the golden arch around jesus
"As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a Son of Man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when He reached the Ancient One and was presented before Him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship." —Daniel 7:13-14
In a vision, Daniel saw God's throne in heaven. "Thousands upon thousands were ministering to Him, and myriads upon myriads attended Him" (Dn 7:10). Angels surround God's throne and worship Him forever.
Jesus told Nathanael: "I solemnly assure you, you shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man" (Jn 1:51). Angels surround Jesus and center their activity on Him. The angels center on Jesus as they center on God's throne. Angels are by definition "messengers." All their messages are directed to the ultimate message: "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD," that is, God (Phil 2:11).
John, like Daniel, saw "an open door to heaven" (Rv 4:1). He saw God's throne, and he "heard the voices of every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea; everything in the universe cried aloud: 'To the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever!' " (Rv 5:13) Jesus is the Lamb of God, Who is God. All angels and all creation exist to worship Him.
Like the angels, we should always think of ourselves on the periphery and Jesus as the Center, Lord, and God. "In the presence of the angels" (Ps 138:1), worship Jesus.
Prayer: Father, in the Holy Spirit, I throw my life at Jesus' feet and worship Him.
Promise: "Now have salvation and power come, the reign of our God and the authority of His Anointed One." —Rv 12:10
Praise: Teenage Warren played the part of St. Raphael in a play. Before the production, Warren prayed a novena to Raphael asking for the grace to touch hearts through the performances.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, February 13, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 20, 2001