Ezekiel is overwhelmed by his vision, but God tells him that he can listen. Internalize this message. Speak to the people whether they listen to you or not. Tell them my message, and do not be afraid of them. God gives him a scroll full of suffering, and tells him to eat it, though Ezekiel is understandably reluctant.

Ezekiel has his inaugaural vision, of God traveling in His spectacular chariot. The images are fantasic and indescribable, and the prophet is overwhelmed with awe. One thing is clear, God has left the Temple, and His presence is to be found elsewhere. The vision is in babylon, signaling the exlied Jews in babylon that god's presence can be found among them, even without the Temple in Jerusalem.

A short introduction to help us put this very important work in historical context. Ezekiel is the only major prophet to address the community in exile, from the vantage point of exile.

Daniel is confused, he hears all of these visions, but he still cannot comprehend their meaning. The angel answers, that the meaning will not be comprehended by anyone until the end of days. Then and only then will all the world see those that preceded them resurrected. The righteous will shine for posterity, and the wicked will be forever shamed.

The angel continues the visions of the apocalyptic battles of the future.

The angel tells Daniel of future wars and alliances, treachery and rebellion. The cycle of history will go on for a long time.

Daniel fasts and prays as the deliverence promised by God seemed to be failing. He is answered by a vision of an angel of immense power and fire and strength. the angel says that he has been struggling on behalf of the people of Israel with the powers of Persia and will soon have to struggle with Greece as well. But only with the help of Michael will he be able to save israel. "Who is as powerful as God Himself" - that is the meaning of the name Michael, only through God will Israel and the entire world be redeemed.

According to Daniel's calculation, the seventy years of exile of babylonia should be over, but the people of Judea remain in exile. In one of the most moving prayers in the Bible, Daniel beseeches God to end teh suffering of His people. Gabriel once again appears and explains that although God is listening to his prayers, and adores them, things aren't going to be so simple.

Daniel has another vision, this one of a powerful ram being battered by a flying unicorn from the west. The imagery and the meaning of it all is explained to Daniel by the angel Gabriel.

What is this beast? What do my visions mean? Daniel approaches the angel and gets an explanation, and we learn a bit about the future course of human history.