Heavenly glory of Jesus

In the first year of reign of King Darius, Daniel got enlightenment from the prophecy written by Jeremiah concerning Jerusalem-his people-that God would accomplish, seventy years in the desolation of Jerusalem because they did not obey the law of the Lord regarding Sabbath. When Daniel understood the prophecy, he became exceedingly sorrowful because of his intense love for his own people; so he interceded for his people Israel with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. He made confession of sins not only on their behalf; he was humble enough to confess his own sins also (Dan.9:20) and he was seeking forgiveness from God in prayer.

His prayer was not even finished, when God sent His angel Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God (Luk.1:19). He flew swiftly to Daniel to give what – riches/honour/wealth/fame? No. He was sent forth to Daniel by God to give Daniel the skill to understand the vision (wisdom and knowledge). The most important thing, when Daniel began his supplications in prayer, was the command from God to Gabriel to tell Daniel the answer? No. Because, seventy years of desolation of Jerusalem was determined (Dan.9:24). There will be no change in it.  Then, what was the message? A very special message! Yes, God sent His main angel Gabriel from heaven to tell Daniel that ‘He is greatly beloved’. In the midst of judgment for transgressors, God had honour, love and compliment for his beloved Daniel. Same compliment was spoken by an angel often. What God is thinking about us is far more precious and important when the world tags us wrongly.

Years later, in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, Daniel got understanding of the message and had understanding of the vision. Message of seventy years was true, but the appointed time was long.  When he got understanding about the message and vision, he was discouraged, sorrowful, sad, disappointed, and he mourned for full three weeks. But as he was greatly beloved, somebody came down from heaven to encourage him and to reveal His glory to Daniel for a few minutes or seconds (not sure). Who was He! He was none other than our Lord Jesus Himself, in His magnificent heavenly glory.

After three weeks, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, when he was by the side of the great river Tigris, he saw

• A certain man clothed in linen,
• whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! 
• His body was like beryl,
• his face like the appearance of lightning,
• his eyes like torches of fire,
• his arms and feet like burnished bronze in colour, and
• the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.(10:1-6).

Power, might, brightness, awe and effect of Glorified Lord was so heavy that the men who were with Daniel did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

To Daniel, when he saw this great vision, no strength remained in him; for his vigour was turned to frailty in him, and he retained no strength. First, Daniel saw His awesome glory and then he heard the sound of His Words. Then Daniel says that I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. (I think, he became unconscious.) He fell on his face to the ground before the glory of our Christ.

Same thing happened to Ezekiel when he saw the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when he saw it, he fell on his face, and then he heard a voice of One speaking His Word. (Ezek.1:28)

Many years later, on the island of Patmos, John the disciple experienced something similar to the above visions.  John saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, 

• Clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 
• His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow,
• His eyes like a flame of fire; 
• His feet  like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace,
• His voice as the sound of many waters; 
• He had in His right hand seven stars, 
• Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, 
• His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 

When John saw Him, he fell at His feet as dead. The Lord laid His right hand on John and spoke to him His Word again. (Rev.1:12-18)

When Lord’s magnificent glory was revealed to God’s prophet, servant, disciple, they fell on their faces unto His awesome powerful glory like dead and without any strength and then they heard His voice i.e. His Word / message.

Let us also, as His people, ask for His glory to be revealed to us, no matter even if we fall on our face like dead, or without any strength unto His glory; He will revive and strengthen us by His eternal Word. God bless.

 ~Anjali Jose