35. Your questions are the same ones asked by the souls of the righteous dead in the places where God is keeping them waiting: ‘How long must we wait here? When will the day of judgement come, when we will get our reward?’
36. The archangel Jeremiel answers them, ‘It will happen as soon as the complete number of those who have suffered as you have are here. For God has weighed this age,
37. measured the years, and numbered the days. Nothing will be changed until time has run its predetermined course.’ ”
38. “But, sir,” I replied, “all of us here on earth are such wicked sinners.
39. Is it possible that because of our sin the righteous dead are having to wait for their reward?”
40. His answer was, “Can a pregnant woman keep her child from being born after her nine months are up?”
41. “No, sir, she cannot,” I answered.And he continued, “In the world of the dead, the place where God has stored the souls is like a womb.
42. It is as eager to return the souls entrusted to it from the beginning of the world as a woman is to end her labour pains.
43. When that happens, you will have the answer to all your questions.”
44. “Please, sir,” I asked, “if you think I am able to understand it, can you
45. tell me one more thing? Is the time that is still to come longer than the past that has already gone by?
46. I know how long the past has been, but I don't know the future.”
47. “Come here and stand at my right,” he commanded, “and I will show you a vision and explain its meaning.”
48. So I stood by him and looked, and I saw a blazing fire pass by in front of me, and when it was gone, I saw that smoke was still there.
49. Then a rain cloud passed by in front of me, bringing a heavy downpour of rain; and when the downpour was over, there was still a light rain.