727. Verse 4 For in seven days' time I am making it rain over the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe out everything^a I have made from over the face^b of the ground. 'Seven days' time' means the onset of temptation. 'Raining' means temptation. 'Forty days and nights' means the duration of temptation. 'Wiping out everything^a I have made from over the face^b of the ground' means man's proprium which is so to speak wiped out when he is being regenerated. The same statements also mean the wiping out of those members of the Most Ancient Church who destroyed themselves.

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