Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast

17 One of the seven angels^(A) who had the seven bowls^(B) came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment^(C) of the great prostitute,^(D) who sits by many waters.^{(E) 2} With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”^(F)

³ Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit^(G) into a wilderness.^(H) There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet^(I) beast that was covered with blasphemous names^(J) and had seven heads and ten horns.^{(K) 4} The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls.^(L) She held a golden cup^(M) in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.^{(N) 5} The name written on her forehead was a mystery:^(O)

⁶ I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people,^(R) the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. ⁷ Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery^(S) of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.^{(T) 8} The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss^(U) and go to its destruction.^(V) The inhabitants of the earth^(W) whose names have not been written in the book of life^(X) from the creation of the world will be astonished^(Y) when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

⁹ “This calls for a mind with wisdom.^(Z) The seven heads^(AA) are seven hills on which the woman sits. ¹⁰ They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. ¹¹ The beast who once was, and now is not,^(AB) is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

¹² “The ten horns^(AC) you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour^(AD) will receive authority as kings along with the beast. ¹³ They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.^{(AE) 14} They will wage war^(AF) against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over^(AG) them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings^(AH)—and with him will be his called, chosen^(AI) and faithful followers.”

¹⁵ Then the angel said to me, “The waters^(AJ) you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.^{(AK) 16} The beast and the ten horns^(AL) you saw will hate the prostitute.^(AM) They will bring her to ruin^(AN) and leave her naked;^(AO) they will eat her flesh^(AP) and burn her with fire.^{(AQ) 17} For God has put it into their hearts^(AR) to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority,^(AS) until God’s words are fulfilled.^{(AT) 18} The woman you saw is the great city^(AU) that rules over the kings of the earth.”

Lament Over Fallen Babylon

18 After this I saw another angel^(AV) coming down from heaven.^(AW) He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.^{(AX) 2} With a mighty voice he shouted:

Warning to Escape Babylon’s Judgment

⁴ Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

Threefold Woe Over Babylon’s Fall

⁹ “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her^(BQ) and shared her luxury^(BR) see the smoke of her burning,^(BS) they will weep and mourn over her.^{(BT) 10} Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off^(BU) and cry:

¹¹ “The merchants^(BX) of the earth will weep and mourn^(BY) over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore^(BZ)— ¹² cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;^{(CA) 13} cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.^(CB)

¹⁴ “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ ¹⁵ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her^(CC) will stand far off,^(CD) terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn^{(CE) 16} and cry out:

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea,^(CJ) will stand far off.^{(CK) 18} When they see the smoke of her burning,^(CL) they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city^(CM)?’^{(CN) 19} They will throw dust on their heads,^(CO) and with weeping and mourning^(CP) cry out:

The Finality of Babylon’s Doom

²¹ Then a mighty angel^(CU) picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea,^(CV) and said:

Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall

19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude^(DE) in heaven shouting:

³ And again they shouted:

⁴ The twenty-four elders^(DN) and the four living creatures^(DO) fell down^(DP) and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

⁵ Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude,^(DT) like the roar of rushing waters^(DU) and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts^(EC) of God’s holy people.)

⁹ Then the angel said to me,^(ED) “Write this:^(EE) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”^(EF) And he added, “These are the true words of God.”^(EG)

¹⁰ At this I fell at his feet to worship him.^(EH) But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!^(EI) For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”^(EJ)

The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast

¹¹ I saw heaven standing open^(EK) and there before me was a white horse, whose rider^(EL) is called Faithful and True.^(EM) With justice he judges and wages war.^{(EN) 12} His eyes are like blazing fire,^(EO) and on his head are many crowns.^(EP) He has a name written on him^(EQ) that no one knows but he himself.^{(ER) 13} He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,^(ES) and his name is the Word of God.^{(ET) 14} The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen,^(EU) white^(EV) and clean. ¹⁵ Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword^(EW) with which to strike down^(EX) the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”^[d](EY) He treads the winepress^(EZ) of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:^(FA)

¹⁷ And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds^(FC) flying in midair,^(FD) “Come,^(FE) gather together for the great supper of God,^{(FF) 18} so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people,^(FG) free and slave,^(FH) great and small.”^(FI)

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast^(FJ) and the kings of the earth^(FK) and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse^(FL) and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet^(FM) who had performed the signs^(FN) on its behalf.^(FO) With these signs he had deluded^(FP) those who had received the mark of the beast^(FQ) and worshiped its image.^(FR) The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake^(FS) of burning sulfur.^{(FT) 21} The rest were killed with the sword^(FU) coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse,^(FV) and all the birds^(FW) gorged themselves on their flesh.

The Thousand Years

20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven,^(FX) having the key^(FY) to the Abyss^(FZ) and holding in his hand a great chain. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan,^(GA) and bound him for a thousand years.^{(GB) 3} He threw him into the Abyss,^(GC) and locked and sealed^(GD) it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations^(GE) anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

⁴ I saw thrones^(GF) on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.^(GG) And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded^(GH) because of their testimony about Jesus^(GI) and because of the word of God.^(GJ) They^[e] had not worshiped the beast^(GK) or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.^(GL) They came to life and reigned^(GM) with Christ a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.^{(GN) 6} Blessed^(GO) and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death^(GP) has no power over them, but they will be priests^(GQ) of God and of Christ and will reign with him^(GR) for a thousand years.

The Judgment of Satan

⁷ When the thousand years are over,^(GS) Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations^(GT) in the four corners of the earth^(GU)—Gog and Magog^(GV)—and to gather them for battle.^(GW) In number they are like the sand on the seashore.^{(GX) 9} They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded^(GY) the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.^(GZ) But fire came down from heaven^(HA) and devoured them. ¹⁰ And the devil, who deceived them,^(HB) was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,^(HC) where the beast^(HD) and the false prophet^(HE) had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.^(HF)

The Judgment of the Dead

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne^(HG) and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence,^(HH) and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small,^(HI) standing before the throne, and books were opened.^(HJ) Another book was opened, which is the book of life.^(HK) The dead were judged^(HL) according to what they had done^(HM) as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades^(HN) gave up the dead^(HO) that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.^{(HP) 14} Then death^(HQ) and Hades^(HR) were thrown into the lake of fire.^(HS) The lake of fire is the second death.^{(HT) 15} Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life^(HU) was thrown into the lake of fire.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”^[f](HV) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,^(HW) and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City,^(HX) the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,^(HY) prepared as a bride^(HZ) beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.^(IA) They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.^{(IB) 4} ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.^(IC) There will be no more death’^[g](ID) or mourning or crying or pain,^(IE) for the old order of things has passed away.”^(IF)

⁵ He who was seated on the throne^(IG) said, “I am making everything new!”^(IH) Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”^(II)

⁶ He said to me: “It is done.^(IJ) I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(IK) the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost^(IL) from the spring of the water of life.^{(IM) 7} Those who are victorious^(IN) will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.^{(IO) 8} But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars^(IP)—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.^(IQ) This is the second death.”^(IR)

The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb

⁹ One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues^(IS) came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride,^(IT) the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰ And he carried me away^(IU) in the Spirit^(IV) to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.^{(IW) 11} It shone with the glory of God,^(IX) and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper,^(IY) clear as crystal.^{(IZ) 12} It had a great, high wall with twelve gates,^(JA) and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.^{(JB) 13} There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. ¹⁴ The wall of the city had twelve foundations,^(JC) and on them were the names of the twelve apostles^(JD) of the Lamb.

¹⁵ The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod^(JE) of gold to measure the city, its gates^(JF) and its walls. ¹⁶ The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia^[h] in length, and as wide and high as it is long. ¹⁷ The angel measured the wall using human^(JG) measurement, and it was 144 cubits^[i] thick.^{[j] 18} The wall was made of jasper,^(JH) and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.^{(JI) 19} The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.^(JJ) The first foundation was jasper,^(JK) the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby,^(JL) the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.^{[k] 21} The twelve gates^(JM) were twelve pearls,^(JN) each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.^(JO)

²² I did not see a temple^(JP) in the city, because the Lord God Almighty^(JQ) and the Lamb^(JR) are its temple. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God^(JS) gives it light,^(JT) and the Lamb^(JU) is its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.^{(JV) 25} On no day will its gates^(JW) ever be shut,^(JX) for there will be no night there.^{(JY) 26} The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.^{(JZ) 27} Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,^(KA) but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.^(KB)

Eden Restored

22 Then the angel showed me the river^(KC) of the water of life,^(KD) as clear as crystal,^(KE) flowing^(KF) from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life,^(KG) bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.^{(KH) 3} No longer will there be any curse.^(KI) The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.^{(KJ) 4} They will see his face,^(KK) and his name will be on their foreheads.^{(KL) 5} There will be no more night.^(KM) They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.^(KN) And they will reign for ever and ever.^(KO)

John and the Angel

⁶ The angel said to me,^(KP) “These words are trustworthy and true.^(KQ) The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets,^(KR) sent his angel^(KS) to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

⁷ “Look, I am coming soon!^(KT) Blessed^(KU) is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”^(KV)

⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.^(KW) And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet^(KX) of the angel who had been showing them to me. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll.^(KY) Worship God!”^(KZ)

¹⁰ Then he told me, “Do not seal up^(LA) the words of the prophecy of this scroll,^(LB) because the time is near.^{(LC) 11} Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”^(LD)

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

¹² “Look, I am coming soon!^(LE) My reward is with me,^(LF) and I will give to each person according to what they have done.^{(LG) 13} I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(LH) the First and the Last,^(LI) the Beginning and the End.^(LJ)

¹⁴ “Blessed are those who wash their robes,^(LK) that they may have the right to the tree of life^(LL) and may go through the gates^(LM) into the city.^{(LN) 15} Outside^(LO) are the dogs,^(LP) those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

¹⁶ “I, Jesus,^(LQ) have sent my angel^(LR) to give you^[l] this testimony for the churches.^(LS) I am the Root^(LT) and the Offspring of David,^(LU) and the bright Morning Star.”^(LV)

¹⁷ The Spirit^(LW) and the bride^(LX) say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.^(LY)

¹⁸ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll:^(LZ) If anyone adds anything to them,^(MA) God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.^{(MB) 19} And if anyone takes words away^(MC) from this scroll of prophecy,^(MD) God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life^(ME) and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

²⁰ He who testifies to these things^(MF) says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”^(MG)

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.^(MH)

²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.^(MI) Amen.

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character