737. “那七头就是七座山，就是女人所坐的地方，又是七位王（｛17:10）”表天主教建立于其上的圣言神性良善与神性真理早晚被摧毁，最终遭到亵渎。“朱红色的兽”表示圣言，故他的“头”表示其中的爱之良善和智之真理，因此，此处描述了“巴比伦”所表示的那些人当中这二者方面的圣言的性质，“山”表示那里的爱之神性良善，“王”表示那里的神性真理。“山”表示爱之良善（参看336，339，714a节）；“王”表示智之真理（20，664，704节），“头”在论及主时，表示其神性智慧的神性之爱，以及其神性之爱的神性智慧（47，538，568节）；“七”表示全部和完全，并论及神圣事物（10，391，657节）；“女人”表示天主教（723节）。因此，“那七头就是女人所坐的七座山”表示天主教建立于其上的圣言神性良善和神性真理。原因在于，整部圣言已被这个宗教亵渎和玷污了（717，719-721，723，728-730节）。
之所以说它早晚被亵渎，是因为一开始，圣言对他们来说是神圣的；但是，他们发现，他们可以利用教会的神圣事物来掌权，于是便逐渐远离圣言，承认他们自己的法令、戒律、典章具有同等地位，事实上更优越、神圣，最终将主的所有权柄据为己有，丝毫不留。当他们视圣言为神圣时，正是由于他们的最初状态，表示巴别或巴比伦的路西弗（717节）被称为“早晨之子”；正是由于他们后来的状态，他才“被抛下阴间”（以赛亚书14:15）。但有关该主题的详细内容，可参看《圣治》（257节）。那女人所坐的“七座山”似乎是指罗马，因为罗马建在七座山上，并由此命名（罗马城是以七座山丘的村落为基点发展而来的，因此罗马有“七丘之城”之称）。尽管是指罗马，因为天主教的宝座和裁判所就在那里，但“七座山”在此却表示被亵渎的圣言、因而教会的神性良善；因为数字“七”无非表示神圣事物，在此表示被亵渎的事物，如这个数字在别处所表示的；如那里提到:
神宝座前的七灵。（启示录1:4）
宝座前的七盏火灯。（启示录4:5）
封书卷的七印。（启示录5:1）
羔羊的七角七眼。（启示录5:6）
七位天使拿着七枝号。（启示录8:2）
此处朱红色的兽有“七头”，“七头就是七座山”，以及“七王”也一样。
737. 17:10 "The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings." This symbolizes the Divine goods and truths in the Word on which the Roman Catholic religion was founded, in time destroyed and finally profaned.
Since the scarlet beast symbolizes the Word, and therefore its heads symbolize the goods of love and truths of wisdom in it, it follows that Word is here described such as it is in these two respects in people meant by Babylon - mountains symbolizing the Divine goodness of love in it, and kings the Divine truth in it. That mountains symbolize goods of love may be seen in nos. 336, 339, 713[1]; that kings symbolize truths of wisdom, in nos. 20, 664, 704. A head in reference to the Lord symbolizes the Divine love of the Lord's Divine wisdom and the Divine wisdom of His Divine love (nos. 47, 538, 568). The number seven symbolizes all and completeness, and is predicated of holy things (nos. 10, 391, 657). And the woman symbolizes the Roman Catholic religion (no. 723).
So, then, the seven heads being seven mountains, on which the woman sits, symbolizes the Divine goods and truths in the Word on which the Roman Catholic religion was founded. That is because the whole Word has been profaned and adulterated by that religion, as said in nos. 717, 719-721, 723, 728-730 above.
[2] We say in time profaned, since to begin with they regarded the Word as holy; but as they saw they could use the sanctities of the church to gain dominion, they turned away from the Word and regarded their own edicts, commandments and rules as having equal, but really greater, holiness. And at last they transferred all of the Lord's authority to themselves, leaving nothing behind.
It is because of their first state, when they regarded the Word as holy, that Lucifer, meaning Babel (no. 717), is called the son of the morning, and because of their later state that he was brought down to hell (Isaiah 14). But on this subject more may be seen in Angelic Wisdom Regarding Divine Providence 257.
It may seem as though the seven mountains on which the woman sits means Rome, because Rome was built on seven mountains, for which it is also famous. But although Rome is meant, since the papal Throne and Curia of the Roman Catholic religion is located there, still the seven mountains here nevertheless symbolize the Divine goods in the Word and so in the church profaned, for the number seven adds only that something is holy, here that something has been profaned, as is the case with the same number elsewhere. So we find reported seven spirits before the throne of God (Revelation 1:4); seven lampstands with the Son of Man in their midst (Revelation 1:13; 2:1); seven stars (Revelation 2:1; 3:1). So, too, the scarlet beast here had seven heads, and the seven heads were seven mountains and also seven kings.
737. 'The seven heads are seven mountains, where the woman is sitting upon them, [verse 10] and they are seven kings' signifies the Divine Goods and Divine Truths of the Word, upon which the Roman Catholic form of religion has been founded, in time destroyed and finally profaned. Since the Word is signified by 'the scarlet beast,' and therefore by its 'heads' are signified the goods of love and truths of wisdom there, therefore what the Word is like as to these two with those who are understood by 'Babylon' is here described, the Divine Good of love there by the 'mountains,' and the Divine Truth there by the 'kings.' That by 'mountains are signified goods of love, may be seen (336, 339, 714a); and that by 'kings' are signified truths of wisdom (20, 664, 704); and that by 'the head,' when concerning the Lord, is signified His Divine Love of Divine Wisdom and Divine Wisdom of Divine Love (47, 538, 568); and that by 'the seven' are signified all and what is complete, and that this is said of holy things (10, 391, 657); and that by 'the woman' is signified the Roman Catholic form of religion (723). Now therefore by 'the seven heads are seven mountains, where the woman is sitting upon them' are signified the Divine Goods and Divine Truths of the Word upon which the Roman Catholic form of religion has been founded. This is because the whole Word has been profaned and adulterated by that form of religion, of which above (717, 719-721, 723, 728-730).
[2] 'In time profaned' is said since in the beginning the Word was holy to them; but as they saw themselves able to dominate by means of the holy things of the Church they departed from the Word and acknowledged their own edicts, precepts and statutes as of equal, but in reality of superior, holiness. And at length they transferred all the Lord's authority to themselves, not leaving anything. It is on account of their first state, when they held the Word holy, that Lucifer (by whom is understood Babel, 717) was termed 'son of the dawn'; but on account of the later state that he was 'sent down into hell' (Isaiah 14). Concerning this, however, more may be seen in ANGELIC WISDOM CONCERNING DIVINE PROVIDENCE 257. It may seem that by the 'seven mountains where the woman is sitting' Rome is understood, because it is built upon seven mountains, being indeed renowned on account of them. Although it may be Rome that is understood, since the throne and tribunal of that form of religion is there, nevertheless by 'the seven mountains' here are signified the profaned Divine Goods of the Word and of the Church therefrom, for the number seven adds nothing else but what is holy, here what has been profaned, as the same number does elsewhere, as where are mentioned:
The seven spirits before the throne of God. Revelation 1:4.
The seven candlesticks, in the midst of which was the Son of Man, Revelation 1:13.
The seven stars. Revelation 2:1; 3:1.
The seven lamps of fire before the throne. Revelation 4:5.
The seven seals with which the book was sealed. Revelation 5:1.
The seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb. Revelation 5:6.
The seven angels with seven trumpets. Revelation 8:2.
The seven thunders. Revelation 10:3-4.
The seven angels having seven plagues in phials. Revelation 15:1, 6-7.
Similarly here, that the scarlet beast had 'seven heads,' and that the seven heads were 'seven mountains' and also were 'seven kings.
737. The seven heads are seven mountains where the woman sitteth upon them (verse 10), and they are seven kings, signifies the Divine goods and Divine truths of the Word, upon which the Roman Catholic religious persuasion is founded, destroyed in time, and at length profaned. Since the Word is signified by "the scarlet beast," and therefore the goods of love and the truths of wisdom therein are signified by his "heads," on this account the quality of the Word as to these two with those that are meant by "Babylon," is here described, the Divine good of love there by "mountains," and the Divine truth there by "kings." That the goods of love are signified by "mountains," may be seen, (336[1-4], 339, 714); and that the truths of wisdom are signified by "kings" (20, 664, 704), and that by "the head," when the Lord is spoken of, the Divine love of His Divine wisdom and the Divine wisdom of His Divine love are signified, (47, 538, 568); and that by "seven" is signified all and complete; and that it is said of holy things, (10, 391, 657); and that by "the woman" is signified the Roman Catholic religious persuasion, (723). Hence now by "the seven heads are seven mountains where the woman sitteth upon them," are signified the Divine goods and the Divine truths of the Word, upon which the Roman Catholic religious persuasion is founded. The reason is, that the whole Word is profaned and adulterated by that religious persuasion, see above, (717, 719-721, 723, 728-730).
[2] It is said to have been profaned in time, since in the beginning the Word was holy to them; but as they saw that they could dominate by the holy things of the church, they receded from the Word, and acknowledged their own edicts, precepts, and statutes as of equal, but really of superior holiness; and at length they transferred all the Lord's authority to themselves, not leaving anything. It is from their first state, when they held the Word holy, that Lucifer, by whom is meant Babel, (717), was called "Son of the morning;" but it is on account of their later state, that "he was let down into hell" (Isaiah 14:5). But more may be seen on this subject in the Angelic Wisdom concerning the Divine Providence, (257). It may seem as if by "the seven mountains where the woman sitteth" is meant Rome; because that is built upon seven mountains, from which also it is named. But although Rome is meant, since the throne and tribunal of that religious persuasion is there, nevertheless by "the seven mountains" the Divine goods of the Word, and thence of the church, profaned, are here signified; for the number seven adds nothing else but what is holy, here what is profaned, as the same number does elsewhere; as where are mentioned:
Seven spirits before the throne of God, (Revelation 1:4).
Seven candlesticks, in the midst of which was the Son of man, (Revelation 1:13; 2:1).
Seven stars, (Revelation 2:1; 3:1).
Seven lamps of fire before the throne, (Revelation 4:5).
Seven seals, with which the book was sealed, (Revelation 5:1).
Seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb, (Revelation 6:6).
Seven angels with seven trumpets, (Revelation 8:2).
Seven thunders, (Revelation 10:3-4).
Seven angels having seven plagues in vials, (Revelation 15:1, 6-7).
In like manner here that the scarlet beast had "seven heads;" and that "the seven heads were seven mountains," and likewise were "seven kings."
737. "Septem Capita Montes sunt septem, ubi Mulier sedet super illis," (Vers. 10.) "et Reges septem sunt," significat Divina Bona et Divina Vera Verbi, super quibus Religiosum Catholico Romanum fundatum est, tempore destructa et tandem prophanata. -Quoniam per "Bestiam coccineam" significatur Verbum, et ideo per "Capita" ejus significantur bona amoris et vera sapientiae ibi, quare Verbum, quale est quoad illa duo apud illos qui per "Babylonem" intelliguntur, hic describitur, Divinum Bonum amoris ibi per "Montes," et Divinum Verum ibi per "Reges." Quod per "Montes" significentur bona amoris, videatur (336, 339, 714(a)); et quod per "Reges" significentur vera sapientiae (20, 664, 704); 1et quod per "Caput," dum de Domino, significetur Divinus Amor Divinae Sapientiae ac Divina Sapientia Divini Amoris Ipsius (47, 538, 568); 2et quod per "septem" significetur omne et completum, et quod dicantur de rebus sanctis (10, 391, 657);, et quod per "Mulierem" significetur Religiosum Catholico Romanum (723); inde nunc per "septem Capita Montes sunt septem, ubi Mulier sedet super illis," significantur Divina Bona et Divina Vera Verbi, super quibus Religiosum Catholico Romanum fundatum est; causa est, quia ab illo Religioso totum Verbum prophanatum et adulteratum est, de quo supra (717, 719-721, 723, 728-730). Dicitur tempore prophanatum, quoniam principio fuit Verbum illis sanctum: sed sicut viderunt se potuisse dominari per sancta Ecclesiae, a Verbo recesserunt, ac pro sancto aequali, at realiter superiori, agnoverunt propria Edicta, Praecepta et Statuta; et tandem omnem potestatem Domini in se transtulerunt, non relinquendo aliquid. Ex statu illorum primo, quando sanctum habuerunt Verbum, est quod Lucifer, per quem intelligitur Babel (717), dictus sit "filius aurorae," at ex statu posteriori, quod "demissus sit in Infernum," (Esajas 14); sed de hoc videantur plura in Sapientia Angelica de Divina Providentia 257. Videri potest, sicut per "Montes septem, ubi Mulier sedet," intelligatur Roma, quia illa super septem montibus est aedificata, a quibus etiam nomen habet; sed sit quod Roma intelligatur, quoniam ibi est Thronus et Tribunal illius Religiosi, usque tamen per "Montes septem" hic significantur Divina Bona Verbi et inde Ecclesiae, prophanata; nam numerus septem non aliud quam sanctum, hic quod prophanatum est, adjicit, sicut idem numerus alibi; ut quod dicantur Septem Spiritus coram Throno Dei, (Apocalypsis 1:4);
Septem Candelabra, in quorum medio Filius Hominis, (Apocalypsis 1:13; 2:1);
Septem stellae, (Apocalypsis 2:1; 3:1);
Septem lampades ignis coram Throno, (Apocalypsis 4:5);
Septem sigilla, quibus Liber obsignatus est, (Apocalypsis 5:1); Septem cornua et septem oculi Agni, (Apocalypsis 5:6); 3
Septem Angeli cum septem tubis, (Apocalypsis 8:2);
Septem tonitrua, (Apocalypsis 10:3-4);
Septem Angeli habentes septem plagas in phialis, (Apocalypsis 15:1, 6-7).
Similiter hic quod Bestia coccinea haberet "septem Capita," et quod "septem Capita essent septem Montes," et quoque essent "septem Reges."
Footnotes:
1. 704 pro "604"
2. 568 pro "565"
3. v. pro "iv."