The vision of the one
in white, the beasts,
the son of man, the vision
arriving in a dream,
a dream or nightmare
ending well but still
terrifying., a singular
vision used to explain
what was to come,
what is still to come,
a revelation renewed
six hundred years
later, an arc of prophecy,
an alpha and omega
bridging then and now.
And all in a dream.
Photograph by Daniel Olah via Unsplash. Used with permission.
It begins as a dream,
a vision, a declaration
of what is to come,
in the three parts.
First, the throne, where
one in white and fire
takes his seat,
surrounded by servants
by the thousands.
Second, the beast killed,
destroyed, to be burned
by fire. The rest are
rendered powerless but
not destroyed.
Third, a son of man
is presented to the one
in white; he is given
dominion that cannot
be destroyed.
Photograph by Drew Beamer via Unsplash Used with permission.
After the four beasts,
I looked to see,
and what I saw was
no game of thrones,
but thrones being placed
in deadly earnest,
arranged to allow him
to take his seat, him
with his electric-white hair,
the ancient one, of days,
the wheels of his throne
on fire, fire streaming
before him, him served
by millions, him now
facing billions standing
before him, awaiting
judgment.
Court is now in session,
the Ancient of Days presiding,
The books are opened;
judgment is on the menu.
First to fall is the beast,
killed, destroyed, consumed
by fire. The other beasts are
stripped of authority, of power,
to await the judgment to come.
Photograph by Monil Andharia via Unsplash. Used with permission.
The clouds of heaven
accompany the one
like a song of man
presented before
the thrones, presented
to the Ancient of Days,
given dominion,
given glory,
given the kingdom
of all peoples,
of all nations,
of all languages,
a kingdom to serve
him, the son,
forever, everlasting,
imperishable,
indestructible.
He is like a son
of man, gaining
his inheritance.
Photograph by Luca Bravo via Unsplash. Used with permission.
