Page 164 - Biblical Backgrounds

Old Testament Backgrounds in Revelation

Connect….

The book of Revelation is a favorite of many and inspires great confusion as well. This is true because we
do not understand which genre it belongs to. Another reason it is considered confusing is the use of
symbolism, imagery, poetry, and the drawing on many Old Testament passages. These passages are
used in different ways. Some are used as citations, direct quotations, others as allusions, and possibly as
echoes. This chapter will address some of these differences and their importance in interpreting
Revelation. We will also summarize some of the various Old Testament usages in John’s letter as well.
Keep in mind that Revelation is somewhat mysterious. As we proceed, you need to know that we hold a
futurist position on Revelation; we understand that the events prophesied after the chapters on the
seven churches have not yet happened. So while we will address other views, what follows will be from
that perspective.

The Lesson ...

Old Testament backgrounds in Revelation

One of the most important aspects of understanding any ancient writing is being able to identify what
type of literature it contains. Most are unaware of today's debate as to whether Revelation ought to be
viewed as apocalyptic or prophetic literature. Apocalyptic literature is “revelatory literature with a
narrative framework.” 210 Prophetic literature reveals a predictive future and can take many forms,
including narrative. Both utilize vivid imagery to convey meaning. Each interpretive group points to the
contents of Revelation and claims total justification for identifying it as apocalyptic or prophetic. The
name of the book in Greek is Apocalypse. Apocalypse means “revelation,” which we find in the book.

The book itself says it is a prophecy (Revelation 1:3, 10:11, and 22:6-7). It is even possible that it is a
combination of the two genres. 211 Some have even said that it is a prophecy in which apocalyptic
imagery is utilized. Those who affirm it as prophecy often see it as both futures to John at the time of
writing and a future to us currently. The early Church (AD 100-300), for example, overwhelmingly
viewed Revelation as the future, which would be after the writing of John. They called this view, and
many other related aspects, Chiliasm. Others hold that it is apocalyptic and was veiled in addressing how
Heaven and Earth would be brought together in the Messiah. They view it as a veiled message about the
destruction of Rome and Caesar. Depending on your view of the writing of Revelation, the Roman
emperor was either Nero (AD 54-68), Galba (AD 68-69), Otho (part of AD 69), Aulus Vitellius (also part of
AD 69), Vespasian (AD 69-79), Titus (AD 79-81), or Domitian (AD 81-96). Some view the book as a
sequential laying out of events, while others view it as cyclical. Some view it as purely spiritual, and

210 Gary M. Burge, Gene L. Green, and Lynn H. Cohick, The New Testament in Antiquity (Grand Rapids, Mich.:
Zondervan, 2009), 427-28.
211 Ibid., 427.

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