¹⁷ saying:

⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,”^(A) says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come,^(B) the Almighty.”^(C)

⁵ Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:

Greetings and Doxology

⁴ John,

To the seven churches^(A) in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace to you^(B) from him who is, and who was, and who is to come,^(C) and from the seven spirits^[a](D) before his throne,

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

⁸ Each of the four living creatures^(A) had six wings^(B) and was covered with eyes all around,^(C) even under its wings. Day and night^(D) they never stop saying:

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne^(G) and who lives for ever and ever,^(H)

The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast

¹¹ I saw heaven standing open^(A) and there before me was a white horse, whose rider^(B) is called Faithful and True.^(C) With justice he judges and wages war.^{(D) 12} His eyes are like blazing fire,^(E) and on his head are many crowns.^(F) He has a name written on him^(G) that no one knows but he himself.^{(H) 13} He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,^(I) and his name is the Word of God.^{(J) 14} The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen,^(K) white^(L) and clean. ¹⁵ Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword^(M) with which to strike down^(N) the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”^[a](O) He treads the winepress^(P) of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:^(Q)

¹⁷ And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds^(S) flying in midair,^(T) “Come,^(U) gather together for the great supper of God,^{(V) 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,^(W) free and slave,^(X) great and small.”^(Y)

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast^(Z) and the kings of the earth^(AA) and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse^(AB) and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet^(AC) who had performed the signs^(AD) on its behalf.^(AE) With these signs he had deluded^(AF) those who had received the mark of the beast^(AG) and worshiped its image.^(AH) The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake^(AI) of burning sulfur.^{(AJ) 21} The rest were killed with the sword^(AK) coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse,^(AL) and all the birds^(AM) gorged themselves on their flesh.

The Thousand Years

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

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,^(A) that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.^(B)