The term apocalyptic has come to be used as a broad designation for a particular kind of literature and mode of thinking that was clearly distinguishable by the second century B. C. Rev. 1:1 uses the noun apokalypsis to define the hidden revelation communicated to John through special visions. This essay employs the term apocalyptic in the broad sense indicated above. The characteristics of apocalyptic will be defined in general terms below. The purpose of this essay is to introduce the reader to the distinctive apocalyptic thinking of the writer of Daniel 7 whose one like a son of man is of interest to all students of the written Word. As background for this introduction, however, we shall give an overview of the nature of apocalyptic thinking and theology. For a more technical analysis of the topic the reader is asked to refer to one of the recent major works on this subject listed in the bibliography
