159. I have been shown how the Lord, as a Sun, appears to the angels of the celestial kingdom in their first state, how in their second, and how in their third state. The Lord as a Sun was at first seen, golden red and glittering with a splendour that cannot be described. It was said that such was the appearance of the Lord as a Sun to the angels in their first state. Afterwards there appeared a great dark belt about the Sun and by this its first glow and brilliancy which gave it such splendour began to be dulled. It was said that such is the appearance of the Sun to them in their second state. Then the belt seemed by degrees to grow more dark and the Sun to appear less glowing, until at length it became quite white. It was said that such is the appearance of the Sun to them in their third state. After this, that whiteness was seen to move to the left towards the Moon of heaven, and to add itself to the light of it, in consequence of which the Moon then shone with unwonted splendour. It was said that such is the fourth state of those in the celestial kingdom and the first state of those in the spiritual kingdom, and that in both kingdoms changes of state have such alternations, although not in the whole kingdom at once, but in one society after another. Further it was said that these alternations are not fixed, but come upon them sooner or later without their knowledge. It was, moreover, stated that the Sun in itself is not thus changed or moved, but it takes on this appearance in accord with the successive progressions of their states since the Lord appears to every one in accord with what his state is, thus glowing when one is in intense love, and less glowing and finally white as his love subsides. The quality of each one's state is represented by the dark belt that induces upon the Sun these apparent variations in its flame and light.