894. 'At the beginning, on the first of the month' means a starting point. This is now clear from what has been said above. Everything that this statement embodies is an arcanum so deep that it cannot be described, except for just the point that no definite period of time ever exists when anyone is regenerate enough to be able to say, 'Now I am perfect'. In fact an unlimited number of states of evil and falsity exist with everyone, not only simple states but also varied and complex ones which, as has been stated, have to be disposed of in such a way that they do not recur. In some states a person can be called fairly perfect, but in countless others he cannot. People who have been regenerated during their lifetime, and in whose lives faith in the Lord and charity towards the neighbour have been present, are in the next life being perfected all the time.

8059. 'And on the seventh day there shall be a feast to Jehovah' means holy worship of the Lord. This is clear from the meaning of 'the seventh day' as a holy state, state being meant by 'day', see 23, 487, 488, 493, 893, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850, 5672, 5962, and what is holy by 'seven', 395, 433, 716, 881, 5265, 5268; and from the meaning of 'a feast to Jehovah' as worship of the Lord, worship with gladness of mind being meant by 'a feast', see 7093, and the Lord by 'Jehovah', 8046.