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Never in our whole lives, when we sinned, did we think about what we would have to suffer after death."
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The angel replied, "Here is the meaning of the conflict that every person on earth must endure:
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If he is defeated, he must suffer the things you have just told me about, but if he is victorious, he will receive the rewards that I have just mentioned.
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That is why Moses long ago urged the people to choose life so that they might live.
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But they did not believe him or the prophets who came after him, and they did not believe me when I spoke to them.
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So the sadness over their destruction is nothing compared to the great joy over the salvation of those who believe."
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I answered, "Sir, I know that God Most High is spoken of as merciful because he shows mercy to those who have not yet entered this world.
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He is called compassionate because he shows compassion to those who repent and obey his Law.
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He is thought of as patient because he is patient with his own creatures who have sinned.
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He is known as generous because he prefers to give rather than to demand.
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And he is known as very forgiving because he continues to forgive sinners of the past, present, and future.