2 Esdras 7:26-44

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Temporary Messianic Kingdom

²⁶ “For indeed the time will come when the signs that I have foretold to you will come to pass, that the city that now is not seen shall appear^[a] and the land that now is hidden shall be disclosed.^{(A) 27} Everyone who has been delivered from the evils that I have foretold shall see my wonders.^{(B) 28} For my son the Messiah^[b] shall be revealed with those who are with him, and those who remain shall rejoice four hundred years.^{(C) 29} After those years my son the Messiah shall die, and all who draw human breath.^{[c](D) 30} Then the world shall be turned back to primeval silence for seven days, as it was at the first beginnings, so that no one shall be left.^{(E) 31} After seven days the world that is not yet awake shall be roused, and that which is corruptible shall perish. ³² The earth shall give up those who are asleep in it and the dust those who rest there in silence, and the chambers shall give up the souls that have been committed to them.^{(F) 33} The Most High shall be revealed on the seat of judgment, and compassion shall pass away, and patience shall be withdrawn.^{[d](G) 34} Only judgment shall remain, truth shall stand, and faithfulness shall grow strong.^{(H) 35} Recompense shall follow, and the reward shall be manifested; righteous deeds shall awake, and unrighteous deeds shall not sleep.^{(I) 36} The pit^[e] of torment shall appear, and opposite it shall be the place of rest, and the furnace of Gehenna shall be disclosed, and opposite it the paradise of delight.^{(J) 37} Then the Most High will say to the nations that have been raised from the dead, ‘Look now, and understand whom you have denied, whom you have not served, whose commandments you have despised. ³⁸ Look on this side and on that; here are delight and rest, and there are fire and torments.’ Thus he will speak to them on the day of judgment,^{(K) 39} a day that has no sun or moon or stars,^{(L) 40} or cloud or thunder or lightning, or wind or water or air, or darkness or evening or morning, ⁴¹ or summer or spring or heat or winter^[f] or frost or cold, or hail or rain or dew, ⁴² or noon or night, or dawn or shining or brightness or light, but only the splendor of the glory of the Most High, by which all shall see what has been destined.^{(M) 43} It will last as though for a week of years. ⁴⁴ This is my judgment and its prescribed order, and to you alone I have shown these things.”^(N)