Signs of the Times  

         "....Here begins the prologue of the fifth book of heavenly revelations which is called the Book of Questions:

     ....Here begins the fifth book of Christ's heavenly revelations to blessed Birgitta of the kingdom of Sweden.  It is deservedly entitled the Book of Questions because it proceeds by means of questions to which Christ the Lord gives wonderful solutions....


     "...Again the religious appeared, standing on his rung of the ladder as before and saying:  "O Judge, I ask you: Why did you hide your nativity, except for a very few?

    ",,,,,As to why I did not show my nativity to mankind, I answer:  Although the devil lost the dignity of his previous rank, he did not lose his knowledge, which he possesses for the testing of the good and for his own confusion.  Therefore, in order that my human nature might grow and reach the predetermined time, the mystery of my pity had to be concealed from the devil because I willed to come in secrecy to make war on the devil and because I chose to be despised in order to subdue the arrogance of mankind....But if I had come with great power and honor, how then would the proud have been humbled?  Ot will the proud now enter heaven?  Not at all!  And so, I came humbly in order that man might learn humility and I hid myself from the proud because they wished to understand neither my divine justice nor themselves."


     "....Why does a wicked man die a good death like the just; and the just sometimes a bad death like the unjust?
     
      "....I answer:  The wicked sometimes have certain good traits and do certain works of justice for which they are to be repaid int he present.  Similarly too, the just sometimes do certain bad things for which they are to be scourged in the present, or they should be expected to be.  Therefore, because at present, all things are uncertain and all things are reserved for the future and because there is one entrance for all, therefore there must also be one exit for all; for it is not the exit but the life that makes a man blessed.  However, the fact that the wicked meedt with an exit like that of the just is a result of my divine providence, for they themselves desired that exit.  The devil, foreseeing the exits of his friends, sometimes foretells to them their time of death to cause in them presumption and vainglory and the deception--that after death they will be praised as if they were just.  On the other hand, the just sometimes meet with lamentable exit for their own greater merit, so that they who, in their lifetime, always were careful about the virtues, may through a contemptible death fly free to heaven--insofar as not even offscourings would be found in need of cleansing.....Therefore, let each one fear to examine my jusgments; for even as I am incomprehensible in virtue and power, so am I terrible in my plans and my judgments.  Indeed, some who wished to comprehend me in their wisdom have failed in their hope."

    "...Why do you allow yourself to be blasphemed and falsehood to prevail over truth?

    "...I answer:  It is written that when King David eluded his son's persecution, a certain man cursed him on the way; and when his servants wanted to kill that man, David prophibited them for a double reason:  first, because he had hope of returning; second, because he considered his own weakness and sin, the foolishness of the curser and God's patience and goodness towards himself.  Figuratively, I am David.  Man truly persecutes me with his evil deeds--as the servant persecuted his lord--casting me out of my kingdom, ie., out of his soul, which I created and which is my kingdom.  then he rebukes me for being unjust in judgment and even blasphemes me becauseI am patient.  Indeed, because I am meek, I suffer their foolishness; and because I am a judge, I await their conversion even to the very last moment.  Finally, because man believes falshood rather than truth--loving the world more than me, his God--it is therefore no wonder if the wicked man is tolerated in his wickedness, for he wills neither to seek the truth nor to recover from his evil...."

    The Son of God speaks:   "When there is a fire in the house, it is necessary to have a venthole through which the smoke can go out so that the inhabitant may enjoy the warmth.  Thus, for everyone who desires to keep my Spirit and my divine grace, frequent confession is useful so that through it, the smoke of sin may escape.  For although my divine Spirit is in itself unchangeable, nevertheless, it quickly withdraws from the heart that is not guarded by humble confession."

                                             (Excerpts from "Birgitta of Sweden-Life and Revelations")