² who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God^(A) and the testimony of Jesus Christ.^(B)

¹⁰ On the Lord’s Day^(A) I was in the Spirit,^(B) and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,^{(C) 11} which said: “Write on a scroll what you see^(D) and send it to the seven churches:^(E) to Ephesus,^(F) Smyrna,^(G) Pergamum,^(H) Thyatira,^(I) Sardis,^(J) Philadelphia^(K) and Laodicea.”^(L)

¹² I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,^{(M) 13} and among the lampstands^(N) was someone like a son of man,^[a](O) dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet^(P) and with a golden sash around his chest.^(Q)

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet^(A) as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me^(B) and said: “Do not be afraid.^(C) I am the First and the Last.^{(D) 18} I am the Living One; I was dead,^(E) and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!^(F) And I hold the keys of death and Hades.^(G)

¹⁹ “Write, therefore, what you have seen,^(H) what is now and what will take place later.

The Throne in Heaven

4 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)

⁴ Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.^(A) They were dressed in white^(B) and had crowns of gold on their heads.