Daniel and Revelation: Fulfilled Prophecy and First-Century Hope

Two Books, One Prophetic Thread

The books of Daniel and Revelation are two of the most discussed and debated writings in all of Scripture. Both overflow with symbols, visions, and time markers. Because of this, many believers struggle to see how the two books connect. But when we read them through the lens of partial preterism, a clear pattern emerges. The visions of Daniel are not abandoned or rewritten in Revelation; they are brought to fulfillment.

Jesus, Peter, and Paul all spoke of events that would happen in their generation. Revelation echoes this urgency. Daniel set the prophetic foundation, especially with his visions of four kingdoms and the coming of God’s kingdom. Revelation builds on that foundation, showing how the final pieces fell into place.

When we compare the books carefully, we find consistency in symbols, timing, and outcomes. Both books call us to faithfulness during pressure. Both show God’s control over empires and judgment. And both find their greatest fulfillment in Christ and His kingdom.

In this article, we’ll explore how Daniel and Revelation fit together. We’ll walk through key passages, show their harmony, and explain how many of these prophecies were fulfilled in the first century.

The Four Kingdoms of Daniel and the Beast in Revelation

Daniel’s vision of four kingdoms (Daniel 2 and 7) sets the stage for Revelation’s later images. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar sees a great statue made of different materials:

Daniel 2:32–33

“The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.”

These parts represent a succession of kingdoms. Most scholars agree they are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Daniel’s later vision in chapter 7 matches this timeline with four beasts rising from the sea.

Daniel 7:3

“And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.”

These beasts correspond to the statue’s metals, ending with a terrifying fourth beast—Rome. Revelation picks up this exact imagery.

Revelation 13:1

“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads... and to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.”

John’s beast blends the earlier ones. This symbolizes Rome as the final earthly kingdom before God’s full judgment comes. The beast is not a new vision but an expansion of Daniel’s fourth beast. It rules with terror and opposes the saints. Yet it cannot overcome them.

Because Daniel’s fourth kingdom aligns with Rome, and Revelation’s beast also aligns with Rome, we see that the timeline is consistent. The church faced Rome’s persecution in the first century. This beast, active during John’s lifetime, matches both prophecy and history.

The Time of the End: Not the End of Time

One of the most important points for comparing Daniel and Revelation is the use of time. Many readers assume these books speak about the end of the world. But Daniel is clear about “the time of the end,” not the end of time.

Daniel 12:4

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end.”

Daniel’s visions were sealed because they were for a later generation. But Revelation speaks of things that must “soon take place.”

Revelation 22:10

“Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.”

This contrast is powerful. Daniel is told to seal his book. John is told not to. The implication is clear. The events in Revelation were near to John’s readers. They were not thousands of years away. This fits perfectly with Jesus’ statements in Matthew 24:

Matthew 24:34

“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”

When we read Daniel and Revelation together, we see that Daniel’s “time of the end” becomes John’s “near” fulfillment. The fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 marked a major shift in God’s covenant dealings. It was not the end of time, but it was the end of the old covenant age.

The Abomination of Desolation and the Great Tribulation

Daniel introduces a mysterious phrase: “the abomination of desolation.” Jesus quotes it directly in His warning to the early church.

Daniel 9:27

“And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Matthew 24:15

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel... then let those who are in Judea flee.”

Jesus interprets Daniel’s prophecy. He places the fulfillment in His generation. The abomination is tied to the destruction of Jerusalem. Revelation echoes this judgment in the fall of “Babylon the great.”

Revelation 18:2

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons...”

Babylon is a symbol, not a city on the Euphrates. The evidence within Revelation points to Jerusalem, the city where the Lord was crucified (Revelation 11:8), as the symbolic Babylon. The judgments described in the book—plagues, trumpet blasts, and bowls of wrath—culminate in the destruction of that great city.

So Daniel’s “abomination” marks the beginning of a final judgment. Revelation shows the outcome. Together, they present one story of covenant judgment fulfilled in the first century.

The Son of Man and the Coming of the Kingdom

Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man coming with the clouds is central to both books.

Daniel 7:13–14

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man... And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom.”

Jesus quotes this passage during His trial.

Matthew 26:64

“...you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

This is not about Jesus returning at the end of time. It is about Him coming in judgment and receiving authority from the Father. Revelation confirms this.

Revelation 1:7

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him...”

The cloud imagery in Daniel and Revelation speaks of divine judgment, not a physical descent. In the Old Testament, God “came on the clouds” to judge Egypt, Nineveh, and other nations. The same language is used here. Jesus came in judgment against the generation that rejected Him. This coming was not in the distant future but in their lifetime.

So Daniel and Revelation both show the Son of Man receiving His kingdom, bringing judgment, and establishing His reign. These are not different stories—they are one fulfillment.

Conclusion: One Story, One Fulfillment

When we study Daniel and Revelation side by side, we begin to see a single prophetic story. Daniel provides the blueprint. Revelation confirms the building is finished. They do not point to the end of the world but to the end of an age. That age—the old covenant system centered on temple worship—was brought to a close in AD 70.

Revelation is not a rewrite of Daniel. It is the unveiling of how Daniel’s visions were fulfilled. Jesus came as the Son of Man, received His kingdom, judged the old order, and reigns now.

Both books challenge us to stay faithful. They remind us that God’s plans are never late. His prophecies are true, His timing is perfect, and His kingdom will never be shaken.