Rising Darkness

by D. Brian Shafer

  “See to it that the others are arrested and brought down here as well,” said the king, angry at the betrayal of Daniel. He then turned to Daniel.

  “I have issued a terrible decree,” he admitted. “And now I shall issue an honorable one. Henceforth, in this kingdom, the name of Daniel’s God is to be revered—for He is the living and eternal God whose kingdom shall never end!”

  “So be it, majesty,” said Daniel, as they left the chamber together.

  Bethlehem, 4 B.C.

  Jarod jumped on Joshua, snarling like a lion and pretending to attack Kezzar-mar. The men laughed at the boy’s playful energy—particularly so late in the evening. Eli looked up at Elron, Joshua’s father.

  “That story will never wear out. It’s as good now as the first time I ever heard it from my own father.”

  “Wonderful story,” agreed Elron.

  Elron stood and surveyed the little town below them, with fewer and fewer lights in windows as people retired for the night. He looked into the fields and rubbed his eyes. It seemed almost hazy out there in the darkness—a milky, translucent haze. It must be caused by the new star, he thought to himself, although he could have sworn he actually saw some figures walking about in the darkness.

  “Some day the prophecies of Daniel shall be fulfilled,” he said to nobody in particular. “Some day Messiah shall restore this nation.”

  “Do you really believe that?” asked Daniel the shepherd, who was sincere in his question. “Do you really believe that Messiah will remember us?”

  “Daniel,” said Elron. “Messiah has never forgotten us.”

  Serus and Bakka listened with great interest to Daniel’s question. It was obvious that something was happening this night to the man’s heart. He had started the evening so bitter—so morose about anything smacking of the Lord. Now he seemed truly interested in the Messiah and had listened to Eli and the others recounting Israel’s glorious past. Gabriel arrived from his meeting with Michael.

  “Well, so is the war over?” asked Serus humorously. “Did Lucifer surrender?”

  “Hardly,” said Gabriel. “He is shadowing the Child. Michael is personally watching over the mother. They are trying to find a place to stay for the night.”

  “I think Elron can see us,” said an angel named Romus to Gabriel. “He was looking very hard into our company.”

  “Don’t worry,” said Gabriel. “Sometimes the Lord allows a human to see us. But when the time is right they all shall see us!”

  “How do humans act when they see us?” asked Romus, who was new to earthly assignments.

  “Usually they are frightened—at least until we can reassure them that we mean them no harm,” said Gabriel. “Of course the enemy also will appear to humans, posing as holy angels or friendly spirits, only to deceive them. The human mind generally will see what it wants.”

  “You have appeared to many humans,” said Serus, “delivering the Lord’s words or interpreting dreams and visions.”

  “True,” said Gabriel. “The Most High has accorded me that honor. I was deeply moved to be able to speak to Mary regarding the Child. In fact, I appeared to most of that family during the course of events. But my greatest contest came when I appeared to Daniel during the waning years of his life.”

  “Ah yes,” said Serus, “the prince of Persia.”

  “Yes,” said Gabriel, remembering it vividly. “The prince of Persia…”

  Babylon, 536 B.C.

  Daniel awoke in a cold sweat, his bed dripping from the perspiration that had overtaken him in his dream. Or was it a dream? He got up from his bed and lit the little oil lamp on the table beside him. Looking down at the bed, he scratched his head and sat down. The Lord had spoken something horrible to him—a vision of bloody warfare. But what did it mean? How should it unfold?

  Though the images were fresh in his mind, he did not understand their meaning. What was the Lord trying to tell him? He decided that he must fast and pray until he received the interpretation from the Most High. So he began that very moment to seek the Lord in this matter.

  Gabriel appeared before the Great Throne of the Lord in Heaven. It was his turn to do homage to God by raising His Most Holy name in prayer and praise. All higher-ranking angels had assembled before the Lord, as was customary. The praises were a sweet incense, filling the Temple with a fragrant aroma. The angelic choir, too, in thousands, sang praises to the Most High God, whose Throne would forever endure and whose justice was ever honorable. In their place, circled about the Throne, the 24 elders also raised hands in worship to the Most High.

  But as was also customary, Lucifer arrived to put in his appearance to accuse the Lord’s people. The Host never understood why he was given that special privilege, since his authority in Heaven had been removed. Nevertheless, his appearance, though unwanted, was not unexpected.

  Following Gabriel’s leading of praise, Lucifer walked boldly to the place where he was allowed to position himself and began bringing charges against God’s people and plans. The angels held their tongues in respect to the Most High’s obvious allowance of this accusing angel.

  They listened as Lucifer harangued one prominent person after another—Zerubbabel, who was leading the people’s efforts to rebuild the temple; Zechariah and Haggai, whose prophetic ministries were being stirred; and other notable men of God. One by one Lucifer brought sordid and unrighteous accusations before the Lord, who merely listened in silence. Finally, Lucifer brought up the name Daniel, and began to rail against him with a ferocity unseen before even in Lucifer.

  As he spoke, however, a smoky, bluish haze began to ascend around the Throne of God. All angels bowed their heads in anticipation of what was happening. Only Lucifer did not understand the meaning of this fragrant smoke. Then the Lord spoke, a thunderous voice that shook Lucifer to the ground:

  “Lucifer, thou fallen angel! These are the prayers of my servant Daniel, who seeks the meaning of a vision I have sent to him. Behold that I the Lord hear the prayers of my servants. Daniel is a man whom I hold dear, and I will not hear your accusations any further. I shall therefore send Gabriel to him with the meaning of the vision, that he might seal it up for the latter days…”

  Lucifer looked up to see all the angels, including Gabriel, prostrate before the Lord. He crept out of the room and immediately returned to earth. With only a few moments to contest the prayers of Daniel, he had decided that only one warrior in his kingdom could face the archangel.

  Rugio was at Susa where the Persian kings were building a splendid palace. Having been given lordship over this nation, Rugio had decided that the best course of action was to fill these insolent kings with a pride for personal luxury. Perhaps then he could maintain power over the occupied countries through tribute and taxation and thus keep them downtrodden and controllable.

  “Rugio!”

  “Here, my prince,” he answered.

  Lucifer came in from the west and began explaining to Rugio the situation that was about to occur.

  “Daniel is even now fasting and praying to the Most High for an interpretation that he must not receive,” he said. “It is apparently a revelation of the latter days and it is critical that there be no understanding or recording of this.”

  “Of course, my lord,” said Rugio, a bit perplexed. “But how can this stop the prophecy from happening in the latter times?”

  “Because,” said Lucifer, losing his patience, “the Lord cannot fulfill a prophecy that has neither been heard nor understood. You are prince of Persia. You have the authority to stop Gabriel from entering your territory. It is a right and an honor—and it is quite necessary if you want this kingdom to survive!”

  Rugio suddenly understood the importance of this contest. If only it were Michael, he thought to himself. But he was certain that he could stand against Gabriel. He nodded in understanding and vanished. Lucifer hoped that Rugio could indeed stand against Gabriel. He smiled to himself. After their humbling with Darius it would be quite delic
ious to see Gabriel humbled in return!

  After learning from the Most High the meaning of the vision, Gabriel hurried to find Daniel and deliver the interpretation. As he neared Babylon, where Daniel was in fasting and prayer, he suddenly began to feel a resistance, as if he were being held by an invisible grip. He stopped in the air above the city and heard laughter all around him.

  “Welcome to Babylon, Archangel,” said Rugio, who appeared before him.

  “Give way, you wicked angel,” said Gabriel. “I am on the King’s business.”

  “I too am on the business of a king,” said Rugio.

  Again, laughter as devils began to appear in the air all around the two powerful angels. Gabriel looked about at the scowling, harassing, cursing demons who were mocking both him and the Lord.

  “Give way! Give way!” one of them repeated in Gabriel’s voice.

  “He’s on the King’s business!” said another.

  Gabriel looked at Rugio sharply.

  “What is this, Rugio?” he asked finally. “You cannot prevail against the prayers of Daniel. They are what brought me here!”

  “Perhaps,” said Rugio. “But they shall also send you away from here. After I have resisted you long enough he will stop praying and you shall have to return without delivering your message.”

  Gabriel looked at him in surprise.

  “Oh, yes,” said Rugio. “We know all about the revelation you carry. It is deadly to us, and you shall not be permitted to carry it to this or any other prophet!”

  With those words, Gabriel drew out his sword and brought it down upon Rugio. Rugio moved just in time and drew his own sword. The two angels fought throughout the day, sword crashing against sword, neither angel gaining the advantage. The howling devils encouraged Rugio in the fight. Sometimes the two went to wrestling, arms locked, desperately fighting to gain ground.

  All the while Daniel continued in prayer, unaware of the great contest that was occurring overhead. Whenever Daniel became tired, Gabriel’s strength began to wane. When Daniel roused himself to continue in fervent prayer, Gabriel gained the advantage. But throughout the battle Gabriel could not overcome Rugio, who fought valiantly to keep the archangel from completing his mission.

  “I can go on like this forever,” blustered Rugio. “How about you, Archangel?”

  “I can go on as long as Daniel continues in prayer,” said Gabriel. “And he is a man who does not easily give up!”

  “We’ll soon find out,” said Rugio, who signaled Nathan, his aide. Nathan disappeared into the city. “Nathan will find out just how dedicated he really is.”

  Nathan found Daniel just as he had imagined him—seated at a table, weary, tired, weakened from the fast—and praying fervently. The man was crying out to God passionately, but he was weak of voice. Nathan saw Serus standing near him.

  “Ah, Serus,” said Nathan. “How is our man of prayer?”

  “Praying,” said Serus. “As always.”

  Serus moved to protect the man should it come to it. Nathan looked at Serus and laughed at him.

  “Don’t be a fool, Serus,” he said. “I am not here to attack the man. Merely to speak to him.”

  “It won’t do you any good,” said Serus. “He has the Lord’s mind in this.”

  “Let’s see if he can lose his mind,” said Nathan, who then began to whisper into Daniel’s mind.

  “Daniel, you must not resist any more. You have done well and now, someday, the revelation will be given to you. Therefore rest from this…”

  Daniel looked up, perceiving the voice that was speaking to him. He then continued in prayer. Nathan looked at Serus, who only smirked back.

  “Daniel! You are esteemed in my eyes. Therefore, you must stop praying for, behold, I shall answer thee in another time…”

  Daniel looked up once more. This time he started to address the voice. Nathan looked confidently at Serus, when suddenly Daniel burst out with, “You are not the Lord! I know the Lord would have me pray until I hear from Him. Now begone in the name of my Most High God!”

  Nathan was suddenly blown out of the room as if a sudden gust of wind had picked up a piece of cloth. Daniel immediately sensed the presence was gone and continued with his praying.

  Both Rugio and Gabriel also sensed something breaking forth in the heavenlies. Something had happened. Had Nathan gotten through? Had Daniel indeed given up? Rugio began to smile, and the devils howled louder than ever.

  “Well, Archangel, it looks as if one of us will have to leave the contest,” he said.

  “My thoughts exactly, Rugio,” came a strong voice breaking in from the sky.

  It was Michael.

  Rugio looked at Gabriel and Michael with fear in his eyes. The devils in the sky scattered quickly at the other archangel’s appearance. Michael only had to step into the battle and it was over. Weakened from the previous 21 days of warfare with Gabriel, Rugio was knocked away easily by one thrust of Michael’s sword. The prince of Persia disappeared into the ground.

  Gabriel found Daniel by the banks of the Tigris, still praying as he walked with a couple of servants. Daniel, whose eyes had been low, looked up and saw a man towering above him. The man was dressed in linen with a belt of fine gold around his waist. He had eyes of lightning, and his arms were like bronze.

  Daniel’s servants did not see the vision, but they sensed something uncanny and fled into the woods. Daniel continued looking at the man and then, what with the fast of 21 days and the shock of this visitation, suddenly felt very weak. He fell to the ground in a faint.

  Gabriel looked at Daniel and touched him, waking him up. Daniel sat up and saw that the man was still standing there. He rubbed his tired eyes in disbelief. Then the angel spoke.

  “Daniel, you are esteemed of the Lord. Now listen carefully, for the Lord has sent me to you to give you these words…”

  Daniel swallowed hard and stood up, trembling all the while. He looked about to see if anybody else was nearby—but they were alone.

  “Do not be afraid. Since the very first day that you began to pray I have tried to come to you. But I was resisted by the enemy, the prince over the land, for these twenty-one days. And then the Archangel Michael came and supported me so that I might come to you. And now I shall explain the meaning of the vision that concerned you…”

  Daniel bowed low in the face of such a visitation, but he was crippled of tongue and could not answer. The angel touched Daniel’s mouth and he summoned the courage to speak.

  “This vision, my lord,” Daniel began. “It is frightening. I am overcome with grief because of it. And my strength is gone. How can I bear it?”

  The angel then touched Daniel once more and imparted to him strength. Daniel felt a rush of energy and vigor flowing into his body, coursing into him like a warm substance. The angel then stepped back and began speaking:

  “Daniel, I must tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. I must tell you what the vision meant…”

  Thus Gabriel began explaining what the vision meant; what the future held for Israel; of the wars of the king of the North and the king of the South; of the Abomination of Desolation; of a great leader who would oppose the Throne of God; of the destruction of nations; of times of great distress and great deliverance.

  Gabriel spoke of these events and then told Daniel to seal up the revelation, for these were for later times, and not his own. Daniel then looked up and saw two more angels—one on the opposite side of the river and one on his own side. One of the angels called out to Gabriel, saying:

  “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”

  Gabriel, who had spoken with Daniel and was now rising above the river, lifted his hands to Heaven and said:

  “It shall be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things shall be completed!”

  Daniel, now completely himself, ran down the riverbank calling out to the angel. “But what will the
outcome be? How shall it all end?”

  The angel looked down at Daniel and said:

  “Go on, Daniel. Live a blessed life. The words are closed up and sealed until the end of time. But when the Abomination of Desolation is set up, there shall be only one thousand two hundred ninety days remaining. Go now and live the remainder of your days in peace!”

  Daniel never fully understood the words of the angel. He only knew that at the appointed time—in the endtimes—something both terrible and glorious would occur. He glanced up and down the riverbank and saw that once more he was alone. So Daniel lived out his life in Babylon, respected, blessed, and assured a great inheritance one day.

  CHAPTER 18

  “This Christ shall die a humiliating and bloody death!”

  Bethlehem, 4 B.C.

  “That terrible seal has yet to be broken,” said Gabriel. “Those and other words spoken to Daniel have not yet been fulfilled. Those things cannot happen until Messiah has come. The message to Daniel is like the words I spoke to Zechariah—of a vision of the Angel of the Lord who encouraged the people to continue building the temple that Ezra had begun. I said that they should not be discouraged that Messiah did not appear immediately when they completed it. Messiah could not appear until the times were full.”

  Bakka looked at Serus and Gabriel, realizing suddenly the significance of this evening; the importance of his mission to Daniel; the momentous event that was unfolding in Bethlehem.

  “Tonight is the night,” he almost whispered. “The Child that Micah spoke of. This is the Coming One…the Seed of the woman!”

  Gabriel looked at Bakka with compassion.

  “Yes, Bakka,” he said. “Tonight is the night. That is why the Host is gathered. Soon we shall announce to the world that a Savior has been born to them in Bethlehem.”

  Joseph found Mary where he had left her, near one of the inns that had rejected them. He was having trouble finding a place to stay, because so many people were in town for the census. She was becoming more and more discouraged; and the labor was becoming more and more intense. They needed a place, and fast.