Source: https://www.bertha-dudde.org/en/proclamation/3814

3814 Love and suffering as means of purification....

June 28, 1946: Book 48

Love and suffering are the only means of purification for the soul on this earth. And if the human being eliminates love, the amount of suffering has to be increased for its own sake. Yet humanity can end this state of suffering at any time or make it more bearable if it makes an effort to fulfil the divine law of love, which absolutely has to be complied with in order to establish divine order. Then the human being will also live in order on earth, he will be spared harsh suffering, for his soul matures through loving activity.... it changes itself into love, which is its actual destiny.... The soul is shrouded in darkness, it must purify itself before the light can penetrate it.... It is in complete ignorance and must eliminate all errors and defects in order to attain the right knowledge of the truth. And this purification happens through love and suffering. If the soul is of good will then it also lives with love, and the strength from God breaks through every shell of the soul, for the supply from God is a direct consequence of its own loving activity. However, if the soul fails to do so, God shall still help it, but in the form of suffering, which is intended to put the soul into a state of loving activity, which is intended to remove all harshness from it, which is intended to shape it according to God's will. Suffering is indeed a harsh means of education, but it can lead to success insofar as the soul can shed its faults, which have not allowed love to arise in it so far, arrogance, anger, hatred, as well as all hardness of heart can melt when it is affected by great suffering.... Then it can change, it can realise its weakness and powerlessness, become humble and call for help.... And it will be helped, for God is constantly ready to help because the recovery of every soul is the purpose of everything He allows to happen. Yet how much easier could people make their earthly fate if they did not disregard love, if they used the most effective means of purification.... love for God and their neighbour.... Anyone who is lovingly active and has to endure suffering at the same time will attain a high degree of maturity on earth, yet the strength from God will always and constantly support it and it will also recognise the blessing of suffering and not rebel against it. Yet individually, people could avert much suffering from themselves if only they were performing deeds of love. But as long as they lack faith in it, as long as they are hardened in their hearts and eliminate love from their lives, they will have to suffer, and this to an even greater extent the closer it gets to the end. For they do not have much time left and require the most effective means of education if the souls are to be saved from eternal damnation.... from an infinitely long time of renewed captivity inside the creations of the new earth, from which God wants to protect every soul and therefore grants it every help, which also includes the great suffering on earth. Live with love and you will reduce the suffering, yet without love no-one can become blessed....

Amen

Translated by Sven Immecke