Apocalypse Explained, Vol. 6

is called a "harlot," and "the mother of the whoredoms and abominations of the earth."

1033. "That sitteth upon many waters" signifies that rules over all things of the Word, and thus over the holy things of the church.—This is evident from the signification of "to sit," as meaning to subject to her judgment and to bring under her jurisdiction, and thus to rule. This is why the expressions "sitting in judgment" and "sitting upon a throne" are used (see above, n 687). Also from the signification of "waters," as meaning truths (see n. 71, 483, 518, 854), but here all things of the Word, because it is said "many waters," and has reference to the "harlot," which is Babylon, by which is meant adulteration and profanation of the Word from which comes every good and truth of the church. "Many waters" signify also the holy things of the church, because all holy things of the church have reference to goods and truths, which are from the Word. [2.] "To dwell upon many waters" has a like signification in Jeremiah:

"Jehovah shall do that which He spake against the inhabitants of Babylon. O thou that dwellest upon many waters, upon many treasures, thine end is come, the measure of thy gain" (li. 12, 13).

Because "many waters" signify the truths of the Word, and thus the holy things of the church, it is here added, "upon many treasures;" for "treasures" signify Divine truths, which are in the Word. "Many waters" here signify also the holy things of the church, as will be evident from the explanation of the fifteenth verse, where it is said, "The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples and multitudes, nations and tongues," and "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues," there mean all things of the church; because the "earth" in the Word signifies the church, and thus those on the earth signify all things of the church. But on this more will be said in the explanation of that verse. That the Babylonians have subjected the truths of the Word and the holy things of the church to their judgment, jurisdiction, and dominion, can be seen from this, that they persuade the people that the Word is understood by them alone and not by any one who has not been inaugurated into the ministry; and by this means they subject all things of the Word and thus all things of the church to their dominion. [3.] Moreover, the Word is such in the sense of its letter that it may be drawn aside to confirm any heresy whatever; for the sense of the letter consists of appearances of truth, which hold enclosed in them the genuine truths of heaven, which are called spiritual truths; and unless these truths are unveiled and laid bare, that is, unless they are taught in the doctrines of the church, the ap-