regarding prophecy and doom and gloom

there is no room in real prophecy for doom or gloom.

rather the prophet says things about our dooming situation such, "oh, my dear one, look, there is this big log of greed across your chest; let's take it off so you can breathe. and look, a big wall of sloth has fallen across your legs; let's clear it off so you can walk again. now, we can wash these cuts and put salve on these bruises and you can begin to heal."

and to those who live in gloom, in the darkness, real prophecy shows the light that shines in the wilderness, that enlightens all. (indeed the gospel of john becomes a work of prophecy seen in this way.)

the book of ezekiel begins with a magnificent vision of the glory of god, and ends with a vision of the rebuilding of the temple, the temple in which we are called to be living stones.

this is a wonderfully joyous koan.