3200. These two verses describe the state of rational good when in expectation of truth that is to be joined to it as a bride to her husband. The two verses that follow next describe the state of truth when it is near and perceives the good to which it is to be joined. But it should be recognized that these states did not occur merely once but repeatedly throughout the Lord's entire life in the world until He had been glorified. The same applies also to those who are to be regenerated, for they are not regenerated in a single space of time but are being regenerated throughout their entire life, and even in the next life. In fact the perfecting of man can never be complete.

Since this aligns so well with the meaning of "wonder" or "marvel" as a noun, it seems safe to conclude that "wondering" or "marveling" indicates a state of being in direct contact with the Lord's power and wisdom. Used as nouns, "marvels" and "wonders" are generally synonymous with miracles, which are expressions of the Lord's power in the world. In particular, the Lord tells Moses on Mt. Sinai that he will "do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation." This means that the Lord would use the Israelitish nation to create His Word, as contained in the Bible, and that the Word would be a spiritual document -- a marvel -- that will contain everything of the Lord. Overall, then, a wonder or marvel is something that brings us into contact with the Lord and His divine power. So what does this mean concerning "wondering" or "marveling" as verbs? There are just a few references to this in the Works of Swedenborg, most notably when Abraham's servant observes Rebekah at the well in Genesis 24:21, and "wonders" at the fact that she is performing all the signs that he had prayed for. This represents a state of perception -- an openness to the truth flowing in directly from the Lord.