872. And unto every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people. That this signifies unto all who are in the goods of life and of doctrine, and in truths therefrom, is evident from the signification of nation, as denoting those who are in the good of life, because in the good of love; concerning which see above (n. 175, 331, 625): and from the signification of tribe, as denoting those who are in truths from good; concerning which see above (n. 39, 430, 431): and from the signification of tongue, as denoting confession from good of heart - thus those who are in the good of doctrine; concerning which see above (n. 455, 625): and from the signification of people, as denoting those who are in truths of doctrine; concerning which also see above (n. 175, 331, 625). From these things it is evident that by every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people, are signified all those who are in the goods of life and doctrine, and in the truths therefrom; thus both the simple and the learned, wherever they may be, whether within the church or without it.
According to the sense of the letter, by every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, are meant all of whatever religion they are; but in the spiritual sense all those who live well, and understand rightly.