When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
The Prophet Daniel saw these amazing mysteries in mystical visions which he could only describe to his fellow Israelites.
What they meant, how they might come about, and when; neither he nor anyone else could explain. Who was this mysterious Son of man? Where did he come from? How shall we recognize the Messiah when he appears? How should we prepare to greet him? What will he do for us? Daniel could not answer any of these questions. But he and his readers knew the visions of the night were important and must be remembered by every succeeding generation. If parents fail to tell their children about them, their children will not know the Lord or obey his law. Their long history of suffering, relief, and redemption will have been for naught.
The Evangelists received Daniel's vision and studied the life of Jesus with them. He fit! He was, as he had said, "the Son of man." Because of his horrific death on a cross and because of his glorious resurrection, "dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him." The Seer John of Patmos especially remembered how Mary's risen son fit the description and linked the visions with the man in his Revelation.
When the disciples Peter, James, and John witnessed his astounding appearance as he spoke with Moses and Elijah, they could only resolve that this is too important to forget. They could not build a shrine to him on this very spot; that was clearly what neither God nor Jesus wanted. For they had also heard very clearly, (perhaps in response to Peter's impetuous outburst,) "Listen to him!"
Not a shrine with its infrastructure of roads, parking lots, cafeterias, and gift shops! But listen to him. And don't just remember what he said, although that's certainly important. Listen to him every day of your life and teach your children and grandchildren to do the same, for he is risen from the dead. He remains with us and will not go away. Your shrine will be people who remember, know, and love him forever.
But rest assured: You might go away to indulge your stupidity; your children might forget this incident in their foolishness; but the Lord will not forget you. He will speak and you will hear him speak whether you like it or not. If you welcome his word it will delight your heart and ease your anxiety. If you do not listen, his word will torment you. And you might even suppose his word is punishing you as you fear for your life and your world.
But they are words of eternal life. Listen to him.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.