Old testament references in the book of revelation rebel. Allusions in revelation from old testament silencehush. Revelation to john appears to be a collection of separate. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title.
In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. Some of these references back to the old testament do speak of the very same thing as the revelation. However, by a careful study of the bible, we can understand that most of them come from the. This book explores the relationship between the new context that john provides for his allusions and their context in the old testament. Table of contents acknowledgments foreword homer hailey preface the old testament background of the book of revelation the number and analysis of old testament quotations the text used in the old testament allusions the purpose of the old testament allusions the place of the book of revelation in apocalyptic literature the times in which apocalyptic grew apocalyptic a reinterpretation. There are over five hundred references to the old testament in the book of revelation. John describes the seven churches in asia, he records the visions that he received, and in the prophecy jesus returns as the kinsman redeemer to claim this world as his inheritance. In fact, of the 39 old testament books, one writer has found that revelation alludes to 24 of them. The book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. Jesus revelation to john is linked to the old testament and old testament symbolism. This collection sheds new light on the often mysterious apocalypse through a careful study of johns use of the old testament. Although there is no single quote from the old testament books, the book. Out of eighteen uses of in the book, at least eleven are.
Revelation contains more old testament references than any other new testament bookalmost 70 percent of its verses contain old testament. Old testament references in the book of revelation by. The book of revelation does not tell whence these allusions came. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis. Jan 02, 2020 the word wormwood is mentioned only here in the new testament, but it appears eight times in the old testament, each time associated with bitterness, poison and death. Christians regard both the old and new testaments together as sacred. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a.
How many old testament quotations andor allusions are there in. The new testament books contain the history of the life and works of jesus christ, as well as the spread of the. Aug 03, 2017 matthew phelps discusses the liturgical feasts of the old testament in this first of three talks from our turning to gods word retreat of july, 2017 at conception abbey. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Although theres no explicit old testament quotation in revelation, the book is filled with echoes and allusions to the old testament. Revelation 22 niv eden restored then the angel showed. Cross references to the standard works of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Matthew phelps discusses the liturgical feasts of the old testament in this first of three talks from our turning to gods word retreat of july, 2017 at conception abbey. Another important piece of evidence for the new testament use of against an old testament background is the range of uses of in revelation, which are also directly linked to old testament allusions and not to grecoroman civil assembly uses. The new testament is the portion of the bible written after jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. That is perhaps the book s most important feature and is an important contrast with apocalyptic writings. Many of the presbyters in attendance at the council of nicaea didnt want it in the bible. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2009, 27189.
In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. Gaius and the algoloi also reject it because the montanists use revelation so often. Revelation, apocalyptic writing and the old testament grace. Revelation uses old testament language and imagery in nearly every chapter, making clear that the god of the prophets is the god to whom john bears witness. In writing revelation, john follows the pattern that was used in older apocalyptic writings in the old testament such as the book of daniel in the old testament, 1 esdras in the apocrypha, the book of enoch in the pseudepigrapha, the assumption of moses, and many other well known writings, including sections of the book of ezekiel in the old. For reasons we can only speculate on the decision to include it was made at the last minutetruly a cliffha. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Furthermore, during the first century ad the biblical books existed in a variety. How many old testament quotations andor allusions are there. Finding jesus in every book of the old testament christ. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible.
There are somewhere between 200 to 1,000 references to the ot in revelation, depending on how you count them. Revelation and the old testament apologetics press. Revelation 1 niv prologue the revelation from jesus. The use of the old testament in the book of revelation.
This distinction should be kept in mind in the study of those. Nov 26, 20 some use this book to try and predict the future. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The final battle unfolds in a 7 year period through a series of seal, trumpet, and bowl judgements, he casts the antichrist and false prophet into the lake of fire. Later manuscripts usually have the title of the revelation of the theologian. Founder and director of ariel ministries there are over five. The use of old testament in the book of revelation rizalde. Some of the earliest manuscripts have the title of the revelation of john. In the old testament, the prophet joel states, the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the lord come. Almost every verse of revelation contains some sort of allusion to it. The vision has lots of symbolism and references to nearly every book of the old testament. Find quotations from the old testament in the new testament. New testament book of revelation synonyms, new testament book of revelation pronunciation, new testament book of revelation translation, english dictionary definition of new testament book of revelation. Allusions in revelation from old testament eat the book ezekiel 3.
Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. This is the reason for so many references to the old testament. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The apocalyptic book of revelation uses symbols and old testament references to reveal a pattern of human rebellion and gods plan to overcome evil forever. Use a bible that has footnotes and cross references to the old testament. The use of the old testament in the book of revelation by. New testament of the bible cliffsnotes study guides book. On the other hand, many in the early centuries disputed revelations place in the canon. Whereas revelation was written while the christians were oppressed by the romans, the prophets isaiah, ezekiel, and daniel wrote while the jews where under babylonian domination. Thus, it would be good to have some knowledge of the old testament before studying the book of revelation. The kingdom was the high point of old testament prophecy and no prophet ever saw anything beyond that. Parallel passages in new testament quoted from old testament. This is the only place in the new testament that has any physical descriptions of jesus, but they are of the ascended immortal jesus.
A brief overview it is observed that revelation contains more references to the old testament books than any other document in the new testament. The following is a list of such references, but it makes no claim to being exhaustive or complete. Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue. How many old testament quotations andor allusions are. I go through a chapter of revelation and spot the links to old testament writings. For example, before reading the apostle johns vision of the seven golden lampstands in revelation 1, a student should realize that such language had been used when zechariah had a similar vision in chapter 4 of the book that bears his name. Mar 19, 2019 the book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. However, the material found in the last two chapters is totally new. In the new testament, this word describes the unveiling of spiritual truth rom.
For example, did john choose texts to meet the needs of the recipients or did his meditation on the scriptures give him a unique insight into their situation. Aug 24, 2016 on the other hand, the king james study bible stated, of the 404 verses in the book revelation, 265 verses contain lines that allude to some 550 old testament references 1979. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon although there are short apocalyptic passages in various places in the gospels and the epistles, and an extended apocalyptic passage in the book of daniel in the old testament. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical, indicating thereby its extensive use of visions, symbols, and allegory, especially in connection with future events. Certainly then, by having a good knowledge of the old testament, and especially such books as isaiah, ezekiel, daniel, and zechariah, one likely will have an easier time. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. T part v includes quotes from revelation found in genesis, exodus, numbers, psalms, isaiah, ezekiel, daniel, joel. Revelation greek apokalupsis means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. The value of the book of revelation is that it provides such framework. The word apocalypse has been borrowed from the book of revelation and applied to these other writings. The revelations given to the prophet joseph smith that have direct application to the old testament are of at least three different types. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. The book of revelation, which is sometimes called revelation to john, apocalypse of john, or revelation of jesus christ is the last book of the new testament in the bible. The new testament discusses the teachings and person of jesus, as well as events in firstcentury christianity.
Revelation, apocalyptic writing and the old testament. There are many similarities between revelation and the old testament. Novum testamentum is the second part of the christian biblical canon, the first being the old testament. Look up the references and consider the larger context.
The importance of our familiarity with the old testament in order to understand the book of revelation cannot be overstated. Each book of the new testament was written by one of his apostles, and their disciples. The restoration and translation of ancient documents, such as the book of mormon and the book of abraham. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. Apologetics press revelation and the old testament. However, more than half of the references are in the psalms, isaiah, ezekiel and daniel. Book of revelation simple english wikipedia, the free. On the other hand, the king james study bible stated, of the 404 verses in the book revelation, 265 verses contain lines that allude to some 550 old testament references 1979. The revelation passage may not be saying that the star falling to the earth will actually be called wormwood by the inhabitants of the earth. Please remember the only difference between the old and new. That is perhaps the books most important feature and is an important contrast with apocalyptic writings. Revelation refers to a whole range of books from the old testament, right through the law, the historical books, poetry and the prophets.
The old testament in the book of revelation paperback january 1, 1976 by ferrell jenkins author 5. Revelation parallels, figures and typology in the old. Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament. Founder and director of ariel ministries there are over five hundred references to the old testament in the book of revelation. His usage of the old testament is more than mere symbols its ideas and words appear throughout the book. Revelation rarely quotes directly from the old testament, yet almost every verse alludes to or echoes older scriptures. Surprisingly, revelation does not include any exact quotations of the old testament. That makes about ten old testament references for every chapter. The old testament in the book of revelation jenkins, ferrell on. The book of revelation is strikingly different from the rest of the new testament. The word wormwood is mentioned only here in the new testament, but it appears eight times in the old testament, each time associated with bitterness, poison and death. There are thirtyfour direct references to the book of daniel in the. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. Old testament references in the book of revelation fliphtml5.
According to westcott and horts list of quotations from the old testament, of the 404 verses of revelation 278 contain references to the old testament. Revelation radically reinterpreted the jewish explanation of the old testament. The feasts of israel and the book of revelation the. Which by the way is easy, and it aint what youve been told.
Surveying a range of modern perspectives on johns treatment of the hebrew bible, these volumes provide everything you need to make informed decisions about how to interpret. Jan 04, 2010 there are no formal or direct quotations to the old testament ot in revelation. Marcion rejects revelation because of the numerous old testament references in the book. Founder and director of ariel ministries there are over five hundred. The following is a list of such references, but it makes no claim to being. There are over five hundred references to the old testament in the book of. Porter concurred, the book of revelation is replete with allusions to the ot. There are no formal or direct quotations to the old testament ot in revelation. The book is generally seen to be broke up into three major sections.
So, go to the verse listed and see the old testament scripture that relates to it. Divine revelations given to the prophet joseph smith about old testament events. It is populated by winged and wild creatures, locust plagues, and sevenheaded beasts. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Old testament references verse numbers found in revelation approx 540 of them for god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Revelation is filled with obscure and fantastic symbolism, and it teems with mystical references.
Eden restored then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of god and of the lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. Allusions in revelation from old testament christian forums. Revelation contains more old testament references than any other new testament book almost 70 percent of its verses contain old testament references. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come. Tenney, for example, identified 348 clear old testament references in the book of revelation. The book of revelation belongs to a class of chiefly jewish and later christian literature called apocalyptic. Why was the book of revelation included in the bible. Revelation 22 new international version niv eden restored. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. The last book of the new testament is usually called the book of revelation or simply revelation. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text.
The book of revelation has long been one of the bibles most difficult books to grasp. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. Eight interesting facts about revelations use of the old. We shall expect, then, to find that johns symbols do not mean exactly what they would have meant to a jewish writer. These writings include the book of moses, which contains the visions and writings of moses and a prophecy of enoch, revealed to the prophet joseph, though not translations of ancient documents in the same sense as were the book of mormon or the book of abraham. This is why the authorized king james version calls revelation the revelation of saint john the divine divine was a seventeenth. Parallel passages in new testament quoted from old. The use of old testament in the book of revelation. New testament book of revelation definition of new. If you know the ot references, revelation is easy, but you will have to add the first book of enoch which jesus quoted from in order to know who the anti christ is. Old testament references verse numbers found in revelation approx 540 of them for god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth. The first chapter 1 is a description of who jesus is.
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