3458. And they rose early in the morning. That this signifies a state of enlightenment, is evident from the signification of “morning,” and of “rising early,” as being a state of enlightenment; for in the supreme sense the “morning and daydawn” are the Lord, and in the internal sense the celestial of His love, thus also a state of peace (n. 2333, 2405, 2540, 2780); and in the internal sense “to rise” signifies elevation (n. 2401, 2785, 2912, 2927, 3171); from all which it is evident that their “rising early in the morning” signifies a state of enlightenment.

1048. That the bow shall be seen in the cloud. That this signifies when man is still such that he can be regenerated, is evident from the signification of the “bow in the cloud” which is a sign or indication of regeneration, as said above. With regard to the bow in the cloud, the case further is this. The quality of a man, or of a soul after the death of the body, is known at once; by the Lord it is known from eternity, and what it will be to eternity. By the angels his quality is perceived the moment he comes near. There is a certain sphere which exhales—so to speak—from his nature, or from everything in him; and this sphere, wonderful to say, is such that from it is perceived in what faith and in what charity the man is. It is this sphere that becomes visible as a bow when it so pleases the Lord. (Concerning this sphere, of the Lord’s Divine mercy hereafter.) Hence it is evident what is here signified by the bow when seen in the cloud, namely, when man is such that he can be regenerated.