851. And with him a hundred forty and four thousand. That this signifies, according to truths in their whole extent, is evident from the signification of a hundred and forty-four thousand, as denoting truths in their whole extent; concerning which see above (n. 430).
The signification of the things there is similar to these words of the Lord to His twelve disciples:
"Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt. xix. 28).
By these words is not meant that the twelve disciples shall sit upon twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel, but that the Lord will judge all according to truths from good, which are from Him. For by the twelve disciples are signified all those who belong to the church, and, in an abstract sense, all things of the church, which are truths from good; concerning which also see above (n. 9, 206, 253, 270, 297, 430).
Similar things are also signified by the elders and princes, in Isaiah:
"Jehovah standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the peoples; Jehovah shall come to judgment with the elders of his people and the princes thereof" (iii. 13, 14).
By the elders and princes of the people are signified the same as by the twelve disciples, that is, all those belonging to the church who are in its truths and goods; and, in an abstract sense, the truths and goods of the church in their whole extent. That these things are signified by elders, see above (n. 271); and also by princes (n. 29, 408).
By a hundred and forty-four thousand are meant truths in their whole extent, for the same things are signified by that number as by the number twelve; and by twelve are signified truths and goods in their whole extent. The reason why a hundred and forty-four thousand signify similar things is, that compound numbers signify the same as the simple numbers from which they arise by multiplication; and the number one hundred and forty-four arises from the multiplication of twelve by twelve. And one hundred and forty-four thousand signify the same as one hundred and forty-four. But upon this subject see what is said in the explanation of chap. vii. which treats of the twelve thousand sealed out of every tribe, and the hundred and forty-four thousand sealed out of all the tribes together.