894. 'At the beginning, on the first of the month' means a starting point. This is now clear from what has been said above. Everything that this statement embodies is an arcanum so deep that it cannot be described, except for just the point that no definite period of time ever exists when anyone is regenerate enough to be able to say, 'Now I am perfect'. In fact an unlimited number of states of evil and falsity exist with everyone, not only simple states but also varied and complex ones which, as has been stated, have to be disposed of in such a way that they do not recur. In some states a person can be called fairly perfect, but in countless others he cannot. People who have been regenerated during their lifetime, and in whose lives faith in the Lord and charity towards the neighbour have been present, are in the next life being perfected all the time.

7278. 'Out of the land of Egypt' means from molestations. This is clear from the meaning of 'the land of Egypt' as the place where those steeped in falsities who engage in molestation are, dealt with in 7240, 7274, thus molestations also. For 'the land' means the actual nation; and the nation in the internal sense means that which is associated with the nation, and therefore means molestation in this instance.