Revelation Through Old Testament Eyes

"It is almost a truism that it is impossible to understand the New Testament without understanding the Old. Not so widely known is that the Book of Revelation has more Old Testament allusions than any other book in the New. It follows that the key for understanding the symbols of Revelation is not the latest news cycle in the Middle East (as claimed by many so-called 'prophecy experts'). It is the Old Testament! And there is no more sure-footed guide to this mysterious book than a premier Old Testament scholar like Tremper Longman. This exceptionally clear and cogent commentary will open your eyes to this capstone volume of the New Testament like never before."

"As a young Christian disciple, reading the book of Revelation was mystifying and puzzling--and therefore ultimately discouraging! What did it all mean? I wish I'd had Tremper Longman's volume as a reading guide. He presents the book's enduring message clearly, and lays out a rich feast of Old Testament connections and Greco-Roman context. As an Old Testament scholar, I learned much from this excellent contribution by a seasoned and thoughtful colleague; as a Christian, my new understanding led to worship. This is a volume that pastors, scholars, and laypeople will find a valuable companion to reading and studying the canon's final book."

"The message of Revelation has been an important one in my own life. I have extensively studied it and have taught it in non-academic settings. So I am pleased to recommend very highly this unique commentary by seasoned Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman. His volume is a rich, readable resource that will lead to a deepened understanding of this biblical book that is saturated with Old Testament quotations, themes, images, allusions, and echoes. Longman proves to be a sure guide on a book that many have ignored, misread, or found mystifying."

"Without the Old Testament, the incredibly amazing and mysterious book of Revelation wouldn't make sense (or we may come to very strange conclusions). So what a unique, strategic and wonderful thing to have Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman write this commentary. I seriously will never do a study on Revelation again without this being a primary guide. It brings us the lens of looking at Revelation through the original readers of Revelation."

"In an age of increasing Biblical illiteracy even in the church, and especially the lack of knowledge of the Old Testament in the church, it is refreshing to have a whole series of books dedicated to 'seeing the New Testament through Old Testament eyes.' Not only so, but we are invited to see it through the eyes of excellent, seasoned Old Testament scholars like Tremper Longman who takes on the formidable task of reading Revelation in that way.

"There are few scholars I'd rather have do such a sensitive and sensible reading than Professor Longman. He is well aware of the nature of apocalyptic prophecy, understands the back and forth of the Christological use of the Old Testament by New Testament writers like John of Patmos, while at the same time doing justice to the way John has been influenced in his interpretation of the Christ event by the Old Testament, especially Isaiah.

"In short, to really get into a place where one can understand John's Scripture-saturated mind (which involves many more allusions and echoes than Old Testament quotes) you need a guide who himself has a Scripture-saturated mind. Tremper Longman is your man, for he has labored long in the Scriptural vineyard, and always provides us with the good fruit of careful interpretation."