Uriel tells Esdras that God will send a Messiah. After 400 years, the Messiah will die, as will everyone else--the world will be turned back into primeval silence. Seven days later, the Most High will judge. No more compassion or patience. The pit of torment shall appear, and opposite it shall be the place of rest; the furnace of hell shall be disclosed, and opposite it the paradise of delight.
Esdras exclaimed, "Who hasn't sinned? Who hasn't transgressed your covenant?"
Uriel said, "Listen to me. That's why the Most High has made two worlds not just one." He then offered a metaphor, "If you have only a few precious stones, would you add to them lead and clay?" Ezra told him "Of course not." "So," Uriel told him to ask the earth why she has produced more silver than gold, and bronze more than silver, and iron more than bronze, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.
Uriel continued, "Judge for yourself which things are precious and desirable, those that are abundant or those that are rare. God will save a few, because they are the ones who have honored God.
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