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Worship in Heaven

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit,[a] and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit[b] of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:2 Or in spirit.
  2. 4:5 Greek They are the seven spirits.

The Throne in Heaven

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open(A) in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet(B) said, “Come up here,(C) and I will show you what must take place after this.”(D) At once I was in the Spirit,(E) and there before me was a throne in heaven(F) with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper(G) and ruby.(H) A rainbow(I) that shone like an emerald(J) encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.(K) They were dressed in white(L) and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.(M) In front of the throne, seven lamps(N) were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a](O) of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass,(P) clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures,(Q) and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.(R)

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 4:5 That is, the sevenfold Spirit

Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit[a] of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song with these words:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
    a Kingdom of priests for our God.
    And they will reign[b] on the earth.”

11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
    to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and blessing.”

13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
    belong to the one sitting on the throne
    and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:6 Greek which are the seven spirits.
  2. 5:10 Some manuscripts read they are reigning.

Then I saw a Lamb,(A) looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures(B) and the elders.(C) The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes,(D) which are the seven spirits[a](E) of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.(F) And when he had taken it, the four living creatures(G) and the twenty-four elders(H) fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp(I) and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers(J) of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:(K)

“You are worthy(L) to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood(M) you purchased(N) for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.(O)
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests(P) to serve our God,
    and they will reign[b] on the earth.”(Q)

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.(R) They encircled the throne and the living creatures(S) and the elders.(T) 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb,(U) who was slain,(V)
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”(W)

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth(X) and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne(Y) and to the Lamb(Z)
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”(AA)

14 The four living creatures(AB) said, “Amen,”(AC) and the elders(AD) fell down and worshiped.(AE)

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 5:6 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
  2. Revelation 5:10 Some manuscripts they reign