Fourth Ezra

And it came to pass after seven days that I saw a vision in the night.

And behold, a great wind arose from the sea so as to stir up all its waves.

And I looked, and behold, that wind brought up from the heart of the sea as it were the likeness of a man. And I looked, and behold, that man was flying with the clouds of heaven; and wherever he turned his face to look and see, everything trembled before his sight.

And wherever the voice of his mouth went forth, all who heard his voice melted, just as wax melts when it feels the fire.

And I looked after these things, and behold, an innumerable multitude of people was gathered together from the four winds of heaven, to wage war against that man who came up from the sea.

And I saw that he carved out for himself a high mountain, and he flew and stood upon it.

But I sought to see the place or spot from which that mountain was carved out, and I could not.

And after these things I looked, and behold, all those who had gathered to wage war against him were very terrified; yet they dared to fight.

And when he saw the onslaught of the coming of their multitude as it approached, he did not raise his hand, nor did he hold a spear, nor any weapon of war; but I saw

how he sent forth from his mouth only as it were waves of fire, and from his lips a breath of flame, and from his tongue he shot out fiery coals of tempest; and all these mingled together—the waves of fire, the breath of flame, and the multitude of the tempest.

And they fell upon the oncoming rush of that great multitude which was prepared to fight, and burned them all up suddenly, so that nothing was seen of that innumerable multitude except only dust of ashes and the smell of smoke; and I looked and was astonished.

And after these things, I saw that man descending from that mountain, and calling to himself another multitude, a peaceful crowd.

And there drew near

to him the figures of many people; some of them were joyful, but some were grieving, and some were bound, and some were bringing those who were being offered. Then from the greatness of my fear I awoke, and I prayed to the Most High and said:

“You showed these wonders to your servant from the beginning, and though I am not worthy, you considered me deserving to receive my prayer.

And now reveal to me also the interpretation of this vision.

For as I consider in my mind, woe to those who are left behind in those days, and much more, woe to those who are not left behind!

For because they were not

left behind,

they shall grieve

over what is kept for those who are left behind in the last days, but they themselves do not reach them, as well as for those who are left behind.

On this account, woe! For they see great dangers with many tribulations, as these visions show.

Yet it is better for a man to endure danger and come to these things, than to pass away like a cloud from the world and not see what happens at the end of the times.”

And he answered and said to me, “I will tell you also the interpretation of your vision, and I will reveal to you concerning the things of which you have spoken.

Because you spoke of those who are left behind and of those who are not left behind, this is the explanation:

He who endures danger at that time, he keeps those

who fall into danger,

who have works and faith toward the Most High and the Mighty One.

Know, therefore, that blessedness is given to those who are left behind more than to those who have died.

Now this is the interpretation of your vision: Because you saw a man coming up from the heart of the sea,

he is the one whom the Most High has kept for many times, the one by whose hand he will deliver his creation; and he will guide those who are left behind.

And because you saw that from his mouth went forth a breath of fire and of tempest,

and that he was not holding a spear or any weapon of war in his hand, yet destroyed the onslaught of the coming of that host which came to wage war with him, this is the meaning:

Behold, the days are coming when the Most High will begin to deliver those who are upon the earth,

and great astonishment shall come upon the inhabitants of the earth.

And they shall plan to war against one another, city against city, region against region, nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

And it shall come to pass, when these signs happen which I told you before, then my Son shall be revealed, whom you saw as a man coming up.

And when all the nations hear his voice, each of them shall leave his own region and their mutual warfare,

and an innumerable host shall be gathered together, as you saw, desiring to come and wage war against that man.

But he shall stand upon the summit of Mount Zion.

And Zion shall come and be revealed to all, prepared and built, just as you saw the mountain carved out without hands.

And my Son shall reprove for their ungodliness those nations that have come—those who were likened to a tempest—and shall set before them their evil deeds and the torment with which they are about to be tortured.

Then he who was likened to a flame shall destroy them without effort by means of the Law, which was likened to fire.

And because you saw him calling and gathering to himself another multitude, a peaceful crowd,

these are the nine and a half tribes that were taken captive from their land in the days of King Josiah, whom Shalmaneser the king of the Assyrians led captive, and brought them across the Euphrates River, and they were taken captive into another land.

For they took counsel among themselves and formed this plan, to leave the multitude of the nations and go to a more distant region, where the human race had never dwelt,

that there at least they might keep their law, which they had not kept in their own land.

And they entered by the narrow passages of the Euphrates.

For the Most High then performed wonders for them, and held back the channels of the river until they had all crossed over.

For through that region there was a great way to go, a journey of a year and a half; and that country is called Arzaph, at the end of the world.

And they lived there until the last time; and now when they are about to come again,

the Most High will again hold back the channels of the river Euphrates, so that they may be able to cross over. Therefore you saw a multitude gathered together in peace.

Moreover, those who are left of your people shall live, those who are found within my holy borders.

And it will come to pass, when he destroys the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he will defend the people who are left.

And then he will show them very many wonders.”

And I said to him again, “O Lord, my Lord, explain this to me: why did I see the man coming up from the heart of the sea?” And he answered and said to me:

“Just as no one is able to explore and find out or know what is in the depths of the sea, so no one of those on earth is able to see my Son or those who are with him, except at that time in his day.

This is the interpretation of the vision that you saw. For this reason these things were revealed to you, to you alone,

because you have forsaken your own concerns and devoted yourself to those

that are mine,

and you have sought out those that belong to the Law.

For you have conducted your life in wisdom, and called understanding your mother.

Therefore I have shown you these things; for there is a reward with the Most High. And it will be after three days that I will speak other things to you, and explain to you other wonders.”

Then I went and walked extensively in the field, praising and giving thanks to the Most High for the wonders that he worked from time to time,

and because he governs the times and what comes in the times. And I remained there three days.