The Throne Room of Heaven

4 After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet^(A) said, ‘Come up here,^(B) and I will show you what must take place after this.’^(C)

² Immediately I was in the Spirit,^(D) and there was a throne in heaven^(E) and someone was seated on it. ³ The one seated^[a] there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone.^(F) A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne.^(G)

⁴ Round the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders^(H) dressed in white clothes,^(I) with golden crowns on their heads.^(J)

⁵ Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne.^(K) Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.^{(L) 6} Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne.^(M)

Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and behind were round the throne on each side. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like an ox; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.^{(N) 8} Each of the four living creatures had six wings;^(O) they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night^(P) they never stop,^[b] saying,

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives for ever and ever,^{(R) 10} the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne^(S) and worship the one who lives for ever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say,