Lesson 3 in a series of Bible Classes on the Book of Revelation. Presented 9/29/13 at Palm Desert Church of Christ by Dale Wells.

1. Amen! Hallelujah! – A Study of the
Book of Revelation
By Dale Wells
Copyright © 2013
Dale R. Wells
Scripture quoted by permission. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NET
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1

2. LESSON 3
OLD TESTAMENT BACKGROUND OF
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
2

3. NO OLD TESTAMENT QUOTATIONS
IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION
3

4. There are 404 verses in Revelation
Revelation contains
• Not one direct OT quote
• Hundreds of OT allusions
• 278 vss (70%) reference OT
• 500+ OT cross-references in
UBS Greek New Testament
Paul’s letters contain
• 95 direct OT quotes
• About 100 OT allusions
4

5. MANY OLD TESTAMENT
REFERENCES IN REVELATION
5

6. These come out of the Old Testament
Balaam and Balak
Jezebel
God’s throne
Four living creatures Beast out of the sea
Song of Moses
Fall of Babylon
New heaven and
earth
New Jerusalem
Tree of life
6

7. SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS FROM
EXODUS 25 AND ZECHARIAH 4
Revelation 1:12
7

8. Revelation 1:12
I turned to see
whose voice was
speaking to me,
and when I did so, I
saw seven golden
lampstands …
8

9. Exodus 25:31-40
“You are to make a lampstand
of pure gold. … [32] Six branches
are to extend from the sides of
the lampstand, three branches
of the lampstand from one side
of it and three branches of the
lampstand from the other side
of it. … [40] Now be sure to
make them according to the
pattern you were shown on the
mountain.
9

10. Zechariah 4:2
He asked me, “What do
you see?” I replied, “I
see a menorah of pure
gold with a receptacle
at the top and seven
lamps, with fourteen
pipes going to the
lamps.
10

11. ONE LIKE A SON OF MAN FROM
DANIEL 7
Revelation 1:13-16
11

12. Revelation 1:13-16
… in the midst of the
lampstands was one like a
son of man. He was dressed
in a robe extending down to
his feet and he wore a wide
golden belt around his chest.
[14] His head and hair were
as white as wool, even as
white as snow, and his eyes
were like a fiery flame. …
12

13. Daniel 7:13
I was watching in the
night visions, “And with
the clouds of the sky
one like a son of man
was approaching. He
went up to the Ancient
of Days and was
escorted before him.
13

14. GOD ON HIS THRONE FROM ISAIAH,
EZEKIEL, AND DANIEL
Revelation 4:2-5
14

15. Revelation 4:2-5
Immediately I was in the
Spirit, and a throne was
standing in heaven with
someone seated on it! [3]
And the one seated on it
was like jasper and carnelian
in appearance, and a
rainbow looking like it was
made of emerald encircled
the throne. …
15

16. Isaiah 6:1
In the year of King
Uzziah’s death, I saw
the sovereign master
seated on a high,
elevated throne. The
hem of his robe filled
the temple.
16

17. Ezekiel 1:26-28
Above the platform over their heads was
something like a sapphire shaped like a throne.
High above on the throne was a form that
appeared to be a man. [27] I saw an amber
glow like a fire enclosed all around from his
waist up. From his waist down I saw something
that looked like fire. There was a brilliant light
around it, [28] like the appearance of a
rainbow in the clouds after the rain. This was
the appearance of the surrounding brilliant
light; it looked like the glory of the LORD. …
17

18. Daniel 7:9-10
“While I was watching, thrones
were set up, and the Ancient of
Days took his seat. His attire
was white like snow; the hair
of his head was like lambs
wool. His throne was ablaze
with fire and its wheels were
all aflame. [10] A river of fire
was streaming forth and
proceeding from his presence.
… The court convened and the
books were opened.
18

19. FOUR LIVING CREATURES FROM
EZEKIEL 1
Revelation 4:6-8
19

20. Revelation 4:6-8
… In the middle of the throne
and around the throne were
four living creatures full of
eyes in front and in back. [7]
The first living creature was
like a lion, the second
creature like an ox, the third
creature had a face like a
man’s, and the fourth
creature looked like an eagle
flying. …
20

21. Ezekiel 1:5-10
In the fire were what looked like four living beings.
In their appearance they had human form, [6] but
each had four faces and four wings. [7] Their legs
were straight, but the soles of their feet were like
calves feet. They gleamed like polished bronze. [8]
They had human hands under their wings on their
four sides. … [10] Their faces had this appearance:
Each of the four had the face of a man, with the
face of a lion on the right, the face of an ox on the
left and also the face of an eagle.
21

22. THE FOUR HORSEMEN FROM
ZECHARIAH 6
Revelation 6:1-8
22

23. Revelation 6:1-8
I looked on when the Lamb opened one
of the seven seals, and I heard one of
the four living creatures saying with a
thunderous voice, “Come!” [2] So I
looked, and here came a white horse! …
[3] Then when the Lamb opened the
second seal, … another horse, fiery red,
came out, … [5] Then when the Lamb opened the third seal …
here came a black horse! … [7] Then when the Lamb opened the
fourth seal … here came a pale green horse! …
23

24. Zechariah 6:1-8
… I saw four chariots emerging from between two
mountains of bronze. [2] Harnessed to the first
chariot were red horses, to the second black
horses, [3] to the third white horses, and to the
fourth spotted horses, all of them strong. [4] Then
I asked the angelic messenger who was speaking
with me, “What are these, sir?” [5] The
messenger replied, “These are the four spirits of
heaven that have been presenting themselves
before the Lord of all the earth. …
24

25. EARTHQUAKE FROM JOEL, ISAIAH,
AND HOSEA
Revelation 6:12-17
25

26. Revelation 6:12-17
Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth
seal, and a huge earthquake took place; the sun
became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and
the full moon became blood red; [13] and the
stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree
dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce
wind. [14] The sky was split apart like a scroll
being rolled up, and every mountain and island
was moved from its place. [15] Then the kings of
the earth, the very important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and
everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of
the mountains. [16] They said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us
and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the
wrath of the Lamb, [17] because the great day of their wrath has come, and
who is able to withstand it?”
26

27. Joel 2:30-31
I will produce portents
both in the sky and on the
earth- blood, fire, and
columns of smoke. [31]
The sunlight will be turned
to darkness and the moon
to the color of blood,
before the day of the Lord
comes- that great and
terrible day!
27

28. Isaiah 34:4
All the stars in the
sky will fade away,
the sky will roll up
like a scroll; all its
stars will wither, like
a leaf withers and
falls from a vine or
a fig withers and
falls from a tree.
28

29. Isaiah 2:19
They will go into caves in
the rocky cliffs and into
holes in the ground, trying
to escape the dreadful
judgment of the Lord and
his royal splendor, when
he rises up to terrify the
earth.
29

30. Hosea 10:8
The high places of the
“House of Wickedness”
will be destroyed; it is the
place where Israel sins.
Thorns and thistles will
grow up over its altars.
Then they will say to the
mountains, “Cover us!”
and to the hills, “Fall on
us!”
30

31. SEALING GOD’S PEOPLE FROM
EZEKIEL 9
Revelation 7:1-8
31

32. Revelation 7:1-8
After this I saw four angels standing
at the four corners of the earth, … [2]
Then I saw another angel ascending
from the east, who had the seal of
the living God. He shouted out with a
loud voice to the four angels … [3]
“Do not damage the earth or the sea
or the trees until we have put a seal
on the foreheads of the servants of
our God.” …
32

33. Ezekiel 9:1-6
… [2] … I noticed six men … each with
his war club in his hand. Among them
was a man … with a writing kit at his
side. … [4] The Lord said to him, “Go
through the city of Jerusalem and put a
mark on the foreheads of the people
who moan and groan over all the
abominations practiced in it.” [5] While
I listened, he said to the others, “Go
through the city after him and strike
people down; do no let your eye pity
nor spare anyone! …
33

34. TRUMPETS AS HARBINGERS OF
JUDGMENT FROM JOEL 2
Revelation 8:6-12
34

35. Revelation 8:6-12
Now the seven angels holding the
seven trumpets prepared to blow
them. [7] The first angel blew his
trumpet, hail and fire mixed with
blood, … [8] Then the second angel
blew his trumpet, and something like
a great mountain of burning fire was
thrown into the sea. ... [10] Then the
third angel blew his trumpet, and a huge star burning like a torch
fell from the sky … [12] Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet,
and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a
third of the stars …
35

36. Joel 2:1-3
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm signal on my
holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land shake
with fear, for the day of the Lord is about to come.
Indeed, it is near! [2] It will be a day of dreadful darkness,
a day of foreboding storm clouds, like blackness spread
over the mountains. It is a huge and powerful army- there
has never been anything like it ever before, and there will
not be anything like it for many generations to come! [3]
Like fire they devour everything in their path; a flame
blazes behind them. The land looks like the Garden of
Eden before them, but behind them there is only a
desolate wilderness- for nothing escapes them!
36

37. Exodus 9:23-26
When Moses extended his staff …
the Lord sent thunder and hail,
and fire fell to the earth; so the
Lord caused hail to rain down on
the land of Egypt. [24] Hail fell
and fire mingled with the hail; the
hail was so severe that there had
not been any like it in all the land
of Egypt since it had become a
nation. … [26] Only in the land of
Goshen, where the Israelites lived,
was there no hail.
37

38. Exodus 7:19-21
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell
Aaron, Take your staff and stretch out
your hand over Egypt’s waters … so
that it becomes blood. There will be
blood everywhere in the land of Egypt,
even in wooden and stone containers.”
[20] Moses and Aaron did so, just as
the Lord had commanded. Moses
raised the staff and struck the water
that was in the Nile right before the
eyes of Pharaoh and his servants, and
all the water that was in the Nile was
turned to blood. …
38

39. Exodus 10:21-23
The Lord said to Moses, “Extend your
hand toward heaven so that there
may be darkness over the land of
Egypt, a darkness so thick it can be
felt.” [22] So Moses extended his
hand toward heaven, and there was
absolute darkness throughout the
land of Egypt for three days. [23] No
one could see another person, and
no one could rise from his place for
three days. But the Israelites had
light in the places where they lived.
39

40. EATING A BOOK FROM EZEKIEL 3
Revelation 10:8-11
40

41. Revelation 10:8-11
Then the voice I had heard from heaven
began to speak to me again, “Go and take
the open scroll in the hand of the angel
who is standing on the sea and on the
land.” [9] So I went to the angel and asked
him to give me the little scroll. He said to
me, “Take the scroll and eat it. It will make
your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet
as honey in your mouth.” [10] So I took the
little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it,
and it did taste as sweet as honey in my
mouth, but when I had eaten it, my
stomach became bitter. …
41

42. Ezekiel 2:8-3:3
As for you, son of man, listen to what I am saying to you:
Do not rebel like that rebellious house! Open your mouth
and eat what I am giving you.” [9] Then I looked and
realized a hand was stretched out to me, and in it was a
written scroll. [10] He unrolled it before me, and it had
writing on the front and back; written on it were laments,
mourning, and woe. [3:1] He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you
see in front of you- eat this scroll- and then go and speak
to the house of Israel.” [2] So I opened my mouth and he
fed me the scroll. [3] He said to me, “Son of man, feed your stomach
and fill your belly with this scroll I am giving to you.” So I ate it, and it
was sweet like honey in my mouth.
42

43. MEASURING GOD’S TEMPLE FROM
ZECHARIAH 2
Revelation 11:1-2
43

44. Revelation 11:1-2
Then a measuring rod … was
given to me, and I was told, “Get
up and measure the temple of
God, and the altar, and the ones
who worship there. [2] But do not
measure the outer courtyard of
the temple; leave it out, because
it has been given to the Gentiles,
and they will trample on the holy
city for forty- two months.
44

45. Zechariah 2:1-5
I looked … and there was a man with a
measuring line ... [2] I asked, “Where
are you going?” He replied, “To
measure Jerusalem …” [3] At this point
the angelic messenger who spoke to
me went out, and another messenger
came to meet him [4] and said to him,
“Hurry, speak to this young man as
follows: Jerusalem will no longer be
enclosed by walls because of the multitude of people and
animals there. [5] But I (the Lord says) will be a wall of fire
surrounding Jerusalem and the source of glory in her midst.”
45

46. THE TWO WITNESSES FROM
ZECHARIAH 4
Revelation 11:3-6
46

47. Revelation 11:3-6
And I will grant my two witnesses authority to
prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth. [4]
(These are the two olive trees and the two
lampstands that stand before the Lord of the
earth.) [5] If anyone wants to harm them, fire
comes out of their mouths and completely
consumes their enemies. If anyone wants to harm
them, they must be killed this way. [6] These two
have the power to close up the sky so that it does
not rain during the time they are prophesying.
They have power to turn the waters to blood and
to strike the earth with every kind of plague
whenever they want.
47

48. Zechariah 4:11-14
Next I asked the messenger, “What are
these two olive trees on the right and
the left of the menorah?” [12] Before
he could reply I asked again, “What
are these two extensions of the olive
trees, which are emptying out the
golden oil through the two golden
pipes?” [13] He replied, “Don’t you
know what these are?” And I said,
“No, sir.” [14] So he said, “These are
the two anointed ones who stand by
the Lord of the whole earth.”
48

49. Exodus 7:19-21
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron,
Take your staff and stretch out your hand
over Egypt’s waters … so that it becomes
blood. There will be blood everywhere in
the land of Egypt, even in wooden and
stone containers.” [20] Moses and Aaron
did so, just as the Lord had commanded.
Moses raised the staff and struck the
water that was in the Nile right before the
eyes of Pharaoh and his servants, and all
the water that was in the Nile was turned
to blood. …
49

50. 1 Kings 17:1
Elijah the Tishbite, from
Tishbe in Gilead, said to
Ahab, “As certainly as the
Lord God of Israel lives
(whom I serve), there will
be no dew or rain in the
years ahead unless I give
the command.”
50

51. SATAN THROWN OUT OF HEAVEN
FROM ISAIAH 14
Revelation 12:7-9
51

52. Revelation 12:7-9
Then war broke out in heaven:
Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon, and the dragon
and his angels fought back. [8] But
the dragon was not strong enough
to prevail, so there was no longer
any place left in heaven for him
and his angels. [9] So that huge
dragon- the ancient serpent, the
one called the devil and Satan, who
deceives the whole world- was
thrown down to the earth, and his
angels along with him.
52

53. Isaiah 14:12-15
Look how you have fallen from the sky, O
shining one, son of the dawn! You have been
cut down to the ground, O conqueror of the
nations! [13] You said to yourself, “I will
climb up to the sky. Above the stars of El I
will set up my throne. I will rule on the
mountain of assembly on the remote slopes
of Zaphon. [14] I will climb up to the tops of
the clouds; I will make myself like the Most
High!” [15] But you were brought down to
Sheol, to the remote slopes of the pit.
53

54. BEAST COMING OUT OF THE SEA
FROM DANIEL 7
Revelation 13:1-2
54

55. Revelation 13:1-2
Then I saw a beast coming up out
of the sea. It had ten horns and
seven heads, and on its horns
were ten diadem crowns, and on
its heads a blasphemous name. [2]
Now the beast that I saw was like
a leopard, but its feet were like a
bear’s, and its mouth was like a
lion’s mouth. The dragon gave the
beast his power, his throne, and
great authority to rule.
55

56. Daniel 7:1-7
“I was watching in my vision … as the
four winds of the sky were stirring up
the great sea. [3] Then four large beasts
came up from the sea; they were
different from one another. [4] “The first
one was like a lion with eagles wings. …
[5] “Then a second … like a bear ... [6]
“After these … another beast like a leopard … [7] “After these
things … a fourth beast appeared-one dreadful, terrible, and very
strong. It had two large rows of iron teeth. … It was different from
all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns.
56

57. GOD’S JUDGMENT AS HARVESTING
COMES FROM JOEL 3 AND ISAIAH 63
Revelation 14:14-20
57

58. Revelation 14:14-20
Then I looked , and a white cloud appeared, and seated on
the cloud was one like a son of man! He had a golden crown
on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. [15] Then another
angel came …. shouting … “Use your sickle and start to reap,
because the time to reap has come, since the earth’s harvest
is ripe!” [16] So the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle
over the earth, and the earth was reaped. [17] Then another
angel came … and he too had a sharp sickle. [18] Another
angel … called … “Use your sharp sickle and gather the
clusters of grapes off the vine of the earth, because its grapes
are now ripe.” [19] So the angel swung his sickle over the
earth and gathered the grapes from the vineyard of the earth
and tossed them into the great winepress of the wrath of
God. …
58

59. Joel 3:12-14
Let the nations be roused and let them
go up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, for
there I will sit in judgment on all the
surrounding nations. [13] Rush forth
with the sickle, for the harvest is ripe!
Come, stomp the grapes, for the
winepress is full! The vats overflow.
Indeed, their evil is great! [14] Crowds,
great crowds are in the valley of
decision, for the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of decision!
59

60. Isaiah 63:1-6
Who is this who comes from Edom … coming
from Bozrah? Who is this one wearing royal
attire…? … [2] Why are your clothes red? Why do
you look like someone who has stomped on
grapes in a vat? [3] “I have stomped grapes in the
winepress all by myself … I stomped on them in
my anger; I trampled them down in my rage.
Their juice splashed on my garments, and stained
all my clothes. … [6] I trampled nations in my
anger, I made them drunk in my rage, I splashed
their blood on the ground.”
60

61. FALL OF BABYLON FROM ISAIAH 21 AND
JEREMIAH 51
Revelation 18:1-3
61

62. Revelation 18:1-3
After these things I saw another angel, who
possessed great authority, coming down out of
heaven, and the earth was lit up by his radiance.
[2] He shouted with a powerful voice: “Fallen,
fallen, is Babylon the great! She has become a lair
for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a
haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every
unclean and detested beast. [3] For all the nations
have fallen from the wine of her immoral passion,
and the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality
with her, and the merchants of the earth have gotten rich from
the power of her sensual behavior.”
62

63. Isaiah 21:9
Look what’s coming! A charioteer, a
team of horses.” When questioned,
he replies, “Babylon has fallen,
fallen! All the idols of her gods lie
shattered on the ground!”
63

64. Jeremiah 51:7-8
Babylonia had been a gold
cup in the Lord’s hand. She
had made the whole world
drunk. The nations had drunk
from the wine of her wrath.
So they have all gone mad.
[8] But suddenly Babylonia
will fall and be destroyed. Cry
out in mourning over it! Get
medicine for her wounds!
Perhaps she can be healed!
64

65. THE BRIDE FROM HOSEA 2 AND
ISAIAH 54
Revelation 19:5-9
65

66. Revelation 19:5-9
… [6] Then I heard what sounded like the voice of a
vast throng ... They were shouting: “Hallelujah! For
the Lord our God, the All- Powerful, reigns! [7] Let us
rejoice and exult and give him glory, because the
wedding celebration of the Lamb has come, and his
bride has made herself ready. [8] She was permitted
to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen” (for the fine
linen is the righteous deeds of the saints). [9] Then
the angel said to me, “Write the following: Blessed
are those who are invited to the banquet at the
wedding celebration of the Lamb!” He also said to
me, “These are the true words of God.”
66

67. Hosea 2:19-20
I will commit myself to you
forever; I will commit
myself to you in
righteousness and justice,
in steadfast love and
tender compassion. [20] I
will commit myself to you
in faithfulness; then you
will acknowledge the
Lord.”
67

68. Isaiah 54:1-8
“Shout for joy, O barren one who has not given birth! Give a
joyful shout and cry out, you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one are more numerous
than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord. …
[5] For your husband is the one who made you-the Lord who
commands armies is his name. He is your protector, the Holy
One of Israel. He is called “God of the entire earth.” [6]
“Indeed, the Lord will call you back like a wife who has been
abandoned and suffers from depression, like a young wife
when she has been rejected,” says your God. [7] “For a short
time I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will
gather you. [8] In a burst of anger I rejected you
momentarily, but with lasting devotion I will have
compassion on you,” says your protector, the Lord.
68

69. DIVINE WARRIOR FROM ISAIAH 63,
ISAIAH 11, AND PSALMS 2
Revelation 19:11-16
69

70. Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse!
The one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and
with justice he judges and goes to war. [12] His eyes are
like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on
his head. He has a name written that no one knows
except himself. [13] He is dressed in clothing dipped in
blood, and he is called the Word of God. [14] The armies
that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen,
were following him on white horses. [15] From his mouth
extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the
nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress
of the furious wrath of God, the All- Powerful. [16] He has a name
written on his clothing and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
70

71. Isaiah 63:1-6
Who is this who comes from Edom, dressed in bright
red, coming from Bozrah? Who is this one wearing
royal attire, who marches confidently because of his
great strength? … [2] Why are your clothes red? Why
do you look like someone who has stomped on
grapes in a vat? [3] “I have stomped grapes in the
winepress all by myself ... I stomped on them in my
anger; I trampled them down in my rage. Their juice
splashed on my garments, and stained all my clothes.
[4] For I looked forward to the day of vengeance, and
then payback time arrived. … [6] I trampled nations
in my anger, I made them drunk in my rage, I
splashed their blood on the ground.”
71

72. Isaiah 11:1-5
A shoot will grow out of Jesse’s root stock, a bud will
sprout from his roots. [2] The Lord s spirit will rest on
him- a spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a
spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a
spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord. [3]
He will take delight in obeying the Lord. He will not
judge by mere appearances, or make decisions on
the basis of hearsay. [4] He will treat the poor fairly,
and make right decisions for the downtrodden of the
earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his
mouth, and order the wicked to be executed. [5] Justice will be like a
belt around his waist, integrity will be like a belt around his hips.
72

73. Psalms 2:9
You will break them
with an iron scepter;
you will smash them
like a potter’s jar! “
73

74. A FEW OF MANY OLD TESTAMENT
ALLUSIONS IN REVELATION
74

75. John refers to
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel Daniel
Psalms
Exodus Deuteronomy
75

76. He often reinterprets
Old Testament
passages, giving them
new meanings
In order to understand
the Book of Revelation,
you have to know the
Old Testament
76

77. LOOKING AHEAD
Our next lesson will focus on the historical
background of the Book of Revelation.
77