Open English Translation L ESD Chapter 13

13 After seven days, I had a dream at night. 2 Listen, a wind arose from the sea that moved all its waves. 3 I saw [this wind caused to come up from the middle of the sea something like the appearance of a man. I saw][fn] that man flew[fn] with the clouds of heaven. When he turned his face to look, everything that he saw trembled. 4 Whenever the voice went out of his mouth, all who heard his voice melted, like the wax[fn] melts when it feels the fire.

5 After that I saw that an innumerable multitude of people was gathered together from the four winds of heaven to make war against the man who came out of the sea. 6 I saw that he carved himself a great mountain, and flew up onto it. 7 I tried to see the region or place from which the mountain was carved, and I couldn’t.

8 After that I saw that all those who were gathered together to fight against him were very afraid, and yet they dared to fight. 9 Listen, as he saw the assault of the multitude that came, he didn’t lift up his hand, or hold a spear or any weapon of war; 10 but I saw only how he sent out of his mouth something like a flood of fire, and out of his lips a flaming breath, and out of his tongue he shot out a storm of sparks.[fn] 11 These were all mixed together: the flood of fire, the flaming breath, and the great storm, and fell onto the assault of the multitude which was prepared to fight, and burnt up every one of them, so that all of a sudden an innumerable multitude was seen to be nothing but dust of ashes and smell of smoke. When I saw that, I was amazed.

12 Afterward, I saw the same man come down from the mountain, and call to himself another multitude which was peaceful. 13 Many people came to him. Some of them were glad. Some were sorry. Some of them were bound, and some others brought some of those as offerings. Then through great fear I woke up and prayed to the Most High, and said, 14 “You’ve shown your servant these wonders from the beginning, and have counted me worthy that you should receive my prayer. 15 Now show me also the interpretation of this dream. 16 Because as I conceive in my understanding, woe to those who’ll be left in those days! Much more woe to those who aren’t left! 17 Because those who weren’t left will be in heaviness, 18 understanding the things that are laid up in the latter days, but not attaining to them. 19 But woe to them also who are left, because they’ll see great perils and much distress, like these dreams declare.

He answered me, 21 “I’ll tell you the interpretation of the vision, and I’ll also open to you the things about which you mentioned. 22 You’ve spoken of those who are left behind. This is the interpretation: 23 He that’ll endure[fn] the peril in that time will protect those who fall into danger, even those who have works and faith towards the Almighty. 24 Know therefore that those who are left behind are more blessed than those who are dead. 25 These are the interpretations of the vision: Whereas you saw a man coming up from the middle of the sea, 26 this is he whom the Most High has been keeping for many ages, who by his own self will deliver his creation. He’ll direct those who are left behind. 27 Whereas you saw that out of his mouth came wind, fire, and storm, 28 and whereas he held neither spear, nor any weapon of war, but destroyed the assault of that multitude which came to fight against him, this is the interpretation: 29 Listen, the days come when the Most High will begin to deliver those who are on the earth. 30 Astonishment of mind will come on those who live on the earth. 31 One will plan to make war against another, city against city, place against place, people against people, and kingdom against kingdom. 32 It’ll be, when these things happen, and the signs happen which I showed you before, then my Son will be revealed, whom you saw as a man ascending. 33 It’ll be, when all the nations hear his voice, every man will leave his own land and the battle they have against one another. 34 An innumerable multitude will be gathered together, as you saw, desiring to come and to fight against him. 35 But he’ll stand on the top of Mt. Tsiyon (Zion). 36 Tsiyon will come, and will be shown to all men, being prepared and built, like you saw the mountain carved without hands. 37 My Son will rebuke the nations which have come for their wickedness, with deadly diseases that are like a storm, 38 and will rebuke them to their face with their evil thoughts, and the torments with which they’ll be tormented, which are like a flame. He’ll destroy them without labour by the law, which is like fire. 39 Whereas you saw that he gathered to himself another multitude that was peaceful, 40 these are the ten tribes which were led away out of their own land in the time of Hoshea (Hosea) the king, whom Shalmaneser the king of the Assyrians led away captive, and he carried them beyond the River, and they were taken into another land. 41 But they made this plan among themselves, that they’d leave the multitude of the heathen, and go out into a more distant region, where mankind had never lived, 42 that there they might keep their statutes which they hadn’t kept in their own land. 43 They entered by the narrow passages of the river Perat (Euphrates). 44 Because the Most High then did signs for them, and stopped the springs of the River until they’d passed over. 45 Because through that country there was a long way to go, namely, of a year and a half. The same region is called Arzareth.[fn] 46 Then they lived there until the latter time. Now when they begin to come again, 47 the Most High stops the springs of the River again, that they may go through. Therefore you saw the multitude gathered together with peace. 48 But those who are left behind of your people are those who are found within my holy border. 49 It’ll be therefore when he’ll destroy the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he’ll defend the people who remain. 50 Then will he show them very many wonders.”

51 Then I said, “O sovereign master, explain this to me: Why have I seen the man coming up from the middle of the sea?”

52 He said to me, as no one can explore or know what’s in the depths of the sea, even so no man on earth can see my Son, or those who are with him, except in the time of his[fn] day. 53 That is the interpretation of the dream which you saw, and for this only you’re enlightened about this, 54 for you’ve forsaken your own ways, and applied your diligence to mine, and have searched out my law. 55 You’ve ordered your life in wisdom, and have called understanding your mother. 56 Therefore I’ve shown you this, for there’s a reward laid up with the Most High. It’ll be, after another three days I’ll speak other things to you, and declare to you mighty and wondrous things.”

57 Then I went out and passed into the field, giving praise and thanks greatly to the Most High because of his wonders, which he did from time to time, 58 and because he governs the time, and such things as happen in their seasons. So I sat there three days.