From the Era of Signs to the Era of Glory — Derek Williams

From the Poustina — Laity Series — Episode 13

From the Era of Signs to the Era of Glory

Speaker Derek Williams

Date May 5, 2026

Series From the Poustina — Laity

Summary

Session 13 of Derek Williams's laity zoom series on Living in the Divine Will. The governing structural framework is the traditional division of John's Gospel into the Book of Signs (Jn 1–11) and the Book of Glory (Jn 12 onwards). Derek uses this division as a direct type for the transition our era is undergoing — from the era of signs, wonders, apparitions, and charismatic outpouring that has marked the last two centuries, into the era of the Divine Will and perfect glory. The seventh and final miracle of the Book of Signs, the raising of Lazarus, is identified as the type of the seventh millennium and the Eucharistic coming in which we now live.

The central diary teaching is from Volume 13, July 20, 1921, in which Jesus compares the Divine Will to water: hidden everywhere, permeating all things and holding the primary place in creation, yet apparently absent — until the new era arrives and the seas, rivers, and lakes of the Divine Will overflow their banks and overwhelm everything. This is set alongside the image of Divine Will pioneers building a city for the next generation through their acts: until those acts are completed, the next wave of souls cannot arrive.

The anointing at Bethany (Jn 12) opens the Book of Glory and serves as a double sign: Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus for his Passion, and Our Lady anointing the Body of Christ in our time. The connection is drawn between the foot-washing of the Last Supper ("Unless I wash you, you shall have no inheritance with me") and the necessity of bringing Jesus into the deepest wounds of the soul before the era of glory can break through.

Volume 16, November 10, 1923 is expounded at length: the vision of two great wings of all generations arrayed before the throne of God — one led by Mary, bearing the goods of redemption; the other, held hand-in-hand with Mary, led by Luisa, bearing the goods of sanctification and the Fiat Voluntas Tua. The conversion of Israel and the global spread of the Divine Will are set in this context.

The extended Q&A addresses the psychology of inner wounds — father wounds, the conscious and subconscious mind, self-knowledge and humility, the integration rather than rejection of weakness — followed by St. Thérèse of Lisieux's teaching on pride. The session concludes with a participant's reflection linking the overflow of Mary's love in the Hours of the Passion to the overflowing seas of the Divine Will, and a closing prayer to Our Lady La Vulnerata.

Topics

Divine Will Luisa Piccarreta Era of Glory John's Gospel Mary Two Little Ones Pioneer Souls Inner Healing Sanctification Fatima Israel

Reference Index

Book of Heaven — Luisa Piccarreta

Vol. 13 — Jul. 20, 1921 The Divine Will as Water

The Divine Will is hidden in all things as water is hidden in the earth — holding the primary place in creation yet apparently absent. In the new era, the seas and rivers of the Divine Will will overflow and overwhelm everything into God's will.

Vol. 16 — Nov. 10, 1923 Mary and Luisa — the Two Little Ones

Vision of two wings of all generations before the throne of God: one led by Mary bearing the goods of Redemption; the other, held by Mary's hand, led by Luisa, who is to snatch from the eternal love the Fiat Voluntas Tua on earth as in heaven.

Vol. 8 — First Entry The Act of Abandonment

Jesus tells Luisa this is the act that most pleases him, but it must be done to the degree that the soul forgets herself. Date not cited — verify in vault

Vol. 11 — Uncertain How the Soul Forgets Herself

Before each act, the soul must say: "Jesus wants to do this, so I am doing it with Jesus." This is how the act of abandonment is fulfilled. Derek uncertain of volume — verify in vault

Vol. 4 — Uncertain Resignation as the First Step

Jesus says that to resign oneself is the first step in the Divine Will; in a later volume, resignation is described as medicine for the soul. Derek uncertain of volume — verify in vault

Vol. 25 — First Entries Gathering Materials to Building

"Up to now we have been gathering the materials for the building; from now on we are going to be doing the building." The transition marker coincides with Luisa moving house. Specific date not cited

The Pebble of the Will

"There are no doors, there are no locks — all that one has to do is remove the little pebble of their own will and the Divine Will flows in at that very instant." Volume and date not cited — identify in vault

Pioneer Souls Building the City

Those living in the Divine Will are pioneers building a city through their acts; the next generation of souls cannot come until the city is ready. Volume and date not cited — identify in vault

Virgin Mary in the Kingdom of the Divine Will

Day 2

"These seas of mine are immense and seek to pour themselves out. But in order for me to pour them out, you must empty yourself of your own will and allow the Divine Will to take its second step in you..." — read aloud by a participant.

Day 5

Referenced obliquely by Derek as the current day's reading during the month of May.

The Hours of the Passion — Luisa Piccarreta

Hour 1 (5 PM)

Participant Joan cites the passage where Jesus goes to visit his Blessed Mother: "As he arrives, you run toward him with your heart overflowing with love." Joan reflects that this overflow of Mary's love is receivable by souls who fuse with Our Lady in that hour — connecting directly to the theme of the Divine Will overflowing its banks.

Scripture

Jn 11–12

The governing structural framework: the Book of Signs (Jn 1–11) and the Book of Glory (Jn 12 onwards) as a type for the transition from the era of signs to the era of the Divine Will.

Jn 11:40, 11:44

"If you believe, you will see the glory of God" — the hallmark of the seventh miracle. "The dead man came out" — Lazarus still dead in sin, a type of resurrection through the gift of the Divine Will.

Jn 12:1–8

Mary anoints Jesus at Bethany — a double sign of Our Lady anointing the Body of Christ in our time, and the threshold between signs and glory.

Jn 13:8

"Unless I wash you, you shall have no inheritance with me" — the necessity of bringing Jesus into the deepest and most shameful wounds before the Divine Will can fully operate.

Jn 6:53, 68 · Acts 2:41

The small remnant faithful after the Bread of Life discourse parallels the small Divine Will group; Pentecost — three thousand added in a day — parallels the coming overflow of the Divine Will.

Mt 6:25–33 · Mt 20:20–23

"Seek first the kingdom" — the Father's provision for those who forget themselves. The request for the seats at right and left — appointed, Derek teaches, to Mary and Luisa.

Ps 27:4 · Jn 4:22

"One thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long" — the purified desire for the Divine Will alone. "Salvation is from the Jews" — the necessity of praying for Israel and Jerusalem.

1 Cor 13:12 · 2 Cor 12:9

"Now I know partially; then I will know fully" — self-knowledge grows as we are filled with divine light. "God's power is made perfect in my weakness" — weaknesses are to be integrated as vessels for the Divine Will, not merely rejected.

Lk 24:49

"Stay in the city until you receive power from on high" — the waiting period of the present time of formation before the era of glory breaks forth.

External Sources

Miracle of the Sun, Fatima (1917)

Described as the greatest miracle since the Resurrection of the dead; Our Lady's first announcement of the era of peace; a marking point analogous to the raising of Lazarus.

Our Lady of La Salette

Mélanie (one of the two visionaries) is noted as strongly associated with Sant'Annibale di Francia and the Divine Will centre in Corato, Italy — a connection between the La Salette apparition and the origins of the Divine Will movement.

National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

Derek Williams's location; a shrine dedicated to the Fiat Mihi; part of the ancient "Dowry of Mary" tradition of East Anglia and England, traceable to the 7th–8th century.

Shrine of Our Lady of Evesham

Described as the earliest Marian shrine in England (~6th century); Our Lady appeared first to a goatherd, then — when the bishop doubted — to the bishop himself.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux

On pride: impure sins are confessed quickly and are not deeply offensive to God, because the soul repents; but acts of pride are committed constantly without repentance, and this is highly offensive to God. Slander, gossip, and criticism are indicators of the sin of pride.

Sant'Annibale di Francia (canonized 2004)

Invoked in the opening litany; instrumental in advancing Luisa's cause; the Divine Will centre in Corato is associated with his work and with Mélanie of La Salette.

La Vulnerata

Image of Our Lady held up for the closing prayer; associated with Walsingham.