audire" de binis illis Essentialibus; per "dies tres et dimidium" significatur ad finem et principium, hoc est, ad finem Ecclesiae quae adhuc est, et ad principium Novae. Ex his nunc in unum sensum collatis, patet, quod per "videbunt ex populis et tribubus et linguis et gentibus corpora illorum tres dies et dimidium," in Sensu spirituali supradicta significentur. Quod "dies tres et dimidium" significent ad finem et principium, est quia "dies" significat statum, numerus "tria" completum usque ad finem, ac "dimidium" principium; simile enim per "dies tres et dimidium" significatur quod per "septimanam," cujus sex dies significant completum usque ad finem, et dies septimus significat sanctum; nam numerus "3 1/2," est dimidius numeri "7" qui facit septima nam, ac duplicatum et divisum ex quo, simile significant. Quod "tria" significent completum, ita ad finem, videri potest ex his in Verbo:
Quod "Esajas iret nudus et discalceatus Tres annos," (Esaias 20:3);
Quod Jehovah Ter vocaverit Samuelem, et Samuel Ter cucurrerit ad Eli, et quod Eli Tertia vice intellexerit, (1 Samuelis 3:1-8);
Quod "Elias se mensus sit super filium viduae Tribus vicibus," (1 Regnum 17:21);
Quod Elias jusserit quod funderent aquam super holocaustum Tribus vicibus, (1 Regnum 18:34);
Quod Jesus dixerit, quod "Regnum caelorum sit simile fermento, quod accipiens mulier abscondidit in (farinae) Tribus satis, donec fermentaretur totum," (Matthaeus 13:33);
Quod Jesus dixerit ad Petrum, quod Ter abnegaturus sit Ipsum, (Matthaeus 26:34);
Quod Dominus Ter interrogaverit Petrum, "amasne Me," (Johannes 21:15-17);
Quod "Jonas fuerit in ventre ceti Tribus diebus et Tribus noctibus," (Jonas 2:1 (B.A. 1:17));
Quod Jesus dixerit, quod Templum dissolveret, et Ipse illud per Tres dies aedificaret, (Matthaeus 26:61); 1
Quod Jesus in Gethsemane Tribus vicibus oraverit, (Matthaeus 26:39-44);
Quod Jesus Tertio die resurrexerit, (Matthaeus 28:1(, seq.)).
(Praeter pluries alibi, ut Esaias 16:14; Hoschea 6:2; Exodus 3:18; 10:22-23; 19:1, 11, 15-16, 18; Leviticus 19:23-25; Numeri 19:11 ad fin.; 31:19-25; Deuteronomius 19:2-3; 226:12; Joshua 1:11; 3:2; 1 Samuelis 20:5, 12, 19-20, 35-36, 41; 2 Samuelis 24:11-13; Daniel 10:1-3; 3Marcus 12:2, 4-6; Luca 20:12; 413:32-33).
"Septem" aeque ac "tria" significant plenum et completum, at "septem" dicuntur de rebus sanctis, "tria" autem de rebus non sanctis.
Footnotes:
1. 61 pro "31"
2. 19:2, 3 pro "10:2, 3, 4"
3. 1-3 pro "2, 3, 4"
4. 12 pro "12, 19"