At once I was in the Spirit,(A) and there before me was a throne in heaven(B) with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper(C) and ruby.(D) A rainbow(E) that shone like an emerald(F) encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.(G) They were dressed in white(H) and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.(I) In front of the throne, seven lamps(J) were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a](K) of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass,(L) clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures,(M) and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.(N) The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.(O) Each of the four living creatures(P) had six wings(Q) and was covered with eyes all around,(R) even under its wings. Day and night(S) they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’[b](T)

who was, and is, and is to come.”(U)

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne(V) and who lives for ever and ever,(W) 10 the twenty-four elders(X) fall down before him(Y) who sits on the throne(Z) and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,(AA)
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”(AB)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 4:5 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
  2. Revelation 4:8 Isaiah 6:3

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Read full chapter

Then I heard the number(A) of those who were sealed: 144,000(B) from all the tribes of Israel.

From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,

from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,

from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

from the tribe of Asher 12,000,

from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,

from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,

from the tribe of Levi 12,000,

from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,

from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,

from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

The Great Multitude in White Robes

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,(C) standing before the throne(D) and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes(E) and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,(F)
who sits on the throne,(G)
and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders(H) and the four living creatures.(I) They fell down on their faces(J) before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”(K)

Read full chapter

And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Read full chapter