Source: https://www.bertha-dudde.org/en/proclamation/1380

1380 Unbearable hardship....

April 10, 1940: Book 23

A little while longer and an almost unbearable hardship will befall the earth. This is the beginning of an epoch in which man will again become more aware of his actual purpose, because this trouble lets him find God, but also lets him remain with him in more distant times. And this adversity will express itself in very different forms, yet higher powers will always be the cause, thus the human being will never be able to avert or reduce the adversity by his own strength. And thus people will find the path to God sooner than before, and this is why the lord imparts His word to the human being so that he will have a foothold in this time of adversity, so that he will be strengthened by this word and draw strength from it for the time of severe trials. And again it has to be said that only where the divine word is received.... where the light from heaven shines.... a noticeable relief from earthly hardship will come to light. Man will be able to reduce his state of suffering if his will is directed towards God. This is the first and last reason why God allows such hardship to pass over the earth. And no country will be spared from it, all people will have to endure suffering because the meaning and purpose of suffering is the return to God, because the thoughts which have separated themselves from God shall turn to Him again. Yet the lord promises His protection to those who love Him.... And if faith in this promise is strong, a person will emerge from all tribulation unscathed in body and soul. The father in heaven Himself takes care of this child and guides it through all dangers. It is now clearly evident that only turning to God brings salvation from the most severe adversity, however, not all people bow to divine will, not all people draw the consequences and reduce their distance from God.... Rather, their will is increasingly focussed on regaining earthly possessions and restoring their former state of life. And so the great adversity has not brought about any change in their thinking, the will to matter, to evil, has become considerably stronger, but the thought of God has been minimized or completely eliminated. Trying to bring the word of God to such people is unsuccessful. There is no other way to convince them of the transience of earthly possessions, and if the complete decay of entire stretches of land has not made them realize this clearly enough, any reference is in vain.... The inclination towards matter is greater and can hardly be overcome on earth. Again, however, the desire for this cannot at the same time trigger a desire for God and His word. Consequently, the human being will reject the latter. And this state is far more desolate than before because even the last means of help has failed and the human being cannot be hindered in his free will. These are the souls that satan has completely in his power, only prayer for such people can exert a transforming influence, provided that deep love for those unfortunate people wants to free them from the misery of the soul....

Amen

Translated by Doris Boekers