546.启12:6.“妇人就逃到旷野”表一开始，教会，也就是新耶路撒冷在少数人当中。“妇人”表示新教会（533节）；“旷野”（或译荒野）表示不再有任何真理的地方。之所以表示一开始，新教会在少数当中，是因为接下来经上说“在那里有神给她预备的地方，使他们在那里养活她一千二百六十天”，这句话表示那时它的状态，即与此同时，规定新教会要在许多人当中，直到它长足身量（547节）。在圣言中，“旷野”表示：（1）被毁的教会，或圣言的一切真理被歪曲的教会，如主降世时犹太人当中的教会。（2）没有真理的教会，因为他们没有圣言，如主的时代正直的外邦人当中的教会。（3）试探的状态，在此状态下，人仿佛没有真理，因为他被引发试探的恶灵包围，那时他们似乎剥夺了他的真理。
（1）“旷野”表示被毁的教会，或圣言的一切真理被歪曲的教会，如主降世时犹太人当中的教会。这一点从以下经文明显看出来：
使大地震动，使列国摇撼，使世界如同荒野的，是这个人吗？（以赛亚书14:16，17）这话论及巴比伦。
荆棘和蒺藜必上到我百姓的地上；宫殿必成为旷野。（以赛亚书32:13，14）
我观看，不料，迦密变为旷野，全地必然荒凉。（耶利米书4:26-27）
“地”是指教会（285节）。
牧人毁坏了我的葡萄园，他们使我美好之地变为荒凉的旷野；破坏者已来到旷野。（耶利米书12:10，12）
葡萄树栽于旷野干旱无水之地。（以西结书19:13）
耶和华的日子将到，在祂前面，地如伊甸园，在祂后面，成了荒凉的旷野。（约珥书2:1，3）
你们要看明耶和华的话；我岂向以色列作旷野呢，或作幽暗之地呢？（耶利米书2:31）
有人声在旷野喊着说，预备耶和华的路，在沙漠修直我们神的道。（以赛亚书40:3）
此外还有其它地方（如以赛亚书33:9；耶利米书3:2；23:10；耶利米哀歌5:9；何西阿书2:2-3；13:15；约珥书3:19；玛拉基书1:3；诗篇107:33-34；马太福音24:26；路加福音13:35）。这也是当今教会的状态（参看566节）。
（2）“旷野”表示没有真理的教会，因为他们没有圣言，如主的时代正直的外邦人当中的教会。这一点从以下经文明显看出来：
等到圣灵从高处浇灌我们，旷野就必成肥田，那时，公平要居在旷野。（以赛亚书32:15，16）
我要把源泉放在谷中，我要使旷野变为水池；我要在旷野种上香柏树、皂荚树和橄榄树。（以赛亚书41:18，19）
祂使旷野变为水池，叫旱地变为水泉。（诗篇107:35，36）；
我必在旷野开道路，在沙漠开江河，好赐给我的百姓、我的选民喝。（以赛亚书43:19，20）
耶和华使她的旷野像伊甸，使她的沙漠像耶和华的园囿；在其中必有欢喜、快乐。（以赛亚书51:3）
旷野当扬声，西拉的居民当歌唱。（以赛亚书42:11）
（3）“旷野”表示试探的状态，在此状态下，人仿佛没有真理，因为他被引发试探的恶灵包围，那时他们似乎剥夺了他的真理。这一点从相关经文明显看出来（如马太福音4:1-3；马可福音1:12-13；路加福音4:1-3；以西结书20:34-37；耶利米书2:2，6-7；何西阿书2:13-16；诗篇107:4-7；申命记1:31，33；8:2-4，15-16；32:10）。
546. Then the woman fled into the wilderness. (12:6) This symbolizes the church, namely, the New Jerusalem, being at first among few.
The woman symbolizes the New Church (no. 533), and the wilderness symbolizes a circumstance in which there are no longer any truths. The church is symbolized as being at first among few because the statement follows, "Where she has a place prepared by God, that they may feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days," which symbolizes the state of that church then, that in the meantime provision may be made for it to exist among more people until it grows to its appointed state (no. 547).
A wilderness in the Word symbolizes:
1. A church devastated, or one in which the Word's truths have all been falsified, as was the case with the Jews at the time of the Lord's advent.
2. A church without truths, because it does not have the Word, as was the case with upright gentiles at the time of the Lord's advent.
3. A state of temptation or trial, in which a person is seemingly without truths, being surrounded by evil spirits who induce the temptation or trial and appear to rob him of his truths.
[2] 1. That a wilderness symbolizes a church devastated, or one in which the Word's truths have all been falsified, as was the case with the Jews at the time of the Lord's advent: This is apparent from the following passages:
Is this the man who shook the earth, who made kingdoms tremble, who made the world as a wilderness...? (Isaiah 14:16-17)
This said in reference to Babylon.
On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers...; ...the palace will be deserted... (Isaiah 32:13-14)
I beheld, and lo, Carmel was a wilderness... "The whole land shall be a wasteland." (Jeremiah 4:26-27)
The land is the church (no. 285).
...shepherds have destroyed My vineyard..., they have made the field of My desire a desolate wilderness... The devastators are coming... in the wilderness. (Jeremiah 12:10, 12)
...(the vine) is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land. (Ezekiel 19:13)
...fire has devoured the habitations of the wilderness. (Joel 1:19-20)
...the day of Jehovah is coming... The land is like the Garden of Eden before it, but after it a desolate wilderness. (Joel 2:1, 3)
...see the word of Jehovah! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of darkness? (Jeremiah 2:31)
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3)
And so on elsewhere, as in Isaiah 33:9; Jeremiah 3:2; 23:10; Lamentations 5:9; Hosea 2:2-3; 13:15; Joel 3:19; Malachi 1:3; Matthew 24:26; Luke 13:35.
That such is the state of the church today may be seen in no. 566 below.
[3] 2. That a wilderness symbolizes a church without truths, because it does not have the Word, as was the case with upright gentiles at the time of the Lord's advent: This is apparent from these passages:
...the Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high, then the wilderness shall become a fertile field...; and judgment will dwell in the wilderness... (Isaiah 32:15-16)
(I will put) fountains in the midst of the valleys, [and turn] the wilderness into a pool of water... I will put in the wilderness the shittim cedar... and the oil tree. (Isaiah 41:18-19)
He will turn a wilderness into a pool of water, and dry land into springs of water. (Psalms 107:35-36)
I will make a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert... to give drink to My people, My chosen. (Isaiah 43:19-20)
...Jehovah... will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; gladness and joy will be found in her... (Isaiah 51:3)
The habitations of the wilderness drip... (Psalms 65:12-13)
Let the wilderness... lift up (its) voice... Let the inhabitants of the rock sing... (Isaiah 43:10-11)
[4] 3. That a wilderness symbolizes a state of temptation or trial, in which a person is seemingly without truths, being surrounded by evil spirits who induce the temptation or trial and appear to rob him of his truths: This is apparent from Matthew 4:1-3, Mark 1:12-13.
546. [verse 6] 'And the woman fled into the wilderness' signifies the Church that is the New Jerusalem at first among a few. By 'the woman' is signified the New Church (533); and by 'the wilderness' is signified where there are no truths any longer. Its being at first among a few is signified because it follows on 'where she has a place made ready by God, that they may nourish her there a thousand two hundred and sixty days,' by which is signified its state then, that meanwhile provision may be made with many until it increases to its full stature (547). By 'a wilderness' in the Word is signified:
(1) A devastated Church, or one in which all the truths of the Word have been falsified, such as there was among the Jews at the time of the Lord's coming.
(2) A Church in which there are no truths because there is no Word, such as existed with the upright Gentiles at the time of the Lord.
(3) A state of temptation in which a man is as it were without truths, because surrounded with evil spirits who induce temptations, and then take truths away from him.
[2] [(1)] That by 'a wilderness' is signified a devastated Church, or one in which all the truths of the Word have been falsified, such as there was among the Jews at the time of the Lord's coming, is plain from these passages:
Is this the man who disturbing the land, shaking the kingdom, has made the region a wilderness? Isaiah 14:16-17.
This [is said] of Babel.
Upon the land of My people the thorn and the brier goes up; the palace shall be a wilderness. Isaiah 32:13-14.
I have seen when, behold, Carmel was a wilderness, the whole land shall be a waste. Jeremiah 4:26-27.
The 'land' is the Church (285).
The shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have reduced the field of my longings to a wilderness of desert; the wasters are coming in the wilderness. Jeremiah 12:10, 12.
A vine has been planted in a wilderness in a dry and thirsty land. Ezekiel 19:13.
The fire has consumed the habitations of the wilderness. Joel 1:19-20.
The day of Jehovah is coming, the land before Him is as the garden of Eden, but after Him a wilderness of waste. Joel 2:1, 3.
See the Word of Jehovah; have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of darkness? Jeremiah 2:31.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of Jehovah, make straight in the desert a paths for our God. Isaiah 40:3; besides elsewhere, as Isaiah 33:9; Jeremiah 3:2; 23:10; Lamentations 5:9; Hosea 2:2-3; 13:15; Joel 3:19 [H.B 4:19]; Malachi 1:[3]; Psalms 107:33-34; Matthew 24:26; Luke 13:35. That such also is the Church at this day may be seen below (566).
[3] (2) That by 'a wilderness' is signified a Church in which there were no truths because there was no Word, as with the upright Gentiles at the time of the Lord, is plain from these passages:
The spirit shall be poured upon us from on high, then the wilderness shall be [turned] into arable land, and judgment shall dwell in the wilderness. Isaiah 32:15-16.
I will set fountains in the midst of the valleys, [and turn] the wilderness into a pool of waters; I will plant in the wilderness the shittim cedar, and the olive tree. Isaiah 41:18-19.
He shall make the wilderness into a pool of waters, and the dry land into springs of waters. Psalms 107:35-36.
I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, for giving drink to My people, My chosen. Isaiah 43:19-20.
Jehovah wilt make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; gladness and joy shall be found therein. Isaiah 51:3.
The habitations of the wilderness drip. Psalms 65:12-13 [H.B. 13-14].
Let the wilderness lift up its voice, let the inhabitants of the rock sing. Isaiah 42:10-11.
[4] (3) That by 'a wilderness' is signified the state of temptation in which a man is as it were without truths, because surrounded with evil spirits who induce the temptation and then take truths away from him, is plain from. Matthew 4:1-3; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-3; Ezekiel 20:34-37; Jeremiah 2:2, 6-7; Hosea 2:13-16; Psalms 107:4-7; Deuteronomy 1:31, 33; 8:2-4, 15-16; 32:10.
546. Verse 6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, signifies the church which is the New Jerusalem, at first among a few. By "the woman" is signified the New Church, (533); and by "a wilderness" is signified where there are no longer any truths. That its being at first among a few is signified, because it follows, "where she hath a place prepared by God, that they should nourish her there a thousand two hundred and sixty days," by which is signified its state at that time, that in the meanwhile it may be provided among many; even until it increases to its appointed state, (547). By "a wilderness," in the Word, is signified: (1) The church devastated, or in which all the truths of the Word are falsified, such as it was among the Jews at the time of the Lord's advent. (2) The church in which there are no truths, because they have not the Word, such as it was among the upright Gentiles in the Lord's time. (3) A state of temptation in which man is, as it were, without truths, because he is surrounded by evil spirits who induce temptations, and then as it were they deprive him of truths.
[2] (1) That by "a wilderness" is signified the church devastated, or in which all the truths of the Word are falsified, such as it was among the Jews in the Lord's time, appears from these passages:
Is this the man that made the earth to quake, that did shake kingdoms, that made the world a wilderness? (Isaiah 14:16-17).
This is concerning Babylon:
Thorns and briers are come up on the land of My people; the palace shall be a wilderness, (Isaiah 32:13-14).
I saw, and lo, Carmel was a wilderness, the whole land shall be waste, (Jeremiah 4:26-27).
"The earth" is the church, (285):
The pastors have destroyed My vineyard, they have made My desirable places a wilderness of solitude; the wasters are come in the wilderness, (Jeremiah 12:10, 12).
A vine is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land, (Ezekiel 19:13).
The fire hath consumed the habitations of the wilderness, (Joel 1:19-20).
The day of Jehovah cometh, the land is as the garden of Eden before Him, but behind Him a waste wilderness, (Joel 2:1, 3).
See ye the word of Jehovah; have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of darkness? (Jeremiah 2:31).
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of Jehovah; make straight in the desert a highway for our God, (Isaiah 40:3; besides other places; as in Isaiah 33:9; Jeremiah 3:2; 23:10; Lamentations 5:9; Hosea 2:2-3; 13:15; Joel 3:19; Malachi 1:3; Psalms 107:33-34; Matthew 24:26; Luke 13:35).
That such also is the state of the church at this day, may be seen below, (566).
[3] (2) That by "a wilderness" is signified the church in which there are no truths, because they have not the Word, as with the upright Gentiles in the Lord's time, appears from these passages:
The spirit shall be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness shall be a fruitful field, then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, (Isaiah 32:15-16).
I will place fountains in the midst of the valleys, and make the wilderness a pool of waters; I will give in the wilderness the cedar, shittim, and the olive tree, (Isaiah 41:18-19).
He shall make the wilderness into a pool of waters and the dry land to springs of water, (Psalms 107:35).
I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen, (Isaiah 43:19-20).
Jehovah will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; gladness and joy shall be found therein, (Isaiah 51:3).
The habitations of the wilderness drop, (Psalms 65:12).
Let the wilderness lift up its voice, let the inhabitants of the rock sing, (Isaiah 42:11).
[4] (3) That by "a wilderness" is signified a state of temptation, in which man is as it were without truths, because surrounded by evil spirits, who induce temptation, and then as it were deprive him of truths, appears from Matthew 4:1-3; Mark 1:12-13;Luke 4:1-3; Ezekiel 20:34-37; Jeremiah 2:2, 6-7; Hosea 2:13-16; Psalms 107:4-7; Deuteronomy 1:31, 33; 8:2-4, 15-16; 32:10.
546. (Vers. 6.) "Et Mulier fugit in desertum," significat Ecclesiam, quae est Nova Hierosolyma, primum inter paucos. - Per "Mulierem" significatur Nova Ecclesia (533); et per "desertum" significatur ubi non vera amplius sunt; quod significetur illa primum inter paucos, est quia sequitur, "Ubi habet locum praeparatum a Deo, ut ibi alant eam diebus mille ducentis sexaginta," per, quae significatur status ejus tunc, ut interea provideatur Inter plures, usque dum crescit ad suum statutum (547). Per "desertum" in Verbo significatur (1.) Ecclesia devastata, seu in qua omnia vera Verbi falsificata sunt, qualis fuit apud Judaeos tempore Adventus Domini; (2.) Ecclesia in qua non sunt vera, quia non Verbum, qualis fuit apud Gentes probas tempore Domini; (3.) Status tentationis, in quo homo est quasi absque veris, quia circumcinctus spiritibus malis, qui inducunt tentationes, et tunc ei quasi auferunt vera.
(1.) Quod per "desertum" significetur Ecclesia devastata, seu in qua omnia vera Verbi falsificata sunt, qualis fuit apud Judaeos tempore Domini, patet ex his locis:
"Num hic vir commovens terram, tremefaciens regna, posuit orbem in Desertum," (Esaias 14:16-17);
haec de Babele.
"Super terra populi Mei spina et sentis ascendit; palatium erit Desertum," (Esaias 32:13-14);
"Vidi cum ecce Carmel Desertum, vastitas erit tota terra," (Jeremias 4:26-27);
"terra" est Ecclesia (285).
"Pastores perdiderunt Vineam Meam, redegerunt agrum desiderii Mei in Desertum solitudinis: in Deserto veniunt vastatores," (Jeremias 12:10, 12);
"Vitis plantata est in Deserto, in terra ariditatis et sitis," (Ezechiel 19:13);
"Ignis comedit habitacula Deserti," (Joel 1:19-20);
"Venit dies Jehovae; sicut hortus Eden terra ante eum, sed post eum Desertum vastitatis," (Joel 2:(1,) 3).
"Vos videte Verbum Jehovae, num Desertum fui Israeli num Terra tenebrarum," (Jeremias 2:31); 1
"Vox clamantis in Deserto, parate viam Jehovae; complanate in Solitudine semitam Deo nostro," (Esaias 40:3).
(Praeter alibi, ut Esaias 33:9; Jeremias 3:2; 23:10; Threni 5:9; 2Hoschea 2:2-3; 13:15; Joel 4:19 (B.A. 3:19); 3Malachias 1:3; Psalm 107:33-34; Matthaeus 24:26; Luca 13:35).
Quod talis etiam sit Ecclesia hodie, videatur infra (566).
2. Quod per "desertum" significetur Ecclesia in qua non vera. quia non Verbum, ut apud Gentes probas tempore Domini, patet ex his locis:
"Effundetur super nos 4Spiritus ex alto, tunc Desertum erit in arvum, et habitabit in Deserto judicium," (Esaias 32:15-16);
"In medio vallium fontes ponam, Desertum in stagnum aquarum; dabo in Deserto cedrum schittim, et arborem olei," (Esaias 41:18-19);
"Ponet Desertum in stagnum aquarum, et terram siccam in exitus aquarum," (Psalm 107:35); 5
"Ponam in Deserto viam; in Solitudine fluvios, ad potandum populum Meum, electum Meum," (Esaias 43:19-20);
"Jehovah ponet Desertum ejus sicut Eden, et Solitudinem ejus sicut hortum Jehovae; laetitia et gaudium invenietur in ea," (Esaias 51:3);
"Stillant habitacula Deserti," (Psalm 65:13 (B.A. Psalm 65:12)); 6
"Extollant 7vocem Desertum, cantent habitatores petrae," (Esaias 42:11). 8
3. Quod per "desertum" significetur status tentationis, quo homo est quasi absque veris, quia circumcinctus spiritibus malis, qui inducunt tentationem, et tunc quasi ei auferunt vera, patet Ex Matthaeus 4:1-3; Marcus 1:12-13; Luca 4:1-3; Ezechiel 20:34-37; 9Jeremias 2:2, 6-7; Hoschea 2:13-16; 10Psalm 107:4-7; Deuteronomius 1:31, 33; 8:2-4, 15-16; 32:10.
Footnotes:
1. Jerem. pro "Joel"
2. 9 pro "1"
3. 19 pro "9"
4. nos pro "vos"
5. 35 pro "35, 36"
6. 13 pro "13, 14"
7. Extollant pro "Extollat"
8. 11 pro "10, 11"
9. Ezech. pro "Esaj."
10. ii. pro "iii."