11. and swept down on the crowd that was coming to attack him, and burnt them all up. In a single moment, that crowd too large to count vanished, and there was nothing left but powdery ashes and the smell of smoke. I was shocked when I saw what had happened.
12. Then I saw the man come down from the mountain and call another large crowd to come to him — this was a peace-loving crowd.
13. All sorts of people came: some were happy, some were sad, some had their hands and feet tied, and some brought others as a gift to the Lord.I was so frightened that I woke up. I prayed to God Most High and said,
14. “Lord, you have been showing me all these marvellous things. You have considered me worthy and have heard my prayers.
15. Now please show me the meaning of this dream also.
16. I have been thinking how terrible it will be for the people who will be living in those days, but how much worse for those who do not survive.
17. They will be in great sorrow
18. because they will not enjoy any of the pleasures reserved for the last days.
19. But how terrible also for those who do survive; they will have to face great dangers and many troubles, as these dreams have shown.
20. Nevertheless, it is better to pass through these dangers and reach the end than to disappear like a cloud from this world and never see what takes place in the last days.”He answered,
21. “I will explain to you the meaning of the vision and answer the questions you have asked.
22. You have raised questions about those who will survive until the end. The answer is that
23. the one who brings the dangers in those days will also protect from danger the people who have stored up good works and faithfulness with God the Almighty One.
24. You may be certain that those who survive are far more fortunate than those who die.
25. “This is the meaning of the vision. The man you saw coming up out of the sea
26. represents the one whom God Most High has kept ready for many ages. He will free the world he created and establish the new order for those who survive.