843. Verse 18. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
"Here is wisdom," signifies that this is their doctrine in its full extent, which is considered to be wisdom, although it is insanity. "Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast," signifies that those who are in a state of enlightenment inquire into the nature of the belief in this religious persuasion: "for it is the number of a man," signifies its nature, as though it were from the understanding of truths; which understanding the men of the church ought to possess: "and his number is six hundred and sixty-six," signifies, that nevertheless its quality is that of all falsities and all evils therefrom, in their whole extent.