Because the
major part of the book of Revelation is prophetic, and will be
fulfilled after the Church Age, it is only logical that Daniel of often
alluded to, or quoted in part as the book progresses. Scholars of all
prophetic and theological persuasions have taken note of this fact. But
it is also true that many other Old Testament books are also made
mention of. Swete says
The writer of the Apocalypse refers to each of the three great
divisions of the Hebrew canon, and to most of the books. He
lays under contribution each of the books of the Law, the Book
of Judges, the four Books of Kingdoms, the Psalms, the
Proverbs, the Song [of Solomon], the Book of Job, all the major
and seven of the minor Prophets. But there are certain books which
he uses with especial frequency; more than, half his references to the
Old Testament belong to the Psalms, the prophecies of Isaiah
and Ezekiel, and the Book of Daniel, and in proportion to its
length the Book of Daniel yields by far the greatest number.1
Swete adds that Revelation often uses words, phrases, and simple
indirect quotes, sometimes "with no special allusion to particular
contexts."2
But there are other references in which it is clear that [John] has
in view certain books and passages, and is practically quoting
from them, although no formula of quotation is used. These
occur chiefly in the visions of the Apocalypse, which are
based in almost every case on the histories or the prophecies of the
Old Testament.3
Bullinger concurs:
Who can doubt that Daniel and Revelation are identical as to their
scope; and that they relate, not to this present church period at all,
but to the time when "he that liveth," or the Living One, shall
come to exercise dominion in the earth, and this in connection, not
with grace of God, but with "the wrath of God" (Rev. xv.7)? The
double testimony of two witnesses, in Daniel and Revelation,
bespeak the fact that this title relates entirely to the earth, and to man.4
One connection that stands out is the quote by John the apostle
to the Messiah coming from glory to reign. He writes, "Behold, He is
coming with the clouds" (Rev. 1:7), and one is standing "like a son of
man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, …" (v. 13). This picture is
found in Daniel 7:13, "And behold, with the clouds of heaven one like a
Son of Man was coming." Jesus repeats this vision in Matthew 24:30b:
"The Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great
glory." The Lord also gives the same prophecy to Caiaphas at His trial.
"Hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of
power, and coming on the clouds of heaven" (26:64).
This historical event is further described in Revelation when John writes,
Behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and
True; ...And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it
He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of
iron; ...He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF
LORDS." (Rev. 19:11-16)
With 404 verses in the book of Revelation, there are 278 which
"contain references to the Jewish Scriptures."4 The parallels can best
be seen in the Greek quotes found in the Septuagint (LXX). Below are
most of these allusions and phrases, as found in both Daniel and
Revelation:6
This historical event is further described in Revelation when John writes,
- Daniel Revelation
- 1:(12), 14 2:10
- 2:28 1:1
- 2:29 2:19
- 2:35 12:8
- 2:44 11:13
- 2:47 17:14
- 3:4; 7:14 10:11
- 3:6 13:15
- 4:31, (34) 4:10
- 5:23 9:20
- 7:3 11:7
- 7:6 13:2
- 7:7 12:3
- 7:9 1:14; 20:4
- 7:13 1:7
- 7:13; 10:16 1:13
- 7:10 5:11; 20:12
- 7:20 13:5
- 7:21 13:7
- 7:24 12:14
- 8:26 10:4
- 9:6 10:7
- 10:5 1:13
- 10:6 19:6
- 10:9, 12 1:17
- 10:13 12:7
- 12:1 7:14; 16:18; 20:15
- Henry Barclay Swete, Commentary on Revelation (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1977), cliii.
- Ibid.
- Ibid., cliii-cliv.
- E. W. Bullinger, Commentary on Revelation (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1984), 24.
- Henry Barclay Swete, Commentary on Revelation, cxl.
- Ibid., cxl-cliii.
