10. The "fulness of time" also signifies consummation and desolation: the reason is that "time" signifies the state of the Church (see Revelation 10:6; and in Ezekiel). The same also is signified by "a time, times, and half a time" [see Revelation 12:14; Daniel 7:25; 12:7]. Times in the world are spring, summer, autumn; and the fulness of them is winter. Times as to light are morning, noon, evening; and the fulness of these is night, etc. , etc. This is meant by the Lord's coming being in "the fulness of time" or of "times;" that is, when there is no longer any truth of faith and good of charity remaining. (Concerning "the fulness of time," see Romans 11:12, 25; Galatians 4:4, and, especially, Ephesians 1:9, 10; Genesis 15:16).

The word "righteous" has taken on a bit of negative shading in modern language. That may be because we hear it most often as part of the word "self-righteous," a rather scathing term for someone who thinks he is quite a good person -- almost certainly better than anyone around him -- and is in a position to judge others without being judged himself. The original word, however, is not negative at all: A righteous person is simply someone who does what is right. The spiritual meaning of "righteous" reflects that: people described as "righteous" act from a love of serving others, and that love is "righteousness." This is commonly described as "the good of charity," "charity" meaning a state of caring for others.