My eyes were burning with the fire of the visions. My mind reeled as the drama played out before me. My life had been a drama played out before the ages, I was an exile, subject to an alien king; I was his adviser, and a leader of men. Although I served my king, I always sought the Lord and followed His Law, whatever the cost – because God is my judge.
Like the Wing Feathers of a Dove
Now the vision darkens, the fever grows hotter, and I strain to see the One who approaches. There is a sound, no, perhaps it is not a sound, it must be a movement of wings, so gentle that it is more touch than sound. What are the beings who move in this heavenly court? They are powerfully present, but I do not know what sense I have to perceive them. I see them like I see shafts of sunlight, hear them as I might hear the music of the harp, I feel their touch like the wing feathers of a dove and their fragrance passes over me like a scent carried on the wind. Only when I let go of the struggle to see, hear, and sense them, only when I turn my mind back to God the Most High, only then do I really see and understand them. They are the beings of His heavenly court, they are His beauty, His music and His praise, His Goodness, and His glory; they are His angels.
Now, with my inner eye I see more easily, and these courtiers are bearing thrones for royal Persons. And now the One who is the Most High, the Most Power, the Most Beauty, the First and the Most Ancient takes His place on the throne. The light from that place is so bright that my eyes are darkened but by closing them and turning my mind to His will I can look at Him. He is all light, His clothes and His hair shining with the brilliance of a thousand stars. Even the throne beneath Him throws light out across the night sky.
His heavenly courtiers flow around Him in a dance of joy and adoration. Each one moves in an ecstasy of praise, bending towards the glory which draws their radiant brightness into even greater light. They are as one being as they gather around the Lord and yet they are a thousand thousand beings and ten thousand times ten thousand, who attend Him.
Daniel Gazes
Now I am no longer looking. I am gazing into the night, plunging deep into my inner vision, and flying out across the sky in longing. There is Another! I cannot see You; I cannot hear You, You are a mystery to me, oh let me see your face!
One Like a Son of Man
I tremble with joy and holy fear before the presence of the Holy One of Israel. The fear that grips me comes from the shock of recognition. I gaze as in a mirror – You are in human form! You are dressed in gold and fine linen, like a Bridegroom coming to His wedding feast. You are all beauty and all goodness! A symphony of praise pours out as the voices sing higher and higher. You approach the Lord Most High, the Ancient One, You honor Him and as the glory and honor flows from You to Him and Him to You.
Daniel Proclaims
Listen to what I have heard, see what I have seen. The One who comes – I do not know Him. I do not know yet, but I see He comes in human form. And the Most High God has given Him ‘dominion and glory and kingship. That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away. And his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.’
A Future Echo
I hear an echo from the future. It is Nathaniel. One in whom there is no guile, a son of Israel like me, who recognizes You and names You:
‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’
Beautiful! A joy to read.