664. And after three days and a half.- That this signifies when completed, thus the end of the old church, and the beginning of a new church, is evident from the signification of three days and a half, as denoting fulness or completion at the end of the old church, when there is the beginning of a new church, concerning which see above (n. 658). The reason why it is said, after three days and a half, is, that days, in the Word, signify states, here, the last state of the church. For all times, in the Word, as hours, days, weeks, months, years, and ages, signify states in the Word, as in this case, the last state of the church, when there is no longer any good of love or truth of faith remaining. Because days signify states, and since in the first chapter of Genesis the establishment of the Most Ancient Church is treated of which was accomplished successively from one state to another, therefore it is said there that there was evening and there was morning the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and sixth days, unto the seventh, when it was completed (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31), and the days there do not mean days, but the successive states of the regeneration of men at that time, and the consequent establishment of the church with them. So also elsewhere in the Word.

1515. I once perceived the sphere of the stench of a woman who afterwards entered into association with sirens, and for a period of several days that stench emanated from her wherever she went. The spirits said the stench appeared to be deadly, though she herself did not perceive it at all. The stench of the sirens is similar because their interiors are filthy, but their exteriors are for the most part attractive and good looking. Such have been described in 831. It is a remarkable fact that in the next life sirens mentally take in everything there, and have a better knowledge than others have of the nature of things, even matters of doctrine. But they take everything in to the end that they may turn it into magic and give themselves dominion over others. By a presence of good and truth they enter into good people's affections, but their own dispositions remain such as they were before. From this it becomes clear that a matter of doctrine has no value at all unless a person so becomes what it teaches, that is, unless he keeps life as the end in view. There are in addition many among the inhabitants of hell who have been more expert in matters of doctrine than anybody else. But those who have led charitable lives are all in heaven.