598.启13:13.“又行大奇事”表见证他们的教导是真理，尽管它们是虚假。“奇事”（signs，又译为兆头，预兆，征兆，记号等）表示见证某些事情是真理，因为过去所行的奇事是用来为真理作见证的。但奇事和神迹停止后，它们的含义仍然存留，这是对真理的见证。但此处“奇事”表示那兽或假先知的见证，以证明他的虚假是真理，因为虚假一旦通过见证被确认，只会看似真理。“奇事”（signs，又译为兆头，预兆，征兆，记号等）表示对某事为真理的见证，这一点从以下经文明显看出来：
在时代的完结，必有假基督和假先知起来，显大征兆和奇事，倘若能行，连选民也就迷惑了。（马太福音24:24；马可福音13:22）
天上必有恐怖的征兆；日月星辰要显出征兆，海与波涛咆哮。（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，使智慧人落后，使他们的知识变为愚拙。（以赛亚书44:25）
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）
他们是魔鬼的灵，行出征兆，聚集他们到那大日的战斗中。（启示录16:14）
那兽被擒拿，那在他面前曾行奇事，迷惑人的假先知，也与他同被擒拿。（启示录19:20）
“征兆”（signs，又译为奇事，兆头，预兆，记号等）表示对某事为真理的见证，这一点从以下经文进一步明显看出来：
门徒对耶稣说，那么你显个什么兆头，让我们信你呢？你到底能做什么呢？（约翰福音6:30-33）
犹太人、文士和法利赛人从主那里寻求个征兆，使他们知道祂是基督。（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）
门徒对耶稣说，你的降临和时代的完结，有什么预兆呢？（马太福音24:3；马可福音13:4）
如果他们不相信你，也没听从第一个征兆的声音，然而他们会相信后一个征兆的声音。（出埃及记4:8）
“征兆的声音”是指见证。
在他们中间显祂兆头的话。（诗篇105:27）
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）
这就是从耶和华给你的一个兆头，看哪，我要使亚哈斯日晷上那向前的日影往后退十度。（以赛亚书38:7，8）
希西家说过，我要登上耶和华的家，有什么兆头呢？（以赛亚书38:22）
这必是给你的一个预兆，我在这地方刑罚你们，使你们知道我的话必要立得住。（耶利米书44:29-30）
耶和华啊，求你向我显出良善的兆头，叫恨我的看见便羞愧。（诗篇86:17）
使他们向你声明将来的事，好叫我们放心；指示将要到来之事的征兆，好叫我们知道你们是神。（以赛亚书41:22，23）
你的敌人在你的节期中间咆哮，他们已立了兆头作记号。（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）。“立约的兆头”或“立约的记号”所表相同（创世记9:13；17:11；以西结书20:12，20）。
由此可见，龙的这只兽所行的“大征兆”不是指征兆或兆头，而是指他们的见证，以证明他们的教导是真理；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；事实上，这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，被否认的真理便丧失它的光；而且，虚假越是从确认之光（这是一种昏昧之光）闪耀，真理之光就越变得暗淡（参看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"