There is a very strong link between these two statements, Revelation 1.18 and Daniel 2.21, and it is even one of the common threads linking Revelation and Daniel: the absolute sovereignty of God over human history.
Points of convergence between Revelation 1 and Daniel
- God as master of time and history
Revelation 1: God is “the one who is, who was, and who is to come” (Revelation 1.4 and Revelation 1.8). This expresses his mastery over the past, the present, and the future. Nothing escapes his control, not even death (Revelation 1.18).
Daniel : God “changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2.21). The history of empires is in his hand, even when the powers seem autonomous.
- Christ / the Son of Man as the central figure
Revelation 1.13-16: Christ appears “in the midst” of the churches, sovereign, radiant, holding the keys of death.
Daniel 7.13-14: The “Son of Man” receives from the Ancient of Days dominion, glory, and a kingdom that no one can take from him. → In both cases, the messianic figure is placed at the center of history, guaranteeing that the chaos of the nations is limited by divine sovereignty.
- The pedagogy of revelation
Revelation : The aim is to form courageous and faithful reader-listeners, aware that history is held by God.
Daniel: The visions (statue, beasts, succession of kingdoms) teach that empires pass away, but that God establishes his kingdom. → Both books aim to give assurance and hope to communities weakened by persecution or uncertainty.
- Common theological key
God controls everything (Revelation) and God sets up kings (Daniel) are two facets of one and the same conviction: human history, with its powers and its crises, is not left to chance. It is directed by the divine will, which prepares the final reign of Christ.
In summary, Revelation takes up and amplifies the message of Daniel: earthly kingdoms are temporary, but God is sovereign and his Messiah holds the ultimate authority.