749.启17:17.“因为神将遵行祂旨意、行一样的旨意、把他们的国给那兽放在他们心里”表他们来自主的判断，他们当完全拒绝天主教并视之为可诅咒的，要在他们自己当中将它摧毁并根除；以及一致判断，他们当承认圣言，将教会建立在圣言上。由于“淫妇”表示天主教，“恨这淫妇的十角”表示新教，如前所述（746-748节）；故明显可知，“遵行祂的旨意”表示他们已经判断并断定，他们当完全拒绝天主教，并视之为可诅咒的，要在他们自己当中将它摧毁并根除，如前所述（748节）。还明显可知，“行一样的旨意、把国给那兽”表示一致判断并断定，他们当承认圣言，将教会建立在圣言上。“兽”表示圣言，如前面各处所述（723节）；“国”表示教会，以及对教会的管理，如下文所示。“神放在他们心里”表示他们的判断来自主。
“国”表示教会，这一点从以下经文明显看出来：
惟有本国的子民竟被赶到外边黑暗里去。（马太福音8:12）
种就是天国之子。（马太福音13:38）
凡听见天国之道不留意的。（马太福音13:19）
这国必从你们夺去，赐给那能结果子的民族。（马太福音21:43）
手扶着犁向后看的，不配进神的国。（路加福音9:62）
愿你的国降临，愿你的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。（马太福音6；10）
耶稣、施洗约翰和门徒传扬：
神的国近了。（马太福音3:2；4:17；10:7；路加福音10:11；16:16）
还传扬：
天国的福音。（马太福音4:23；9:35；24:14；路加福音8:1）
我若靠着神的手指赶鬼，就不用怀疑神的国临到你们了。（路加福音11:20）
此外还有许多其它地方论及“神的国”。这些经文中的也一样：
你们若实在听从我的声音，遵守我的约，你们要归我作祭司的国度。（出埃及记19:5，6）
你这羊群的高塔，锡安女子的山冈哪，从前的国，就是耶路撒冷女子的国，必归与你。（弥迦书4:8）
以后圣徒必要得国，并坚固这国，世世无穷。（但以理书7:18，22）
国度、权柄和全天下诸国的大权必赐给圣民；祂的国是永远的国，一切掌权的都必敬拜、顺从祂。（但以理书7:27）
必不败坏的国必赐给人子；各人民，各民族，各方言都敬拜祂。（但以理书7:14）
此外还有其它地方。“国”之所以表示教会，是因为主的国既有天上，也在地上；祂在地上的国就是教会；存在于天上和地上，他在地上的王国是教会；这就是为何主被称为“万王之王”。主因此也被称为“万王之王”。
749. 17:17 "For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose, and to be of one mind and give their kingdom to the beast." This symbolizes a judgment among Protestants from the Lord that they should utterly repudiate and renounce the Roman Catholic religion and expunge and eradicate it in themselves, and a unanimous judgment that they should acknowledge the Word and found the church on it.
Since the harlot symbolizes the Roman Catholic religion, and the ten horns that will hate the harlot symbolize Protestants, as in nos. 746-748 above, it is apparent that carrying out God's purpose means symbolically that they judged and concluded that they should utterly repudiated and renounce the Roman Catholic religion and expunge and eradicate it in themselves, as in no. 748 above. And it is apparent as well that to be of one mind and give their kingdom to the beast means, symbolically, to unanimously judge and conclude that they should acknowledge the Word and found the church on it. The beast symbolizes the Word, as it has everywhere before (see no. 723), and their kingdom symbolizes the church and government over it, about which we will say more here below. That God put it into their hearts means symbolically that their judgments came from the Lord.
[2] That a kingdom symbolizes the church can be seen from the following passages:
The children of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. (Matthew 8:12)
...the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom... (Matthew 13:38)
Someone who hears the Word of the kingdom, and does not heed it... (Matthew 13:19)
...the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. (Matthew 21:43)
No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
Jesus, John the Baptist, and the disciples preached that the kingdom of God was at hand (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7, Luke 10:11; 16:16), and they preached also the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 24:14, Luke 8:1).
If I cast out demons by the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come to you. (Luke 11:20)
And so on in many other passages where the kingdom of God is mentioned.
So, too, in the following:
...if you will... obey My voice and keep My covenant... you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests... (Exodus 19:5-6)
You, O tower of the flock, the ascent of the daughter of Zion, to you shall return... the former kingdom..., the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. (Micah 4:8)
The saints... shall (afterward) receive the kingdom, and establish the kingdom..., even forever... (Daniel 7:18, cf. 7:22)
The kingdom and dominion, and the majesty of the kingdoms under all the heavens, shall be given to the people of the saints...(whose) kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall worship and obey Him. (Daniel 7:27)
To (the Son of Man) was given... a kingdom (which shall not be destroyed), and all peoples, nations, and languages shall worship Him. (Daniel 7:14)
And so on elsewhere.
A kingdom symbolizes the church because the Lord's kingdom exists in heaven and on earth, and His kingdom on earth is the church. That, too, is why the Lord is called King of kings.
749. [verse 17] 'Forasmuch as God has put in their heart to do His purpose, and to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast' signifies the judgment with them from the Lord, that they should altogether repudiate and execrate the Roman Catholic form of religion, and should blot it out and uproot it among themselves, and the unanimous judgment that they should acknowledge the Word and found the Church upon it. Since by 'the harlot 'is signified the Roman Catholic form of religion, and by 'the ten horns that shall hate the harlot' the Protestants are signified, as above (746-748), it is plain that by 'to do His purpose' is signified that they have judged and concluded that that form of religion should be repudiated and execrated, and should be blotted out and uprooted with themselves, as above (748). And it is also plain that by 'to be of one mind and to give the kingdom to the beast' is signified to judge and conclude unanimously that they should acknowledge the Word and found the Church upon it. By 'the beast' everywhere above is signified the Word, as may be seen (723); and by 'the kingdom' is signified the Church, and the government over it, about which [there is something] here below. By 'God has put in their heart' is signified that those things are from the Lord.
[2] That 'the kingdom' signifies the Church can be established from these passages:
The sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness. Matthew 8:12.
The seed are the sons of the kingdom. Matthew 13:38.
He who hears the Word of the kingdom and does not give heed. Matthew 13:19.
The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you and given to a nation producing fruits. Matthew 21:43.
Everyone putting his hand to the plough [and looking back] has not been made fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62.
Let Thy kingdom come, and Thy will be done, as in heaven so on earth. Matthew 6:10.
Jesus, John, and the disciples preached that:
The kingdom of God was at hand. Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; Luke 10:11; 16:16.
Also:
The gospel of the kingdom. Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; Luke 8:1.
If by the finger of God I cast out demons, no doubt the kingdom of God has come to you. Luke 11:20; besides in many other places where 'the kingdom of God' is spoken of. In like manner in these:
If you hear My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, Exodus 19:5-6.
Thou, O tower of the flock, O hill of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall the former kingdom return, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. Micah 4:8.
Afterwards the saints shall receive the kingdom, and shall strengthen the kingdom even for ages of ages. Daniel 7:18, 22.
The kingdom and the dominion and the majesty of the kingdoms under all the heavens shall be given to the people of the saints [of the Most High], Whose kingdom is an eternal kingdom and all dominions shall worship Him, and be obedient. Daniel 7:27.
To the Son of Man was given a kingdom that shall not perish, and all peoples, nations, and tongues shall worship Him. Daniel 7:14; besides elsewhere. The reason that the Church is signified by 'the kingdom' is because the Lord's kingdom is in heaven and on earth, and His kingdom on earth is the Church. In consequence also the Lord is called 'King of kings.
749. Verse 17. For God hath given into their hearts to do His mind, and to do one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, signifies judgment with them from the Lord, that they should altogether repudiate and hold accursed the Roman Catholic religious persuasion, and should destroy and root it out with themselves; and the unanimous judgment, that they should acknowledge the Word, and found the church upon it. Since the Roman Catholic religious persuasion is signified by "the harlot," and the Protestants are signified by "the ten horns that shall hate the harlot," as above, (746-748); it is manifest that by "doing His mind" is signified that they have judged and concluded that they should altogether repudiate that religious persuasion and hold it accursed, and should destroy and root it out with themselves, as above, (748). And it is also manifest, that by "doing one mind and giving the kingdom to the beast," is signified to judge and conclude unanimously, that they should acknowledge the Word, and found the church upon it. By "the beast" is signified the Word, as everywhere above (see 723); and by "kingdom" the church is signified, and the government over it, as is shown just below. By "God gave into their hearts" is signified that they are from the Lord.
[2] That "kingdom" signifies the church may be evident from these passages:
The sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness, (Matthew 8:12).
The seed is the sons of the kingdom, (Matthew 13:38).
He that heareth the Word of the kingdom, and attendeth not, (Matthew 13:19).
The kingdom shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bearing fruits, (Matthew 21:43).
Everyone that putteth his hand to the plough, and looking back, 1is not fit for the kingdom of God, (Luke 9:62).
Thy kingdom come, and Thy will be done, as in heaven so on the earth, (Matthew 6:10).
Jesus, John, and the disciples preached that:
The kingdom of God was at hand, (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; Luke 10:11; 16:16).
Also the Gospel of the kingdom, (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; Luke 8:1).
If I by the finger of God cast out demons, no doubt the kingdom of God is come unto you, (Luke 11:20).
Besides many other places where the kingdom of God is spoken of. In like manner in these:
If ye shall hear My voice and keep My covenant, ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, (Exodus 19:5-6).
Thou, O tower of the flock, O hill of the daughter of Zion, to thee shall the former kingdom return, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem, (Micah 4:8).
Afterwards the saints shall receive the kingdom, and shall strengthen the kingdom even for ages of ages, (Daniel 7:18, 22).
The kingdom and dominion and the majesty of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints; whose kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and all dominions shall worship and obey Him, (Daniel 7:27).
Unto the Son of man was given a kingdom which shall not perish; and all peoples, nations, and tongues shall worship Him, (Daniel 7:14). Besides other places.
The church is signified by "a kingdom," because the Lord's kingdom is in heaven and on earth; and His kingdom on the earth is the church; hence also the Lord is called "King of kings."
Footnotes:
1. The original Latin omits "looking back."
749. (Vers. 17.) "Quoniam Deus dedit in corda illorum facere sententiam ejus, et facere unam sententiam, et dare regnum suum Bestiae," significat judicium apud illos a Domino, quod Religiosum Catholico Romanum prorsus repudiarent et devoverent, et apud se delerent et exstirparent, ac judicium unanimum quod Verbum agnoscerent, et super illo Ecclesiam fundarent. - Quoniam per "Meretricem" significatur Religiosum Catholico Romanum, et per "decem cornua qui odio habebunt Meretricem" significantur Protestantes, ut supra (746-748), patet quod per "facere sententiam ejus" significetur quod judicaverint et concluserint quod Religiosum illud prorsus repudiarent, et devoverent, et apud se delerent et exstirparent, ut supra (748); et quoque patet, quod per "facere unam sententiam, et dare regnum Bestiae" significetur unanimiter judicare et concludere quod Verbum agnoscerent, et Ecclesiam super illo fundarent; per "Bestiam" significatur Verbum, ut supra ubivis (videatur 723), et per "regnum" significatur Ecclesia, et regimen super illa, de quo hic infra; per quod "Deus dederit in corda illorum" significatur quod illa a Domino sint. Quod "regnum" significet Ecclesiam, constare potest ex his locis:
"Filii Regni ejicientur in tenebras exteriores," (Matthaeus 8:12);
"Semen sunt filii Regni," (Matthaeus 13:38)
"Qui audit Verbum Regni, et non attendit," (Matthaeus 13:19);
"Auferetur a vobis Regnum Dei, et dabitur genti facienti fructus," (Matthaeus 21:43);
"Omnis injiciens manum in aratrum, (et videns retrorsum,) non dispositus est ad Regnum Dei," (Luca 9:62); 1
"Adveniat Regnum Tuum et fiat voluntas Tua, sicut in Caelo ita in Terra," (Matthaeus 6:10);
Jesus, Johannes, et Discipuli praedicaverunt, quod "Appropinquaret Regnum Dei," (Matthaeus 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; Luca 10:11; 16:16);
Tum "Evangelium Regni," (Matthaeus 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; Luca 8:1);
"Si per digitum Dei ejicio daemonia, utique pervenit ad vos Regnum Dei," (Luca 11:20).
(Praeter multis aliis in locis, ubi "Regnum Dei" dicitur.)
Similiter in his:
"Si audiveritis vocem Meam, et custodiveritis foedus Meum, eritis Mihi Regnum sacerdotum," (Exodus 19:5-6);
"Tu turris gregis, clive filiae Zionis, ad te redibit Regnum prius, Regnum filiae Hierosolymae," (Micham 4:8);
"Postea accipient Regnum Sancti, et confirmabunt Regnum usque in saecula saeculorum," (Daniel 7:18, 22); 2
"Regnum et dominium et majestas Regnorum sub omnibus Caelis dabitur populo sanctorum, cujus Regnum Regnum aeternum, et omnia Dominia colent Ipsum et obedient," (Daniel 7:27);
Filio Hominis "datum est Regnum quod non peribit; et omnes populi, gentes et linguae Ipsum colent," (Daniel 7:14).
(Praeter alibi.)
Quod per "regnum" significetur Ecclesia, est quia Regnum Domini est in Caelo et in Terra, et Regnum Ipsius in Terra est Ecclesia: inde etiam Dominus vocatur "Rex regum."
Footnotes:
1. 62 pro "22"
2. 18 pro "13"