Page 173 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

reconciliation for iniquity. Can it be that He will fulfill the ancient type of sacrifice
that comes from the days of Abel by a death of atonement and go for a season to
Sheol? ‘Thou wilt not leave my soul in Sheol neither wilt Thou suffer thine holy one

to see corruption,’ said David for Messiah.
“I think it must be so, King Cyrus, I think Messiah will die and rise again to life.
There will be a time when he will go into obscuration, then flame forth again in
universal victory and power!”

“When you tell me of these wonderful things, O Daniel, I have a strange feeling of
indifference about my own kingship and this worldly empire over which I am placed,”
said Cyrus. “I only desire to see the days of Messiah and to behold His glory! I shall
be content to hold a small and obscure place. If I may but participate in that future

Kingdom.”
“You will certainly be there, King Cyrus, for you are Jehovah’s Shepherd here and
now. It is sure the Kingdom of Persia will not continue long. The Angel showed me
that under the figure of a ram, the Medo-Persian empire will be smitten by a rough

goat of the West, the king of Grecia, who will in turn himself be overthrown and
destroyed. But it will not be in your day, O King!”

Cyrus squeezed the hand of Daniel at these words but made no comment.

“I cannot tell you of all of my visions. They are written in the scroll, but I must tell
you of the most precious experience of all. It was in your third year as King of Persia
while Darius still reigned here. I was greatly exercised in spirit and had deep sorrow
of heart, so much so that I fasted for three weeks in seclusion by the Tigris river, when

I saw the theophany of Messiah Himself and heard His voice speak to me. It is written
in the scroll. But He was inexpressibly glorious and kind and He told me also that I,
Daniel, am ’a man greatly beloved.’ I was bowed in sleep and my face toward the
ground, but he brought me up on my hands and knees and spoke wonderful words to

me. I rejoice that I shall shortly see Him again—yes, very, very shortly, King Cyrus. I
could wish that you might accompany me!
“As it has seemed to me that Messiah Himself must die and rise again to reign, it
has been clearly made known to me by the Angel that those that sleep in the dust of

the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame. Those
who have trusted in Jehovah and His Messiah shall be raised to joy and life and the
rest shall be consigned to eternal perdition.

“As wickedness increases the righteous will be purified in the fires of persecution.
A king of fierce countenance but of great brilliance will arise to control the nations
and defy Jehovah and make war with the saints. He will overthrow all worship of the
Lord and set himself up as an object of worship—an abomination of desolation. It
seems that this period of extreme wickedness on earth will last 3 1/2 years or 1260

days, and will be terminated by the glorious advent of Messiah.”