162    The Bible and the Future of the World 

     For if a farmer, or a shepherd, or a worker in a field of labor were 

suddenly overcome, he endured an inescapable necessity.  (Wisdom 17:16) 

    If someone who is a good person, even a holy faithful servant of God, is 

caught outside at the start of these three days, he will nevertheless be killed. 

Everyone outside during the three days will be killed. This is an inescapable 

necessity, to purge the earth of most evil and unfaithful persons. Any good 

persons caught outdoors will die and go to Heaven, directly or by way of 

Purgatory. But they will still die. This chastisement is inescapable. 

     For they were all bound together with one chain of darkness. Or if there 

were a whistling wind, or the sweet sound of birds among the thick tree 

branches, or the force of water rushing excessively,  or the strong noise of 

rocks crashing down, or the scattering of playful animals having been seen, 

or the strong voice of bellowing beasts, or the resounding of the highest 

mountain echo, these things made them sink down because of fear.  

(Wisdom 17:17 18) 

    Everyone, good and evil, faithful and unfaithful, is affected in one way or 

another by the three days of darkness, worldwide. But the impious and the 

unfaithful sink down in fear at even the simplest sounds of nature, whether 

soft sounds or loud sounds. 

     For the whole world was enlightened with a clear light, and none were 

being hindered in their labors. But then, the heavy night was placed over the 

sun for them, an image of that darkness which was about to overcome them. 

Yet they were more grievous to themselves than was the darkness.  

(Wisdom 17:19 20) 

    The teaching of Christ gives spiritual light to the whole world. But those 

who reject these teachings are caught by surprise during the three days of 

darkness. The darkness that covers the faithful during this time is limited, for 

they can light blessed candles, and is temporary, for they can survive to live 

in peace and harmony. But for the unfaithful and impious, the three days of 

darkness is merely the beginning of the permanent darkness of Hell that will 

overcome them, if they do not repent. And their own inner darkness is more 

frightful to them than the darkness of those three days. 

     But your saints were your greatest light, and they heard your voice, but 

did not see your form. And because they themselves did not also suffer the 

same things, they praised you greatly. And those who were wounded before, 

gave thanks, because they were no longer being wounded, and because they 

had petitioned for this gift, that  there would be this difference.  Because of 

this, they had a burning column of fire as a guide on the unknown way, and 

you displayed a harmless sun of a good hospitality.  The others, indeed, 

deserved to be deprived of the light and to endure a prison of darkness, who 

watched for an opportunity to imprison your sons, by whom the 

incorruptible light of the law was beginning to  be given to future