540. And upon his heads, seven diadems, signifies all the truths of the Word falsified and profaned. By "diadems" or precious stones, are signified the truths of the Word; specifically, the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word, but here, those truths falsified and profaned, from their being seen "upon the seven heads of the dragon," by which is signified insanity from truths falsified and profaned (n. 538). [2] That by "diadems," or precious stones, are signified the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word, may be seen in The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem Concerning the Sacred Scripture (n.43-45); where it is shown that Divine truths in ultimates, which are the truths of the sense of the letter of the Word, are signified by:
The twelve precious stones in the breastplate of Aaron, which was the Urim and Thummim (Exod. 28:6, 15-21, 30). And by the precious stones in the garden of Eden, in which the king of Tyre is said to have been (Ezek. 28:12-13). Also by the twelve precious stones, of which the foundations of the wall of the New Jerusalem consisted (Rev. 21:17-20). The truths of the sense of the letter of the Word are signified by "diadems," or precious stones, because all things of the sense of the letter of the Word are transparent before angels, from its spiritual sense, thus from the light of heaven, in which the spiritual truths of the Word are; for "a stone," in the Word, signifies truth in ultimates; hence, "a precious stone" signifies that truth transparent. [3] The reason why the truths of the Word, when falsified and profaned, are also called "diadems," is because they shine from themselves, whether they be possessed by this person or that; in the same manner as diadems on earth, in whosesoever hand they are. It has sometimes been given me to see adulterous women, on their first coming from the earth into the world of spirits, decked with diadems; and Jews, likewise, selling diadems, which they had procured to themselves from heaven; from which it was plain, that evils and falsities, with such, do not change the light and splendor of the truths of the Word. Therefore the like is signified by:
The ten diadems upon the horns of the beast which came up out of the sea (Rev. 13:1). And by the precious stones on the woman who sat on the scarlet beast (Rev. 17:3-5). That the truths of the Word are what are signified by "diadems," appears manifestly in Revelation, that:
There were seen upon the head of Him who sat upon the white horse, and whose name was the Word of God, many diadems (Rev. 19:12-13).