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Revelation - Allusions from Old Testament
Julian Spriggs M.A.
Related pages
Allusions to the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation
This is a list of the passages in the Book of Revelation which allude to passages in the OT. Although passages from the OT are never directly quoted, the Book of Revelation is thoroughly soaked in the thinking and language of the Old Testament. This list contains all the allusions I have found so far, so does not claim to be an exhaustive list. Other allusions will be added when I find them. These allusions come from many of the OT books, but particularly Exodus, the Psalms and many of the prophets, particularly Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. There are also some allusions to non-canonical Jewish writings, which I have included in parentheses. The allusions are listed in the order they appear in the Book of Revelation. Where the same allusion from the OT is used in more than one place in the Book of Revelation, the list includes it at its first occurrence, together with a list of the other references where it is used.
Revelation |
Allusion |
OT Reference |
Chapter 1 |
|
|
1:1, 22:6 |
Revelation of Jesus Christ |
Dan 2:28,29,45 |
1:4,8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 |
him who is and who was and who is to come |
Ex 3:14, Is 41:4 |
1:4, 4:5, 5:6 |
seven spirits |
Zech 4:2,10 |
1:5 |
Jesus the firstborn of the dead, ruler of kings |
Ps 89:27 |
1:5 |
freed us from our sins |
Ps 130:8, Is 40:2, |
1:6, 5:10 |
made us to be a kingdom |
Ex 19:6, Is 61:6 |
1:7 |
coming with the clouds |
Dan 7:13 |
1:7 |
even those who pierced him |
Zech 12:10 |
1:7 |
all the tribes of the earth will wail |
Zech 12:12 |
1:10, 4:1 |
voice like a trumpet |
Ex 19:16 |
1:10 |
in the Spirit |
Ezek 3:12 |
1:12 |
lampstand |
Ex 25:31-37, 1 Kg 7:49, Zech 4:2 |
1:13, 14:14 |
Son of man |
Dan 7:13 |
1:13 |
man clothed in a long robe, golden sash |
Ezek 9:2,11, Dan 10:5 |
1:14 |
hair like white wool |
Dan 7:9 |
1:14-15, 2:18, 19:12 |
eyes like flame, feet like bronze |
Dan 10:6 |
1:15 |
voice like many waters |
Ezek 1:24, 43:2 |
1:16, 2:12,16, 19:15 |
from mouth sharp sword |
Is 49:2 |
1:17, 2:8 |
first and the last |
Is 44:6, 48:12 |
1:17 |
fell at his feet as though dead |
Dan 10:9 |
1:17 |
placed right hand on me |
Dan 10:18 |
Chapter 2 |
|
|
|
2:7, 22:2,19 |
tree of life |
Gen 2:8-9, Ezek 47:12 |
2:7 |
paradise of God |
Ezek 28:13, 31:8-9 |
2:10 |
ten days prison, testing |
Dan 1:12,14 |
2:14,20 |
teaching of Balaam, fornication |
Num 22-24, 25:1-2,31:16 |
2:17 |
hidden manna |
Ex 16:4, Ps 78:24 |
2:17 |
a new name |
Is 65:15 |
2:20 |
Jezebel |
1 Kg 16:31 |
2:23 |
God searches minds and hearts |
Ps 7:9, Jer 11:20, 17:10 |
2:23 |
give as your works deserve |
Ps 62:12, Prov 24:12 |
2:26-27 |
authority over nations, rule with iron rod |
Ps 2:8,9 |
Chapter 3 |
|
|
3:5,7 |
not blot name out of book of life |
Ex 32:32-33, Ps 69:28, Dan 12:1 |
3:7 |
shuts no one opens |
Job 12:14, Is 22:22 |
3:9 |
they learn that I have loved you |
Is 45:14 |
3:9 |
they come bow down before your feet |
Is 60:14 |
3:12 |
write my own new name |
Is 62:2, 65:15 |
3:17 |
I am rich, I have prospered |
Hos 12:8 |
3:19 |
discipline those I love |
Prov 3:12 |
Chapter 4 |
|
|
4:2,9,10, 5:1,7,13, 6:16, 7:10,15, 19:4, 21:5 |
one seated on a throne |
1 Kg 22:19, 2 Chr 18:18, Ps 47:8, Is 6:1 |
4:2 |
like jasper and carnelian, rainbow |
Ezek 1:26-27 |
4:4 |
24 elders |
1 Chr 25Is 24:23 |
4:5, 16:18 |
lightning, peals of thunder |
Ex 19:16, Ezek 1:13 |
4:6 |
sea of glass |
Ex 24:10, Ezek 1:22 |
4:6-7 |
4 living creatures |
Ezek 1:5-10, 10:14 |
4:8 |
living creatures full of eyes |
Ezek 1:18, 10:12 |
4:8 |
4 living creatures singing holy, holy, holy |
Is 6:2-3 |
4:9 |
one who lives forever and ever |
Dan 4:34, 6:26, 12:7 |
Chapter 5 |
|
|
5:1 |
scroll written on inside and back |
Ezek 2:9-10 |
5:3 |
no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth |
Ex 20:4 |
5:5 |
Lion of tribe of Judah |
Gen 49:9-10 |
5:5 |
Root of David |
Is 11:1,10 |
5:6,12 |
lamb as if it had been slaughtered |
Is 53:7 |
5:8, 8:3,4 |
incense - prayers of saints |
Ps 141:2 |
5:9, 14:3 |
sing a new song |
Ps 33:3, 40:3, 91:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1, Is 42:10 |
5:11 |
myriads and thousands |
Dan 7:10 |
5:12 |
to receive power, wealth, wisdom |
1 Chr 29:11 |
Chapter 6 |
|
|
|
6:2, 19:11 |
white horse |
Zech 1:8, 6:3,6 |
6:3 |
red horse |
Zech 1:8, 6:2 |
6:5 |
black horse |
Zech 6:2,6 |
6:8 |
kill with sword famine pestilence |
Jer 14:12, 15:2-3, Ezek 5:12,17, 14:21, 33:27 |
6:10 |
avenge our blood |
Deut 32:43, 2 Kg 9:7, Ps 79:10 |
6:12, 9:2 |
great earthquake |
Ex 19:18 |
6:12-13 |
sun became black, moon like blood |
Joel 2:31, Is 13:10, Jer 4:23-28, Ezek 32:7-8, Joel 2:10, 3:15 |
6:14 |
sky vanished like a scroll |
Is 34:4 |
6:15 |
hide in caves and rocks |
Is 2:10,19,21, Jer 4:29 |
6:16 |
call to mountains - fall on us |
Hos 10:8 |
6:17 |
great day of wrath who can stand? |
Joel 2:11, Mal 3:2 |
Chapter 7 |
|
|
7:1 |
four winds of earth |
Jer 49:36, Ezek 37:9, Dan 7:2, Zech 6:5 |
7:3, 9:4, 14:1 |
mark servants with seal |
Ezek 9:4 |
7:14 |
come out of great ordeal |
Dan 12:1 |
7:16 |
hunger thirst no more, sun not strike them, guide by springs of water |
Is 49:10 |
7:17 |
lamb will be their shepherd |
Ps 23:1-2, Ezek 34:23 |
7:17, 21:4 |
Lord wipe away tears |
Is 25:8, 35:10, 65:19 |
7:17 |
springs of water |
Jer 2:13 |
Chapter 8 |
|
|
|
8:2 |
7 angels before God |
(Tobit 12:15) |
8:3, 9:13 |
incense on altar |
Ex 30:1-3, Lev 16:12 |
8:5 |
thunder, lightning, trumpet |
Ex 19:16-19 |
8:5 |
threw fire on earth |
Ezek 10:2 |
8:7, 9:2 |
fire hurled to earth |
Gen 19:24, Ex 9:23-25, Ezek 38:22 |
8:8, 11:6, 16:3,4 |
sea became blood |
Ex 7:20-21 |
8:11 |
wormwood |
Prov 5:3-4, Jer 9:15 |
8:12, 16:10 |
sun darkened |
Ex 10:31, Is 8:22, 13:10, Ezek 32:7-8, Joel 2:10, 3:15 |
Chapter 9 |
|
|
9:2 |
smoke like a furnace |
Gen 19:28, Ex 19:18 |
9:3 |
locusts |
Ex 10:12,15, Deut 28:42, 1 Kg 8:37, Ps 78:46, Joel 1:2 - 2:11 |
9:6 |
seek death, not find it |
Job 3:21, Jer 8:3 |
9:7-9 |
locusts like horses |
Joel 1:6, 2:4-5 |
9:16 |
200 million cavalry |
Ezek 38:14, Ps 68:17 |
9:17 |
fire smoke sulphur from mouths |
Job 41:19-20 |
9:17 |
fire smoke sulphur |
Gen 19:24-28 |
9:20 |
worshipping demons |
Deut 32:17 |
9:20 |
works of their hands |
Deut 4:28 |
9:20 |
idols cannot see hear or walk |
Ps 115:4-7, 135:15-16, Dan 5:23 |
Chapter 10 |
|
|
10:1 |
rainbow over head |
Ezek 1:28 |
10:1 |
pillar of fire |
Ex 14:19,24, 13:21-22 |
10:3 |
like lion roaring |
Hos 11:10, Amos 3:8 |
10:4 |
7 thunders |
Ps 29 |
10:4 |
seal up 7 thunders |
Dan 8:26, 12:4.9 |
10:5-6 |
lift hand to heaven and swear |
Deut 32:40, Dan 12:7 |
10:6, 14:7 |
him who created heaven, earth & sea |
Gen 14:19,22, Ex 20:11, Neh 9:6, Ps 146:6 |
10:7 |
mystery announced to servants the prophets |
Dan 9:6,10, Amos 3:7 |
10:9-10 |
eating scroll |
Jer 5:16-18, Ezek 2:8-9 |
10:9-10 |
sweet as honey in mouth |
Ezek 3:1-3, Ps 119:103 |
10:11 |
prophesy before peoples, nations, languages & kings |
Jer 1:10, Dan 7:14 |
Chapter 11 |
|
|
11:1 |
rod to measure temple |
Ezek 40:3, Zech 2:1-2 |
11:2 |
nations trample holy city |
Ps 79:1, Is 63:18, Zech 12:3 |
11:3 |
2 witnesses in sackcloth |
Deut 19:15, Jer 4:8 |
11:4 |
2 olive trees, 2 lampstands |
Zech 4:3,11-14 |
11:5 |
fire pours from mouth consumes foes |
2 Sam 22:9, 2 Kg 1:10,12, Ps 97:3, Jer 5:14 |
11:6 |
authority to shut sky, no rain |
1 Kg 17:1 |
11:7 |
beast make war on them and kill them |
Dan 7:3,7,21 |
11:8 |
Sodom & Egypt where Lord crucified |
Is 1:10, Ezek 16:46-49 |
11:11 |
breath entered them, stood on feet |
Ezek 37:5,10 |
11:12 |
voice from heaven, come up here |
2 Kg 2:11 |
11:13 |
great earthquake, tenth of city fell |
Ezek 38:19-20 |
11:15 |
Lord will reign forever |
Ps 10:16, 22:28, Dan 2:44, Zech 14:9 |
11:18 |
the nations raged |
Ps 2:1, 46:6 |
11:18 |
rewarding your servants small and great |
Ps 115:13 |
11:18 |
your servants the prophets |
Dan 9:6,10, Amos 3:7, Zech 1:6 |
11:19 |
flashes of lightning |
Ex 9:24, 19:16, Ezek 1:13 |
11:19 |
Ark of covenant in temple |
1 Kg 8:1,6 |
Chapter 12 |
|
|
12:2 |
pregnant woman about to give birth |
Is 26:7, 66:7, Micah 4:10, 5:3 |
12:4 |
dragon's tail swept down third of stars |
Dan 8:10 |
12:5 |
woman gave birth to male child |
Is 7:14, 66:7 |
12:5, 19:15 |
son rule nations with rod of iron |
Ps 2:9 |
12:7 |
Michael fought against dragon and angels |
Dan 10:13,21, 12:1 |
12:10 |
Dragon - accuser of brothers |
Job 1:9-11, Zech 3:1 |
12:14 |
woman carried on wings of eagle |
Ex 19:4 |
12:14 |
time, times and half a time |
Dan 7:25, 12:7 |
12:16 |
earth swallowed river |
Ex 15:12 |
12:17 |
dragon made war on children of woman |
Dan 7:7,21 |
Chapter 13 |
|
|
13:1 |
beast rising out of the sea |
Dan 7:3 |
13:2 |
beast like a leopard, feet like a bear, mouth like a lion |
Dan 7:4-6 |
13:5 |
beast uttering haughty blasphemous words |
Dan 7:8,20, 11:36 |
13:5 |
beast authority for 42 months |
Dan 7:25 |
13:7 |
allowed to make war on saints and conquer them |
Dan 7:21 |
13:8, 17:8, 20:12,15, 21:27 |
book of life of Lamb |
Ex 32:32-33, Ps 69:28, Is 53:7, Dan 12:1 |
13:10 |
to be taken captive, into captivity you go |
Jer 15:2, 43:11 |
13:13 |
beast - fire down from heaven |
1 Kg 18:24-39 |
13:15 |
worshipping image of beast |
Dan 3:5-6 |
13:16, 14:1 |
marked on right hand or forehead |
Ex 13:9, Deut 6:8, Is 44:5 |
Chapter 14 |
|
|
14: |
standing on Mt Zion |
Job 2:32 |
14:2 |
voice like sound of many waters & loud thunder |
Ezek 1:24, 43:3 |
14:4 |
like virgins |
2 Kg 19:21, Lam 1:15, Jer 18:13, Amos 5:2 |
14:5 |
no lie in their mouth |
Is 53:9 |
14:8, 18:2 |
Fallen fallen is Babylon the great, made nations drink of her wine |
Is 21:9, Jer 51:7, 51:8 |
14:10, 15:7, 16:19, 21:8 |
drink wine of God's wrath, fire & sulphur |
Gen 19:24, Ps 11:6, 75:8, Job 21:20, Is 51:17,22, Jer 25:15, Ezek 38:22, (3 Macc 2:5) |
14:11, 19:3 |
smoke go up forever |
Is 34:10 |
14:14-15,18 |
use sickle and reap |
Joel 3:13 |
14:20 |
tread wine press |
Is 63:3, Lam 1:15 |
|
Chapter 15 |
|
|
15:1,6 |
7 angels with 7 plagues |
Lev 26:21 |
15:3 |
song of Moses |
Ex 15:1,11, Deut 32:4, Ps 92:5, 111:2, 139:14, 145:7, Jer 10:10, Amos 3:13, 4:13 (LXX) (Enoch 9:4) |
15:3 |
just and true are your ways, |
Deut 32:4, Ps 92:5, 111:2 |
15:4 |
nations come and worship |
Ps 86:9, 98:2, 144:17 Jer 10:6-7, Mal 1:11 |
15:5 |
tabernacle / tent of witness |
Ex 40:34, Num 17:7, 18:2 |
15:8 |
temple filled with smoke |
Ex 40:34, 1 Kg 8:10-11,Is 6:4, 2 Chr 5:13-14, Ezek 44:4 |
Chapter 16 |
|
|
16:1 |
pour out wrath of God |
Ps 69:24, Is 66:6, Jer 10:25, Ezek 22:31, Zeph 3:8 |
16:2 |
foul & painful sore |
Ex 9:10, Deut 28:35 |
16:5,7 |
judgements are just |
Deut 32:4, Ps 19:9, 119:137, 145:7 |
16:6 |
shed blood of saints and prophets |
Ps 79:3 |
16:6 |
given them blood to drink |
Is 49:26 |
16:23 |
dry up Euphrates |
Is 11:15, 44:27, Jer 50:38, 51:36 |
16:13 |
foul spirits like frogs |
Ex 8:1-15 |
16:16 |
Harmagedon |
Judg 5:19, 2 Kg 9:27, 23:29, Zech 12:11 |
16:17 |
voice from temple |
Is 66:6 |
16:18 |
earthquake such as not occurred since people were upon the earth |
Dan 12:1 |
16:21 |
huge hailstones |
Ex 9:24 |
Chapter 17 |
|
|
17:1 |
great whore seated on many waters |
Jer 51:13 |
17:2, 18:3 |
kings of earth committed fornication |
Is 23:17 |
17:4 |
adorned with gold, jewels and pearls |
Ezek 28:13 |
17:12 |
10 horns = 10 kings |
Dan 7:24 |
17:14, 19:16 |
Lord of Lords and King of Kings |
Deut 10:17, Dan 2:47, (Enoch 9:4), (2 Macc 13:4), (3 Macc 5:35) |
17:16, 18:8 |
whore burned with fire |
Lev 21:9 |
Chapter 18 |
|
|
18:2 |
Babylon become dwelling place of demons, foul & hateful birds |
Is 13:21, 34:11, Jer 50:39, (Baruch 4:35) |
18:4 |
Come out of her (Babylon) my people |
Is 48:20, 52:11, Jer 50:8,51:6,9,45 |
18:5 |
God remembered her iniquities |
Gen 18:20-21 |
18:6 |
Render to her as she has rendered, repay double |
Ps 137:8, Jer 16:18, 17:18 |
18:7-8 |
In her heart she says, 'I rule as a queen ...' |
Is 47:7-9 |
18:8 |
Babylon burned with fire |
Jer 50:15,34, 51:25,30,32,38 |
18:9-10 |
weep and wail over Babylon |
Ezek 26:16-17, 27:30-35 |
18:10 |
Babylon mighty city |
Dan 4:30 |
18:11 |
merchants lament over Babylon (Tyre) |
Ezek 27:36 |
18:12-13 |
list of goods no longer traded (Tyre) |
Ezek 27:12,13,22 |
18:15 |
merchants wailing |
Ezek 27:36 |
18:16 |
adorned with gold, jewels and pearls |
Ezek 28:13 |
18:17 |
riches laid waste |
Ezek 27:27-29 |
18:18 |
seafarers wail (for Tyre) |
Ezek 27:32 |
18:19 |
whose who had ships grew rich |
Ezek 27:30-34 |
18:20 |
rejoice over her, O heaven |
Ps 96:11, Is 44:23, 49:13, Jer 51:48 |
18:21 |
threw millstone into sea |
Jer 51:63-64, Ezek 26:21 |
18:22 |
sound of harpist no more ... |
Is 24:8, Ezek 26:13, Jer 25:10 |
18:23 |
voice of bridegroom and bride heard no more |
Is 23:8, 47:9, Jer 7:34, 16:9, 25:10 |
18:24 |
blood of prophets and saints |
Jer 51:49, Ezek 24:7 |
Chapter 19 |
|
|
19:2 |
avenge on her the blood of his servants |
Deut 32:43, 2 Kg 9:7, Ps 19:9, 79:10, 119:137 |
19:5 |
praise our God, all who fear him |
Ps 22:23, 115:13, 134:1, 135:1 |
19:6 |
Lord our God the Almighty reigns |
Ex 15:18, Ps 22:28, 93:1, 97:1, 99:1, Ezek 1:24, 43:2, Dan 7:14, Amos 3:13, 4:13 (LXX), Zech 14:9 |
19:8 |
clothed with fine linen |
Is 61:10 |
19:11 |
in righteousness he judges |
Ps 96:13, Is 11:4 |
19:13 |
treading winepress |
Is 63:1-3, Lam 1:15, Joel 3:13 |
19:15 |
rule nations with rod of iron |
Ps 2:9 |
19:17-18, 21 |
great supper of God - eat flesh of ... |
Ezek 39:17-20 |
19:19 |
kings gather to make war |
Ps 2:9 |
19:20 |
burning with sulphur |
Is 30:33 |
Chapter 20 |
|
|
20:4 |
thrones - authority to judge |
Dan 7:9,22,27 |
20:6 |
priests of God, reign with him |
Ex 19:6, Is 61:6 |
20:8 |
four corners of earth, Gog and Magog |
Ezek 7:2, 38:2 |
20:9 |
fire from heaven, consumed them |
2 Kg 1:10-12, Ezek 38:22, 39:6 |
20:10 |
fire and sulphur |
Gen 19:24, Ps 11:6, Is 30:33, Ezek 38:22, (3 Macc 2:5) |
20:11 |
earth and heaven fled from his presence |
Ps 114:3-7 |
20:11-12 |
before the throne, books opened |
Dan 7:9-10 |
20:12,14 |
name in book of life |
Ex 32:32-33, Ps 69:28, Dan 12:1 |
20:13, 22:12 |
repay according to their deeds |
Ps 28:4, 62:12, Prov 24:12, Is 59:18, Jer 17:10 |
Chapter 21 |
|
|
21:1 |
new heavens and new earth |
Is 65:17, 66:22 |
21:2 |
Jerusalem holy city |
Is 52:1, 61:10 |
21:3 |
home of God is among men |
Ex 26:11-12, 1 Chr 6:18, Ezek 37:27, Zech 2:10 |
21:6, 22:13 |
Alpha and Omega |
Ps 36:9, Is 44:6, 48:12 |
21:6 |
to the thirsty I will give water |
Ps 36:9, Is 55:1, Jer 2:13 |
21:10 |
taken to high mountain to see city |
Ex 40:2 |
21:11 |
city has glory of God |
Is 60:1,2,19 |
21:12-13 |
gates inscribed with names of tribes of Israel |
Ezek 48:30-35 |
21:16-17 |
angel with measuring rod, square city |
Ezek 40:3-5, 48:16 |
21:19 |
foundations of jewels |
Ex 28:21, 39:10-14, Is 54:11-12 |
21:23, 22:5 |
no need of sun in city |
Is 60:19-20 |
21:24,26 |
nations walk by light of city |
Ps 72:10-11, Is 60:3,5, (Ps Sol 17:34) |
21:25, 22:5 |
gates always open, continuous day |
Is 60:19-20, Dan 7:18,27, Zech 14:7 |
Chapter 22 |
|
|
22:1 |
river of water of life from throne |
Ezek 47:1, Joel 3:18, Zech 14:8 |
22:4 |
servants see face of God |
Ps 17:15, 42:2 |
22:10 |
do not seal up words of book |
Dan 12:4 |
22:16 |
root and descendent of David, bright morning star |
Num 24:17, Is 11:1,10 |
22:18-19 |
not to add or take away from words of book |
Deut 4:2, 12:32 |
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