Chapter 8

1In the assemblies, nations, and churches there shall be many tumults, for there shall arise evil shepherds who are unjust, idle, greedy, lovers of pleasure, gain, and money, talkative, boastful, haughty, gluttonous, perverse, reckless, devoted to delights, vainglorious, opposing the ways of the Gospel and fleeing from the narrow gate. They shall cast off every humiliation, feel no sorrow for my humiliation, reject all words of truth, despise all the ways of piety, and refuse to mourn for their sins. Therefore unbelief, hatred of the brotherhood, wickedness, bitterness, idleness, envy, hatred, strife, theft, oppression, drunkenness, debauchery, lust, licentiousness, fornication, and all such works contrary to the commandments of life shall spread among the nations. Mourning, gentleness, peace, meekness, poverty, piety, and tears shall flee from many, because the shepherds heard these things but did not do them. Moreover, they did not proclaim my commandments, since they themselves are examples of wickedness among the nation. But the time shall come when some of them will deny me, stir up confusion on earth, and put their trust in a corruptible king. But those who endure in my name to the end shall be saved. Then they shall ordain commandments for people unlike the book of commandments in which the Father is well pleased. My chosen and holy ones shall be rejected by them and called polluted among them. Yet these are the upright, pure, sorrowful, merciful, quiet, and kind, always knowing him who is among them at all times. They shall be called mad for my sake, who have saved them. In those days my Father shall gather from that generation the pure ones, the pure and faithful souls, those to whom I will appear and with whom I will make my dwelling. I will send them the understanding of knowledge and truth and the understanding of holiness. They shall not cease praising and thanking their God, my Father who sent me. They shall always speak the truth and shall teach others whose spirit they have tested and found upright and worthy of the kingdom. They shall instruct them in knowledge, strength, and prudence. Those who suffer persecution because they live in piety shall receive the reward of their praise. In those times all kingdoms shall be disturbed, and the whole world shall experience affliction and want. This entire world shall be regarded as nothing, and all its possessions shall be destroyed by many destroyers. There shall be a great scarcity of crops, and the winter shall be very severe. The princes who rule over gold and silver and are rich in all the things of this world shall be few in number and insignificant. The children of this world shall control their storerooms and barns and shall rule over the markets of buying and selling. Many shall be afflicted and shall therefore call upon their God to be delivered. Blessed are those who are not alive at that time, and blessed also are those who shall be alive but endure. For when these things happen, then the woman in labor is near to giving birth, for the time is fulfilled.