588. Verse 8. And all that dwell on the earth shall adore him, whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life, signifies that all of the church of the Reformed acknowledged that heretical doctrine, which is meant by the "dragon" and the "beast," as holy in the church, except those who believed in the Lord. "To adore" signifies to acknowledge as a holy thing of the church, as above (n. 579-580); by "all that dwell on the earth," are signified all of the church of the Reformed (as in n. 558); by "names not written in the Lamb's book of life," is signified, except those who believe in the Lord; by "names," they are signified as to their quality (n. 81, 122, 165); by "the book of life" is signified the Word of the Lord, and all doctrine respecting Him (n. 256, 257, 259, 469); and as all the doctrine of the church from the Word refers to this point, that they should believe in the Lord, therefore this is here meant by "name written in the Lamb's book of life." Concerning faith in the Lord, see above (n. 67 and 533).