Bible Connections 29: Revelation and Old Testament

Revelation is not written in code. It is written in Old Testament.
Daniel 7 has two separate figures - the Ancient of Days on his throne, and one like a son of man who comes with the clouds. In Revelation 1, John merges them. The description he gives of Christ takes features from both.
The cloud-riding itself is borrowed. It is a title used of Yahweh four times in the Old Testament, and a fifth time of Daniel's son of man. John is not inventing imagery. He is recombining it, and he expects readers who recognise the parts.
Scripture links:
- Daniel 7:9-14 - the Ancient of Days, and one like a son of man given dominion.
- Revelation 1 - the vision of the risen Christ, drawn from both figures.
If Revelation feels strange, the problem is usually not Revelation. It is that we have not read what it is quoting.