Page 172 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

land and kept by the Jewish fathers.
“But may I first inquire, O King, whether you have seen the two Hebrews who
will lead those who will be repatriated to Jerusalem?”

“Yes, they appeared before me yesterday after they had seen you. I was greatly
impressed with them both. Sheshbazzar resigned his satrapy and asked that a
successor be appointed. It is a real sacrifice to me that the empire will lose such an
excellent official. Were it not for the Divine mission upon which he goes, I should be

tempted to bring him in to be third president, as we shall elevate Aspatha to take over
your post as Chief President. But we must seek another,” said the King.
“I should recommend Metach, one of the oldest and ablest of our satraps. He was
all along saturated in Bel worship and told me recently of his former resentment

against me and of his attendance upon the meetings of conspiracy against me called by
Parmashta and Adalia. He did not, however, participate in the conspiracy and when
Jehovah delivered me from the lions, he himself turned to our God and has lately been
my warm friend and loyal supporter.” After these words Daniel stopped to rest and the

King put in; “I shall bear this in mind and send for Metach to come to interview me.”
“The hope of Israel, O Cyrus, is the coming of Messiah. The visions that I have
seen have been of the future of Israel and of the nations. But most blessed of all
visions are the ones that I have seen of Messiah. He it is, who being one with Jehovah-

Elohim Himself will one day rule and reign over the nations after all sin and iniquity
will be brought to an end. His Kingdom shall be and everlasting kingdom that shall
not pass away.”

Cyrus sat in silence as the patriarch spoke with steady voice. It seemed as though
the breath needed for speech came in a smooth flow and he did not pant or gasp. He
would only pause at given intervals for rest.
“Apparently there is to be a mystic period of seventy heptads—weeks of years—

that must elapse dating from the issuance of your decree to restore and build
Jerusalem. These 70 heptads are divided into three sections of seven, sixty-two and
one. There may be intervals between these periods of forty-nine, four hundred and
thirty-four, and seven years. Messiah will appear after the first two measures for years,

the sixty-nine weeks, have run their course. But the vision and prophecy will not be
sealed nor this Most Holy One finally anointed until the last seven years have run.
“The Arch-Angel Gabriel having come directly to me from the Throne of the Most

High, told me of these years and periods and I trembled and shook in his holy
presence. But, O King Cyrus, he told me that I was greatly beloved’ of Jehovah.” At
these words the patriarch paused again and a heavenly glory shone from his face, and
tears of joy glistened in his eyes.
“But somehow it seems that this Messiah, whom I otherwise saw as the Son of

Man coming to the Ancient of Days, must be ‘cut off having nothing’ before the time
of his final anointing. He must finish transgression and make an end of sins and make