Daniel and Revelation: Twin Apocalyptic Visions
Quick Summary
Daniel and Revelation are the Bible’s two great apocalyptic books. Written centuries apart, both use vivid symbolism—beasts, thrones, cosmic battles, and the promise of God’s victory—to reveal God’s hidden purposes in history. Daniel looks ahead to the coming kingdom of God during times of exile, while Revelation unveils the triumph of Christ for persecuted believers under Rome. Together, they give us “twin apocalyptic visions” that point beyond present suffering to God’s final justice and restoration.
Introduction: Why Daniel and Revelation Belong Together
When most people think about apocalyptic literature, their minds go straight to Revelation. Yet Revelation did not appear in a vacuum—it echoes and builds on the visions found in the book of Daniel. From beasts rising out of the sea to thrones in heaven, these two books share imagery, structure, and purpose. Both call God’s people to endure faithfully, even when empires loom large. See also my overview of apocalyptic literature and how to read it. Citation: John J. Collins, The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature, 3rd ed. (Eerdmans, 2016), p. 61.
Structure and Setting: From Exile to Empire
Daniel was written during a time when God’s people were living under foreign rule, with visions spanning Babylon, Persia, and beyond. Revelation, centuries later, was written to Christians suffering under Roman persecution. The shared structure is striking: both use visions that peel back the curtain on history, showing empires for what they are and assuring the faithful of God’s sovereignty. For more on the Roman world that shaped Revelation, see Life Under Roman Rule. Citation: G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text (Eerdmans, 1999), pp. 45–46.
Shared Imagery: Beasts, Thrones, and Judgment
Daniel 7’s four beasts rise out of the sea—empires that terrorize God’s people—before God, the Ancient of Days, takes His throne in judgment. Revelation 13 echoes this with its beast from the sea and beast from the land, mocking God but destined for defeat. Both visions shift the reader’s focus from earthly chaos to heaven’s courtroom, reminding us that God holds the final word. You can see more on this theme in my reflection on the Ancient of Days and my breakdown of symbols in Revelation. Citation: Collins, The Apocalyptic Imagination, pp. 92–94.
The “Son of Man” Figure: A Shared Hope
In Daniel, the “one like a son of man” comes with the clouds of heaven, receiving dominion and glory from the Ancient of Days. Revelation directly connects Jesus with this vision. Christ appears as the Son of Man walking among the lampstands (Rev. 1:13) and later as the victorious King. This shared imagery assures believers that the kingdom is not in the hands of the beasts but given to the Son. For more on Jesus’ self-identification, see my study on Why Jesus is called Son of God and Son of Man. Citation: Richard Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation (Cambridge University Press, 1993), pp. 29–30.
Numbers, Time, and the End of Days
Both Daniel and Revelation use symbolic numbers—three and a half years, seventy weeks, 1,260 days, 1,000 years. These numbers don’t function as calendars for speculation but as theological symbols of completeness, limitation, and God’s control over time. My post on Numbers in Revelation unpacks these patterns more fully. Citation: Beale, The Book of Revelation, pp. 161–163.
Daniel’s Stone and Revelation’s New Jerusalem
Daniel 2 shows a stone cut “not by human hands” striking the statue of world empires, becoming a mountain that fills the earth. Revelation ends with the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, filling creation with God’s glory. Both books point to God’s kingdom as the final word—not the empires of Babylon or Rome. For more, see my posts on the Tree of Life in Revelation 22 and Why Revelation is a Book of Hope. Citation: Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation, pp. 134–136.
A Call to Endurance and Hope
Daniel’s faithful remnant—Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel himself—stood firm under empire. Revelation echoes this with its call to “overcome” (Rev. 2–3), urging believers to hold fast to Christ despite persecution. The victory belongs not to the beast but to the Lamb who was slain and yet lives. For reflection on this theme, read my article on Overcoming in Revelation. Citation: Collins, The Apocalyptic Imagination, pp. 255–256.
Comparing Daniel and Revelation
| Theme | Daniel | Revelation |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Context | Exile under Babylon & Persia | Persecution under Rome |
| Beasts | Four beasts from the sea (Daniel 7) | Beast from sea & land (Revelation 13) |
| Heavenly Vision | Ancient of Days on the throne | Throne room vision in heaven (Revelation 4–5) |
| Messianic Figure | “One like a son of man” (Daniel 7:13–14) | Christ as Son of Man & Lamb |
| Kingdom Outcome | Stone becomes mountain filling earth | New Jerusalem fills creation |
FAQs
Q: Why do Daniel and Revelation use so much symbolism?
A: Symbols allow apocalyptic writers to speak about God’s purposes beyond the surface of history. Beasts, numbers, and visions cloak radical truths in imagery that transcends their immediate time. Citation: Collins, The Apocalyptic Imagination, p. 78.
Q: Should Daniel and Revelation be read literally?
A: Both books use imagery, not literal description. The beasts were never meant as zoology but as theology—images of human empires in rebellion against God. Citation: Beale, The Book of Revelation, pp. 52–53.
Q: How do these books encourage believers today?
A: By pointing beyond empires and suffering to God’s final victory. They remind us that history is not random; the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ (Rev. 11:15). Citation: Bauckham, Theology of Revelation, p. 137.
