Exploring the References and Allusions in the Revelation

How the Revelation alludes or refers to the Old Testament

The Book of Revelation contains numerous references and allusions to the Old Testament, and these references play a significant role in the book’s narrative and meaning. Many of the symbols and imagery in the Revelation can be traced back to the Old Testament, and these references help to enrich the meaning of the text and provide a deeper understanding of its message.

“The sun turned to darkness”, “the heavens rolled up like a scroll”, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” … A complicating factor of reading the Revelation is that the book refers or alludes to the Old Testament (the Tanakh) over 600 times. Does that mean mastering Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and all the minor prophets is a prerequisite to getting a good handle on Revelation? Is Revelation the  cornerstone that culminates and explains every prophecy? Or should you also be able to understand Revelation as a standalone book?

The book of Revelation refers or alludes to the Hebrew Bible (the Tanakh) over 600 times.

A great dragon that was hurled down, a beast coming out of the sea,  ten horns, sins being piled up to heaven, thee great city of Babylon thrown down, an iron scepter, a new heaven and a new earth, the river of the water of life and the tree of life … These are examples of Revelation’s quotations and allusions to the Old Testament. The infographic helps create an overview of all Revelation’s quotations to the Old Testament.

Revelation Illustrated is a graphic retelling of the book of Revelation. Through 420 illustrations, John’s visions are depicted verse-by-verse as clearly and objectively as possible. Thematic analyses conveniently offer unique, enlightening perspectives on themes like structure, place, and time. Studying Revelation through pictures has proven to be a goldmine. It makes this book an indispensable tool for anyone eager to delve into what is often considered one of the Bible’s most confounding books.