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.

9745. 'A hundred cubits the length' means complete with good from the Lord. This is clear from the meaning of 'a hundred' as all, much, and what is complete, dealt with below; and from the meaning of 'the length' as good, dealt with in 1613, 9487. The reason why it is good from the Lord is that the good of faith - by which those in the lowest heaven, represented by the court of the dwelling-place, are governed - originates in the Lord. 'A hundred' means all, much, and what is complete because it carries the same meanings as ten, a thousand, and ten thousand. As regards these latter numbers, that they have such meanings, see 2575, 3107, 4638, 8715; and as regards a hundred, 2636, 4400.