704.“施行奇事，出去到大地和全世界的众王那里，叫他们在神全能者的大日聚集争战”表证明他们的虚假是真理，激动整个教会中所有陷入这些虚假之人攻击新教会的真理。“施行奇事”就是作证并证明某事是真的（参看598，599节），在此表示证明他们的虚假是真理。“大地和全世界的众王”表示那些主要陷入源自邪恶的虚假之人，在此表示整个教会中所有陷入这些虚假的人；因为“众王”表示那些处于源自良善的真理之人，反面意义上表示那些陷入源自邪恶的虚假之人（483节）。“地”表示教会（285节）；“世界”同样表示教会（551节）。“叫他们聚集争战”表示煽动他们去战斗或攻击；“争战”表示属灵的战争，也就是虚假反对真理、真理反对虚假的争战（500，586节）。这句话之所以表示攻击新教会的真理，是因为经上称这是“神全能者的大日”，这个日子表示主的到来和那时的新教会；很快会看到，这就是“大日”的含义。经上说“鬼魔的灵”要这样做，是因为他们表示对歪曲真理和出于虚假推理的欲望（703节）。从这些事明显可知，“鬼魔的灵施行奇事，出去到大地和全世界的众王那里，叫他们在神全能者的大日聚集争战”表示“龙”、“兽”和“假先知”（如前所述，701，702节）所表示的那些人证明他们的虚假是真理，激动整个教会中所有陷入这些虚假之人攻击新教会的真理。
“神全能者的大日”表示主的到来和那时的新教会，这一点从以下圣言经文明显看出来：
到那日，惟独耶和华被尊崇。（以赛亚书2:11）
到那日，以色列要诚实倚靠耶和华，以色列的圣者。（以赛亚书10:20）
到那日，列族要寻求耶西的根，祂的安息必大有荣耀。（以赛亚书11:10）
到那日，他们必说，看哪，这是我们的神；我们素来等候祂；祂必拯救我们。（以赛亚书25:9）
我的百姓必知道我的名，到那日，他们必知道说这话的就是我，看哪，是我。（以赛亚书52:6）
哀哉，耶和华的大日，无日可比。（耶利米书30:7）
看哪，日子将到，我要另立新约，耶和华的城必建造。（耶利米书31:27，31，38）
当那日子，我必使大卫公义的苗裔长起来。（耶利米书33:15）
使他们当耶和华的日子在阵上站立得住。（以西结书13:5）
当那日，大君米迦勒必起来，站在他本国子民面前。当那日，凡发现记在册上的，必得拯救。（但以理书12:1）
那日，你必称呼我伊施（就是我丈夫的意思）。当那日，我必与他们立约。那日，我必垂听。（何西阿书2:16，18，21）
看哪，耶和华的大日未到以前，我必差遣以利亚。（玛拉基书4:5）
当那日，耶和华如群羊拯救祂的百姓。（撒迦利亚书9:16）；
那日，耶和华必保护耶路撒冷的居民。（撒迦利亚书12:8）
看哪，耶和华的日子到来。那日，必是耶和华所知道的。那日，耶和华必为独一无二的，祂的名也是独一无二的。那日，必有大扰乱。当那日，马的铃铛上必有归耶和华为圣的这句。（撒迦利亚书14:1，4，6-9，13，20-21）
此外还有很多地方提到“耶和华的日子”，表示主的到来，和那时来自祂的新教会（如以赛亚书4:2；19:16，18，21，24；20:6；22:20；25:9；28:5；29:18；30:25-26；31:7；耶利米书3:16-18；23:5-7，12，20；50:4，20，27；以西结书24:26，27；29:21；34:11-12；36:33；何西阿书3:5；6:1，2；约珥书2:29；3:1，14，18；俄巴底亚书18: 15；阿摩司书9:11，13；弥迦书4:6；哈巴谷书3:2；西番雅书3:11，16，19，20；撒迦利亚书2:11；诗篇72:7，8）。那日还被称为“耶和华的日子”（约珥书1:15；2:1-2，11；阿摩司书5:13，18，20；西番雅书1:7，14；2:2-3；撒迦利亚书14:1等）。由于时代的末了（经上译为世界的末了），也就是教会的终结，在主的到来和新教会的开始之时发生，所以在许多经文中，“耶和会的日子”也表示前教会的终结，经上说那时将有谣言、扰乱和战争，这些经文在《新耶路撒冷教义之主篇》（4-5节）中被引用。
704. That perform signs to go away to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. This symbolizes assertions that their falsities are true, and efforts to stir up all those throughout the church who are caught up in the same falsities to attack the truths of the New Church.
To perform signs is to testify and also to assert that something is true, as may be seen in nos. 598, 599 above, here that their falsities are true. Kings of the earth and of the whole world symbolize people who are caught up primarily in falsities springing from evil, here all who are caught up in the same falsities throughout the church. For kings symbolize people impelled by truths that spring from goodness, and in an opposite sense people impelled by falsities springing from evil (no. 483). The earth symbolizes the church (no. 285), and so likewise does the world (no. 551). To go away to gather them to battle means, symbolically, to stir those people to fight or attack; for war symbolizes a spiritual war, which is one of falsity against truth and of truth against falsity (nos. 500, 586). It is to attack the truths of the New Church because it is called the battle of that great day of God Almighty, and that day symbolizes the Lord's advent and a new church then. That this is the symbolic meaning of the great day there will be seen below.
We are told that the spirits of demons would do this, because the spirits of demons symbolize lusts to falsify truths and to reason on the basis of falsities, as just said in no. 703 above.
It is apparent from this that spirits of demons performing signs to go away to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty, symbolize assertions by the people meant by the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, as described in nos. 701, 702 above, that their falsities are true, and efforts to stir up all those throughout the church who are caught up in the same falsities to attack the truths of the New Church.
[2] That the great day of God Almighty symbolizes the Lord's advent and a new church then, is clear from many passages in the Word, as from the following:
Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day. (Isaiah 2:11)
...in that day... Israel... will depend on Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. (Isaiah 10:20)
In that day a Root of Jesse... shall the Gentiles seek, and His resting place shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10-11)
In that day... eyes will look to the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 17:7, 9)
They will say in that day: "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, to set us free." (Isaiah 25:9)
...My people shall know My name...(and) in that day, I am He who speaks: "Behold, it is I." (Isaiah 52:6)
Alas! ...great is (the day of Jehovah, and) there is none like it. (Jeremiah 30:7)
Behold, the days are coming... when I will make a new covenant... and the city shall be built for Jehovah... (Jeremiah 31:27, 31, 38)
In those days... I will cause to grow up to David a righteous Branch... (Jeremiah 33:15)
(They will not) stand in battle on the day of Jehovah. (Ezekiel 13:5)
In that day Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the children of your people... In that day... shall be delivered everyone who is found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)
...in that day... you will call Me "My Husband."... In that day I will make a covenant for them... ...in that day I will hear... (Hosea 2:16, 18, 21).
Behold, I am sending you Elijah... before the coming of the great... day of Jehovah. (Malachi 4:5)
Jehovah... will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. (Zechariah 9:16)
In that day Jehovah will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:8)
Behold, the day of Jehovah is coming... It shall be one day which is known to Jehovah... In that day Jehovah shall be one and His name one... In that day there shall be a great tumult... In that day "Holiness to the Lord" shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. (Zechariah 14:1, 4, 6-9, 13, 20-21)
There are many other passages in addition to these in which "the day of Jehovah" means the Lord's advent and a new church from Him then, as in the following: Isaiah 4:2; 19:16, 18, 21, 24; 22:20; 28:5; 29:18; 30:25-26; 31:7; and elsewhere.
Since the end of an age or final period of a former church is the time when the Lord's advent takes place and a new church begins, therefore the day of Jehovah in many places symbolizes the end of a previous church, and we are told that then there will be rumors, tumult, and wars. 1See the passages collected in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem Regarding the Lord, nos. 4, 5.
Footnotes:
1. E.g., Matthew 24:6
704. 'Doing signs to go away to the kings of the land and of the whole world to gather them together to the war of that great day of God Omnipotent' signifies protestations that their untruths are true, and the inciting of all in the whole of that Church who are in the same untruths to attack the truths of the New Church. That 'to do signs' is to testify and also to protest that a thing is true may be seen above (598-599), here that their untruths are true. By 'the kings of the land and of the whole world' are signified those who are principally in untruths derived from evil, here all who are in the same untruths in the whole Church; for by 'kings' are signified those who are in truths derived from good, and in the opposite sense those who are in untruths derived from evil (483). The Church is signified by 'the land' (285), likewise by 'the world' (551). By 'to go away to gather them together to the war' is signified to rouse them for the fight, or for attacking; for by 'the war' is signified a spiritual war that is of untruth against truth and of truth against untruth (500, 586). This is for attacking the truths of the New Church, because it is termed 'the great day of God Omnipotent,' and by that 'day' is signified the Lord's coming, and the New Church then. That this is signified there 'by the great day' will be seen below. It is said that 'the spirits of demons' are going to do this because by them are signified the lusts of falsifying truths and of reasoning out of untruths, concerning which [something was said] just above (703). It is plain from these considerations that by 'the spirits of demons doing signs to go away to the kings of the land and of the whole world to gather them together to the war of that great day of God Omnipotent' are signified protestations by those who are understood by 'the dragon, the beast and the false prophet,' of whom above (701-702), that their untruths are true, and all in the whole Church who are in the same untruths being roused up for attacking the truths of the New Church.
[2] That by 'the great day of God Omnipotent' is signified the Lord's coming and the New Church then, is established from many passages in the Word, as from these:
In that day Jehovah Only shall be exalted. Isaiah 2:11.
In that day Israel shall lean upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel in the Truth (veritas). Isaiah 10:20.
In that day the nations shall seek the Root of Jesse, and His rest shall be glory. Isaiah 11:10-11.
In that day shall the eyes look back to the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 17:7, 9.
In that day they shall say, Lo, this is our God, for Whom we have waited that He should save us. Isaiah 25:9.
My people shall recognise My Name, and in that day [that] I am He Who is speaking, behold Me. Isaiah 52:6.
Alas the great day of Jehovah, and there shall not be like it. Jeremiah 30:7.
Behold the coming days; in which I shall make a new covenant, and in which the city of Jehovah shall be built. Jeremiah 31:27, 31, 38.
In those days I will make a just branch to grow up unto David. Jeremiah 33:15.
They shall not stand in the war of the day of Jehovah. Ezekiel 13:5.
In that day shall Michael the great prince rise up, who stands for the sons of thy people. In that day shall everyone who shall be found written in the book be rescued. Daniel 12:1.
In that day thou shalt call Me, my Husband. In that day will I make a covenant with them. In that day I will listen, Hosea 2:16, 18, 21.
Behold I send Elijah before the great day of Jehovah comes, Colossians 4:[5] [H.B 3:23].
In that day Jehovah shall preserve His people as a flock, Zechariah 9:16.
In that day Jehovah shall protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem [ Zechariah 12:8. In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem] Zechariah 13:1.
Behold the day of Jehovah comes. One day that shall be known to Jehovah. In that day there shall be one Jehovah, and His Name one. In that day there shall be a great tumult. In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to Jehovah, Zechariah 14:1, 4, 6-8, 13, 20-21.
Besides these passages there are many others in which by 'the day of Jehovah' the Lord's coming is understood, and the New Church from Him then, as in these: Isaiah 4:2; 19:16, 18, 21, 24; 22:20; 25:9; 28:5; 29:18; 30:25-26; 31:7; Jeremiah 3:16-18; 23:5-7, 12, 20; 14, 20, 27; Ezekiel 24:26-27; 29:21; 34:11-12; 36:33; Hosea 3:5; 6:1-2; Joel 2:29 [H.B. 3:2]; 4:[H.B. 3:] 1, 14, 18; Obadiah 1:15; Amos 9:11, 13; Micah 4:6; Habakkuk 3:2; Zephaniah 3:11, 16, 19-20; Zechariah 2:11; [H.B. 15]; Psalms 72:7-8, And 'that day' is called 'the day of Jehovah' (Joel 1:15; 2:1-2, 11; Amos 5:13, 18, 20; Zephaniah 1:7, 14; 2:2-3; Zechariah 14:1; and elsewhere). Since there is the consummation of the age, that is, the end of the old Church, when there is the Lord's coming and the beginning of the New Church, therefore by the day of Jehovah in very many places is also signified the end of the former Church, and it is said that then [there will be] rumours, tumults and wars. These passages may be seen collected in THE DOCTRINE OF THE NEW JERUSALEM CONCERNING THE LORD 4-5.
704. Doing signs to go away unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them together to the battle of that great day of God Almighty, signifies attestations that their falsities are truths, and the stirring up of all in the whole of that church who are in the same falsities, to impugn the truths of the New Church. That "to do signs" is to testify and also to make attestation that a thing is true, see above, (598, 599), here that their falsities are truths. By "the kings of the earth and of the whole world," are signified they who are principally in falsities from evil, here all who are in the same falsities in the whole church; for by "kings" are signified they who are in truths from good, and, in the opposite sense, they who are in falsities from evil, (483). By "the earth" is signified the church, (285); in like manner, by "the world" (551). By "going away to gather them together to battle," is signified to incite them to combat or to attack; for by "war" is signified spiritual war, which is of falsity against truth, and of truth against falsity, (500, 586).
The reason why it means to attack the truths of the New Church is because it is called "the great day of God Almighty," and by that day the coming of the Lord is signified, and then the New Church; that this is the signification of "the great day" will be seen presently. It is said that "the spirits of demons" would do this, because they signify the cupidities of falsifying truths, and of reasonings from falsities, as above, (703). From these things it is evident, that by "spirits of demons doing signs to go away unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them together to the battle of that great day of God Almighty," are signified attestations by those who are meant by "the dragon," "the beast," and "the false prophet," as above, (701, 702), that their falsities are truths, and the stirring up of all those in the whole church, who are in the same falsities, to attack the truths of the New Church.
[2] That "the great day of God Almighty" signifies the coming of the Lord, and then the New Church, is evident from many passages in the Word, as from these:
In that day Jehovah alone shall be exalted, (Isaiah 2:11).
In that day Israel shall stay upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in truth, (Isaiah 10:20).
In that day shall the nations seek the Root of Jesse, and His rest shall be glory, (Isaiah 11:10).
In that day shall the eyes have respect unto the Holy One of Israel, (Isaiah 17:7, 9).
In that day shall they say, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him; that He should save us, (Isaiah 25:9).
My people shall know My name, and in that day they shall know that I am He that doth speak, behold, it is I, (Isaiah 52:6).
Alas, the great day of Jehovah, and there shall not be like it, (Jeremiah 30:7).
Behold, the days come in which I will make a new covenant, and in which the city of Jehovah shall be built, (Jeremiah 31:27, 31, 38).
In those days I will make a just Branch to grow up unto David, (Jeremiah 33:15).
They shall not stand in the battle of the day of Jehovah, (Ezekiel 13:5).
In that day shall Michael the great prince rise up, who standeth for the sons of his people. In that day shall everyone who is found written in the book be delivered, (Daniel 12:1).
In that day thou shalt call me, My husband. In that day I will make a covenant with them. In that day I will hear, (Hosea 2:16, 18, 21).
Behold, I send Elijah before the great day of Jehovah cometh, (Malachi 4:5).
In that day Jehovah shall save his people as a flock, (Zechariah 9:16).
In that day shall Jehovah protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, (Zechariah 12:8).
Behold, the day of Jehovah cometh. One day which shall be known to Jehovah. In that day there shall be one Jehovah, and His name one. In that day shall there be a great tumult. In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to Jehovah Zechariah 14:(1, 4) 6-9, 13, 20-21).
Besides these places there are many more, in which the Lord's coming and the New Church from Him at that time are meant by "the day of Jehovah;" as in these: Isaiah 4:2; 19:16, 18, 21, 24; 20:6; 22:20; 25:9; 28:5; 29:18; 30:25-26; 31:7; Jeremiah 3:16-18; 23:5-7, 12, 20; 50:4, 20, 27; Ezekiel 24:26-27; 29:21; 34:11-12; 36:33; Hosea 3:5; 6:1-2; Joel 2:29; 3:1, 14, 18; Obadiah 1:15; Amos 9:11, 13; Micah 4:6; Habakkuk 3:2; Zephaniah 3:11, 16, 19-20; Zechariah 2:11; Psalms 72:7-8. And that day is called "the day of Jehovah" (Joel 1:15; 2:1-2, 11; Amos 5:13, 18, 20; Zephaniah 1:7, 14; 2:2-3; Zechariah 14:1 and elsewhere). Since the consummation of the age, that is, the end of the old church, takes place when the coming of the Lord, and the commencement of the New Church exists, therefore by "the day of Jehovah," in many passages, is also signified the end of the former church, and it is said that then there will be rumors, tumults, and wars, which passages are adduced in the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Lord 4, 5.
704. "Facientes Signa ad abeundum ad Reges terrae et totius orbis ad congregandum illos in bellum diei illius magni Dei Omnipotentis" significat contestationes quod falsa eorum sint vera, et excitationes omnium in tota illa Ecclesia, qui in iisdem falsis sunt, ad impugnandum vera Novae Ecclesiae. - Quod "facere signa" sit testificari et quoque contestari quod verum sit, videatur supra (598, 599), hic quod falsa eorum sint vera; per "reges terrae et totius orbis" significantur qui principaliter in falsis ex malo sunt, hic omnes qui in iisdem falsis sunt in tota Ecclesia; per "reges" enim significantur qui in veris ex bono sunt, et in opposito sensu qui in falsis ex malo (483); per "terram" significatur Ecclesia (285) similiter per "orbem (551); per "abire ad congregandum illos in bellum" significatur excitare illos ad pugnam, seu ad impugnandum; per "bellum" enim significatur bellum spirituale, quod est falsi contra verum et veri contra falsum (500, 586); quod sit ad impugnandum vera Novae Ecclesiae, est quia dicitur "diei magni Dei Omnipotentis," et per diem illum significatur Adventus Domini, et tunc Nova Ecclesia; quod hoc per "diem magnum" ibi significetur, infra videbitur. Dicitur quod "spiritus daemonum" id facturi sint, quia per illos significantur cupiditates falsificandi vera, et ratiocinandi ex falsis, de quo mox supra (703). Ex his patet, quod per "spiritus daemonum facientes signa ad abeundum ad reges terrae et totius orbis ad congregandum illos in bellum diei illius magni Dei Omnipotentis," significentur contestationes ab illis qui intelliguntur per "Draconem," "Bestiam" et Pseudoprophetam," de quibus supra (701, 702), quod falsa eorum sint vera, et excitationes omnium in tota Ecclesia qui in iisdem falsis sunt, ad impugnandum vera Novae Ecclesiae. Quod per "diem magnum Dei Omnipotentis" significatur Adventus Domini, et tunc Nova Ecclesia, constat ex multis locis in Verbo, ut ex his:
"In Die illo exaltabitur Jehovah Solus," (Esaias 2:11);
"In Die illo Israel innitetur Jehovae, Sancto Israelis, in Veritate," (Esaias 10:20);
"In Die illo Radicem Jischaji gentes quaerent, et erit quies Ipsi gloria," (Esaias 11:10-11);
"In Die illo respicient oculi ad Sanctum Israelis," (Esaias 17:7, 9);
"In Die illo dicent, Ecce Deus noster Hic, Quem exspectavimus ut liberet nos," (Esaias 25:9);
"Cognoscet populus Meus Nomen Meum, et in Die illo, Ego Ille Qui loquens: ecce Me," (Esaias 52:6);
"Heu Magnus Dies Jehovae, et non erit sicut ille," (Jeremias 30:7; 1
"Ecce Dies venientes, quibus pangam Foedus novum, et quibus aedificabitur Civitas Jehovae," (Jeremias 31:27, 31, 38);
"In Diebus illis germinare faciam Davidi Germen justum," (Jeremias 33:15); 2
"Non stabunt in bello Diei Jehovae," (Ezechiel 13:5);
"In Die illo surget Michael princeps magnus, qui stat pro filiis populi tui. 3In Die illo eripietur omnis qui invenietur scriptus in Libro," (Daniel 12:(1));
"In Die illo vocabis, Marite mi. In Die illo feriam illis foedus. In Die illo exaudiam," (Hoschea 2:16, 18, 21);
"Ecce Ego mitto Eliam antequam venit Dies Jehovae magnus," (Malachias 3:23 (B.A. 4:5));
"In Dic illo servabit Jehovah sicut gregem populum Suum," (Sacharias 9:16);
"In Die illo proteget Jehovah habitatores Hierosolymae," (Sacharias 12:8); 4
"Ecce Dies Jehovae venit. Dies unus qui notus erit Jehovae. In Die illo erit Jehovah unus, et Nomen Ipsius unum. In Die illo erit tumultuatio magna. In Die illo erit super tintinnabulis equorum, Sanctitas Jehovae," (Sacharias 14:1, 4, 6-7, 8, (9,) 13, 20-21).
Praeter haec loca sunt plura alia in quibus per "Diem illum" 5intelligitur Adventus Domini, et tunc Nova Ecclesia ab Ipso (Ut in his: Esaias 4:2; 19:16, 18, 21, 24; 20:6; 622:20; 25:9; 728:5; 29:18; 30:25-26; 31:7; Jeremias 3:16-18; 23:5-7, 12, 20; 50:4, 20, 27; Ezechiel 24:26-27; 29:21; 34:11-12; 36:33; Hoschea 3:5; 6:1-2; Joel 3:2 (B.A. 2:29); 4:1, 14, 18 (B.A. 3:1, 14, 18); Obadias 1:15; Amos 9:11, 13; Micham 4:6; Habakuk 3:2, (16); Zephanias 3:11, 16, 19-20; Sacharias 2:15 (B.A. 11); Psalm 72:7-8);
ac dies ille vocatur "Dies Jehovae"
(Joel 1:15; 2:1-2, 11; Amos 5:13, 18, 20; Zephanias 1:7, 14; 2:2-3; Sacharias 14:1; et alibi).
Quoniam Consummatio saeculi, hoc est, finis Ecclesiae veteris, est quando Adventus Domini et principium Ecclesiae Novae, ideo per "Diem Jehovae" permultis in locis etiam significatur finis prioris Ecclesiae; et dicitur quod tunc rumores, tumultus et bella; quae loca videantur collata in Doctrina Novae Hierosolymae de Domino (4, 5).
Footnotes:
1. 7 pro "37"
2. 15 pro "16"
3. tui pro "sui"
4. 12:8 pro "13:1"
5. Diem illum pro "Diem Jehovae"
6. 19:16, 18, 21, 24; 2:6 pro "20:6, 18, 21, 24"
7. 22:20; 25:9 pro "25:20"