Like other descriptions of time in the Word, "a day" or a number of "days" describe a spiritual state rather than our natural concept of time. A spiritual "day" describes a state of mind or a state in our relationship with the Lord rather than a 12-hour or 24-hour span of natural time. "Day" describes a state in which we are turned toward the Lord, and are receiving light (which is truth) and heat (which is a desire for good) from the Lord.

72. The examination of spirits by means of conjugial love

The spirits recently arrived in the spiritual world are examined above all to see if they are hostile to conjugial love. They are brought to places where the sphere of conjugial love passes by, or to chaste married couples. If they then change countenance and show annoyance, and even more if they then have lascivious thoughts, still more if they speak lasciviously, then it is a sign that they are of an infernal disposition; but if they are then glad and happy it is a sign that they are of a heavenly disposition. This is the test whether they belong to heaven or to hell; those who are hostile to conjugial love belong to hell, those who are in favour of it, to heaven.