Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Rejoicing in Heaven

19 ^1-3 Afterwards I heard what sounded like the mighty roar of a vast crowd in Heaven, crying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just. He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her wickedness, and he has avenged upon her the blood of his servants!” Then they cried a second time, “Alleluia! The smoke of her destruction ascends for timeless ages!”

⁴ Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures prostrated themselves and worshipped God who is seated upon the throne, saying, “Amen, alleluia!”

⁵ Then out of the throne came a voice, saying, “Praise our God, all you who serve him, all you who reverence him, both small and great!”

^6-8 And then I heard a sound like the voices of a vast crowd, the roar of a great waterfall and the rolling of heavy thunder, and they were saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, has come into his kingdom! Let us rejoice, let us be glad with all our hearts. Let us give him the glory, for the wedding-day of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. She may be seen dressed in linen, gleaming and spotless—for such linen is the righteous living of the saints!”

Instruction to John

⁹ Then he said to me, “Write this down: Happy are those who are invited to the wedding-feast of the Lamb!” Then he added, “These are true words of God.”