I joined Christian chat last June and since then I have noticed that there have been a large number of discussions connected with Bible Prophecy. Some are intelligent interesting and informative. Others range from ill informed to plainly ridiculous. I am currently undertaking an in depth study of the Book of Revelation and have gained what to me have been some incredible insights into its contents. The greatest of these has been that without a working knowledge of the OT Revelation is a closed book. Revelation is about the culmination of Gods plan for Humanity and the rest of creation. Reading it without taking this into account is like reading the last page of a detective Novel and then trying to find the whole story from it. I am wondering hoe much time people devote to study of the OT and what methods they use to set about it.
For whoever is interested, below is a rough list of information from the book of Revelation with some of the corresponding OT scriptures. For the most part, though I study the OT, an in depth understanding of the OT is not required in order to understand the book of Revelation. There are only a few specific subjects in Revelation where the OT is necessary such as the information regarding the Woman of Rev.12, the beast and the dismantling of all human government, etc., which can also be found in the book of Genesis and Daniel.
We have to remember that word Apokalupsis which is translate as Revelation, is defined as information which was partially or previously unknown and that is being revealed because it was previously covered, hidden. The lid's being taken off. Also, we must pay attention to the very first verse in Revelation which says, "The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants
what must soon take place.: Therefore, the book of Revelation is regarding future events from the time it was given to John and specifically has to do with that last generation where the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments take place, as well as all of the signs mentioned in Mt.24.
(Rev.2:14) Pergamum
The teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin. (Num.31:16)
(Rev.4:6) The Four Living Beings (Ezk.1,10, Isa.6:1-7)
(Rev.4:6, 15:2) Sea of Glass/Icy Epanse (Ezk.1:2)
The purpose for the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments (Zephaniah 1:1-3, Isa.13:12, etc.)
(Rev.6:12-17) Sun and Moon are darkened/sixth seal (Isa.13:9-10, 34:4, Joel 2:10, 31)
(Rev.6:15-17) Call to the Rocks and Mountains to fall on them (Isa.2:10, 19, 21)
144,000 – Rev.7:1-8 (only for the purpose of knowing the twelve tribes of Israel)
(Rev.9:1-11) Fifth seal
Demonic beings released from the Abyss. (Joel 2 is most likely in reference to this event)
(Rev.10:8-11)
The little scroll – The word as food (Ezk.3)
(Rev.11:8)
Jerusalem figuratively called Sodom and Egypt (Isa.1:10)
(Rev.12:1)
A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head (Gen.37:9-10)
(Rev.13, 17, 18)
The beast of the sea (Dan.7:1-9)
The beast speaking boastful words against God (Dan.7:8, 11, 20, 25, etc.)
The beast makes war against the saints and to conquer them for forty-two months (Dan.7:25)
The Image of the beast which may be synonymous with the Abomination that is set up in the temple (Dan.9:27)
(Rev.19:11-21) The Rider on the White Horse/The end of the Age (Dan.2:34-35, 44-45, 7:13, etc.)
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(Rev.20) The Characteristics of the Literal Thousand Year Reign of Christ
(Isa.2:4 – The Nations beat their swords into plowshares and the spears into pruning hooks
and nation will not train for war anymore.
(Isa.11:6-7, 65:25) – Prey and predator animals and their young will lie down together.
(Isa.11:8, 65:25) – The Lion will eat straw like the Ox.
(Isa.11:8) - A young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest and not be harmed.
(Isa.63:1-6) – The Lord Tramples the Nations in his anger at the end of the age
(Isa.65:20) – If a person dies at a hundred he will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed
(Zech.14:3-4) - The Lord stands on the Mount of Olives at the end of the a
Blessing in Christ - Enjoy!