Scripture Study for

The scene from Daniel draws on ancient motifs to depict the final  triumph of God’s power over hostile, chaotic forces. The time of  persecution comes to an end when God (“the Ancient of Days”)  sets up thrones of judgment against those who have brought chaos  to the earth (Daniel 7:1–12). At this time, a figure “like a Son of  man,” that is, with human features, appears on a chariot of clouds.  From God this figure receives dominion over the whole earth. As the  Jewish tradition developed, this image came to be associated with an  expected Messiah who would establish and rule over the kingdom  of God on earth. It was in this sense that “the Son of Man” was  understood by many in the first century. 

The book of Revelation was intended to inspire faith in the final  victory of God and the Anointed One—the Christ—over the forces  of evil that had been persecuting Christians. Thus, the book begins  with a vision of Christ as the victorious and supreme sovereign,  whose power extends through space and time. Key themes of the  book are sounded here. Jesus is the “faithful witness” who was  obedient to God even to death. Resurrected, he is the first of many  who will be raised. The work of Christ is a work of love, which seeks  to free those whom he loves from all bondage, beginning with sin.  As God’s Christ, he is forming a people to give glory to God. The  final section, which draws on the vision in Daniel, connects Christ to  Jewish messianic expectations.

Pontius Pilate and the Romans were concerned about Jesus and his  actions only because they believed them to be connected with political  insurrection against the Empire. Was Jesus claiming to be the king  of the Jews in an attempt to establish a Jewish state? Pilate wants to  know what Jesus’ intentions are. Jesus affirms he has a kingdom, albeit  one not of this world, and so in a sense no threat to the Romans. But  he is strangely reluctant to affirm explicitly that he is a king (perhaps  because it is a title that can be misunderstood), focusing instead on the  question of truth. Those who belong to the truth know who and what  Jesus is. Pilate can call him whatever he wants.