221. That by the “air” or “breath” “of the day” is signified a period when the church had still somewhat of perception remaining, is evident from the signification of “day” and of “night.” The most ancient people compared the states of the church to the times of the day, and of the night, to the times of the day when the church was still in light, wherefore this state is compared to the breath or air “of the day” because there was still some remnant of perception by which they knew that they were fallen. The Lord also calls the state of faith “day” and that of no faith “night;” as in John:

I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work (John 9:4).

The states of the regeneration of man were for the same reason called “days” in chapter 1.