2345. 'Scarcely had they lain down' means the first phase of visitation. This is clear from what has been stated above in 2323, 2335, about evening and night, namely that in the Word they mean visitation and judgement. Here, it is true, neither the word 'evening' nor the word 'night' is used but the phrase 'scarcely had they lain down', which accordingly means the time when evening is giving way to night, that is, when night is beginning. Consequently it means the first phase of visitation upon the evil, as is also evident from what follows. For the investigation of evil people inside the Church who are meant by Sodom starts here.