Revelation 4:1-22:5

Christian Standard Bible Anglicised

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,

The Lamb Takes the Scroll

5 Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals.^{(W) 2} I also saw a mighty angel^(X) proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? ’ ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open^[d] the scroll or even to look in it. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah,^(Y) the Root of David,^(Z) has conquered^(AA) so that he is able to open the scroll and^[e] its seven seals.’

⁶ Then I saw one like a slaughtered lamb^(AB) standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God^(AC) sent into all the earth. ⁷ He went and took the scroll out of the right hand of the one seated on the throne.

The Lamb Is Worthy

⁸ When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp^(AD) and golden bowls^(AE) filled with incense,^(AF) which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ And they sang a new song:^(AG)

¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, and thousands of thousands.^{(AJ) 12} They said with a loud voice,

¹³ I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth,^(AK) on the sea, and everything in them say,^(AL)

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshipped.

The First Seal on the Scroll

6 Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven^[i] seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder,^(AM) ‘Come! ’ ² I looked, and there was a white horse.^(AN) Its rider held a bow;^(AO) a crown^(AP) was given to him, and he went out as a conqueror in order to conquer.^[j]

The Second Seal

³ When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, ‘Come! ’ ⁴ Then another horse went out, a fiery red one,^(AQ) and its rider was allowed to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And a large sword was given to him.^(AR)

The Third Seal

⁵ When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come! ’ And I looked, and there was a black horse.^(AS) Its rider held a set of scales in his hand.^{(AT) 6} Then I heard something like a voice among the four living creatures say, ‘A litre of wheat for a denarius,^[k] and three litres of barley for a denarius,^(AU) but do not harm the oil and the wine.’^(AV)

The Fourth Seal

⁷ When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, ‘Come! ’ ⁸ And I looked, and there was a pale-green^[l] horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following after him.^(AW) They were^[m] given authority^(AX) over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.^(AY)

The Fifth Seal

⁹ When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God and the testimony they had given.^{[n](AZ) 10} They cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord,^[o] the one who is holy and true,^(BA) how long until you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?^(BB) ’ ¹¹ So they were each given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little while longer until the number would be completed of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters, who were going to be killed just as they had been.

The Sixth Seal

¹² Then I saw him open^[p] the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred;^(BC) the sun turned black like sackcloth^(BD) made of hair; the entire moon^[q] became like blood;^{(BE) 13} the stars^[r] of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; ¹⁴ the sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up;^(BF) and every mountain and island was moved from its place.^(BG)

¹⁵ Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.^{(BH) 16} And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us^(BI) from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, ¹⁷ because the great day of their^[s] wrath has come! And who is able to stand? ’^(BJ)

The Sealed of Israel

7 After this I saw four angels^(BK) standing at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth^(BL) so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. ² Then I saw another angel rising up from the east,^(BM) who had the seal of the living God.^(BN) He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were allowed to harm the earth and the sea, ³ ‘Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees^(BO) until we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.’^{(BP) 4} And I heard the number of the sealed:

A Multitude from the Great Tribulation

⁹ After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language,^(BR) which no one could number,^(BS) standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.^{(BT) 10} And they cried out in a loud voice:

¹¹ All the angels stood around the throne, and along with the elders and the four living creatures they fell face down before the throne and worshipped God, ¹² saying,

¹³ Then one of the elders asked me, ‘Who are these people in white robes, and where did they come from? ’

¹⁴ I said to him, ‘Sir,^[t] you know.’

Then he told me: These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.^(BW) They washed their robes and made them white^(BX) in the blood of the Lamb.

The Seventh Seal

8 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence^(CF) in heaven for about half an hour. ² Then I saw the seven angels who stand in the presence of God;^(CG) seven trumpets were given to them.^{(CH) 3} Another angel, with a golden incense burner, came and stood at the altar. He was given a large amount of incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar in front of the throne.^{(CI) 4} The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up in the presence of God from the angel’s hand. ⁵ The angel took the incense burner, filled it with fire from the altar,^(CJ) and hurled it to the earth; there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.^(CK)

The Seven Trumpets

⁶ And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.

The First Trumpet

⁷ The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire, mixed with blood, were hurled to the earth.^(CL) So a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.^(CM)

The Second Trumpet

⁸ The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain ablaze with fire was hurled into the sea.^(CN) So a third of the sea became blood,^{(CO) 9} a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

The Third Trumpet

¹⁰ The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from heaven.^(CP) It fell on a third of the rivers and springs of water. ¹¹ The name of the star is Wormwood,^(CQ) and a third of the waters became wormwood. So, many of the people died from the waters, because they had been made bitter.

The Fourth Trumpet

¹² The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day was without light and also a third of the night.^(CR)

¹³ I looked and heard an eagle^[v] flying high overhead, crying out in a loud voice, ‘Woe!^(CS) Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth, because of the remaining trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to sound! ’

The Fifth Trumpet

9 The fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth.^(CT) The key for the shaft to the abyss^(CU) was given to him. ² He opened the shaft to the abyss, and smoke came up out of the shaft like smoke from a great^[w] furnace^(CV) so that the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the shaft.^{(CW) 3} Then locusts came out of the smoke on to the earth,^(CX) and power^[x] was given to them^(CY) like the power that scorpions have on the earth.^{(CZ) 4} They were told not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green plant, or any tree,^(DA) but only those people who do not have God’s seal on their foreheads.^{(DB) 5} They were not permitted to kill them but were to torment them for five months; their torment is like the torment caused by a scorpion when it stings someone. ⁶ In those days people will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.^(DC)

⁷ The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle.^(DD) Something like golden crowns was on their heads; their faces were like human faces; ⁸ they had hair like women’s hair; their teeth were like lions’ teeth;^{(DE) 9} they had chests like iron breastplates; the sound of their wings was like the sound of many chariots with horses rushing into battle; ¹⁰ and they had tails with stingers like scorpions, so that with their tails they had the power to harm people for five months. ¹¹ They had as their king^[y] the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon,^[z](DF) and in Greek he has the name Apollyon.^[aa]

¹² The first woe has passed. There are still two more woes to come after this.^(DG)

The Sixth Trumpet

¹³ The sixth angel blew his trumpet. From the four^[ab] horns of the golden altar^(DH) that is before God, I heard a voice ¹⁴ say to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels^(DI) bound at the great river Euphrates.’^{(DJ) 15} So the four angels who were prepared for the hour, day, month, and year^(DK) were released to kill a third^(DL) of the human race. ¹⁶ The number of mounted troops was two hundred million;^[ac] I heard their number. ¹⁷ This is how I saw the horses and their riders in the vision: They had breastplates that were fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulphur yellow. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and from their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulphur.^{(DM) 18} A third of the human race was killed by these three plagues – by the fire, the smoke, and the sulphur that came from their mouths. ¹⁹ For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, because their tails, which resemble snakes, have heads that inflict injury.

²⁰ The rest of the people, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands^(DN) to stop worshipping demons^(DO) and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood,^(DP) which cannot see, hear, or walk.^{(DQ) 21} And they did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.

The Mighty Angel and the Small Scroll

10 Then I saw another mighty angel^(DR) coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow^(DS) over his head.^[ad] His face was like the sun, his legs^[ae] were like pillars of fire,^{(DT) 2} and he held a little scroll opened in his hand. He put his right foot on the sea, his left on the land, ³ and he called out with a loud voice like a roaring lion. When he cried out, the seven thunders raised their voices. ⁴ And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Seal up what the seven thunders said,^(DU) and do not write it down! ’

⁵ Then the angel that I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. ⁶ He swore by the one who lives for ever and ever,^(DV) who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, ‘There will no longer be a delay, ⁷ but in the days when the seventh angel^(DW) will blow his trumpet, then the mystery of God^(DX) will be completed, as he announced to his servants the prophets.’^(DY)

⁸ Then the voice that I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, ‘Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.’

⁹ So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, ‘Take and eat it; it will be bitter in your stomach, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.’^(DZ)

¹⁰ Then I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I ate it, my stomach became bitter.^{(EA) 11} And they said to me, ‘You must prophesy again about^[af] many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.’^(EB)

The Two Witnesses

11 Then I was given a measuring reed^(EC) like a rod,^[ag] with these words: ‘Go^[ah] and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who worship there. ² But exclude the courtyard outside the temple.^(ED) Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations,^[ai](EE) and they will trample the holy city^(EF) for forty-two months.^{(EG) 3} I will grant^[aj] my two witnesses authority to prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth.’^{(EH) 4} These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord^[ak] of the earth.^{(EI) 5} If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and consumes their enemies;^(EJ) if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. ⁶ They have authority to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the days of their prophecy.^(EK) They also have power over the waters to turn them into blood^(EL) and to strike the earth with every plague whenever they want.^(EM)

The Witnesses Martyred

⁷ When they finish their testimony, the beast^(EN) that comes up out of the abyss^(EO) will make war on them, conquer them, and kill them. ⁸ Their dead bodies^[al](EP) will lie in the main street^[am] of the great city,^(EQ) which figuratively^[an] is called Sodom^(ER) and Egypt,^(ES) where also their Lord was crucified. ⁹ And some of^[ao] the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations^(ET) will view their bodies for three and a half days and not permit their bodies to be put into a tomb.^{(EU) 10} Those who live on the earth will gloat^(EV) over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

The Witnesses Resurrected

¹¹ But after three and a half days, the breath^[ap] of life^(EW) from God entered them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. ¹² Then they heard^[aq] a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them.^{(EX) 13} At that moment a violent earthquake took place,^(EY) a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

¹⁴ The second woe^(EZ) has passed. Take note: The third woe is coming soon!

The Seventh Trumpet

¹⁵ The seventh angel blew his trumpet,^(FA) and there were loud voices in heaven saying,

¹⁶ The twenty-four elders, who were seated before God on their thrones, fell face down and worshipped God, ¹⁷ saying,

¹⁹ Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant^[as] appeared in his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder,^(FH) an earthquake,^[at] and severe hail.

The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon

12 A great sign^[au] appeared in heaven:^(FI) a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.^{(FJ) 2} She was pregnant and cried out in labour and agony as she was about to give birth.^{(FK) 3} Then another sign^[av] appeared in heaven: There was a great fiery red dragon^(FL) having seven heads and ten horns,^(FM) and on its heads were seven crowns.^{[aw] 4} Its tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and hurled them to the earth.^(FN) And the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she did give birth it might devour her child.^{(FO) 5} She gave birth to a Son, a male who is going to rule^[ax] all nations with an iron rod.^(FP) Her child was caught up to God and to his throne. ⁶ The woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God,^(FQ) to be nourished there^[ay] for 1,260 days.^(FR)

The Dragon Thrown Out of Heaven

⁷ Then war broke out in heaven: Michael^(FS) and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels also fought, ⁸ but he could not prevail,^(FT) and there was no place for them in heaven any longer.^{(FU) 9} So the great dragon was thrown out – the ancient serpent,^(FV) who is called the devil and Satan,^(FW) the one who deceives the whole world.^(FX) He was thrown to earth, and his angels with him.^{(FY) 10} Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say,

The Woman Persecuted

¹³ When the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he persecuted^[az] the woman who had given birth to the male child. ¹⁴ The woman was given two wings of a great eagle,^(GF) so that she could fly from the serpent’s presence to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time.^{(GG) 15} From his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river flowing after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. ¹⁶ But the earth helped the woman. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river that the dragon had spewed from his mouth. ¹⁷ So the dragon was furious with the woman and went off to wage war^(GH) against the rest of her offspring^[ba](GI) – those who keep the commands of God^(GJ) and hold firmly to the testimony about Jesus.^(GK)

The Beast from the Sea

¹⁸ The dragon^[bb] stood on the sand of the sea.^[bc]

13 And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea.^(GL) It had ten horns and seven heads. On its horns were ten crowns,^[bd](GM) and on its heads were blasphemous names.^{[be](GN) 2} The beast I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth.^(GO) The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority. ³ One of its heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but its fatal wound was healed.

The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.^{(GP) 4} They worshipped the dragon^(GQ) because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshipped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast?^(GR) Who is able to wage war against it? ’

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter boasts and blasphemies.^(GS) It was allowed to exercise authority^[bf][bg] for forty-two months.^{(GT) 6} It began to speak^[bh] blasphemies against God: to blaspheme his name and his dwelling – those who dwell in heaven. ⁷ And it was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them.^(GU) It was also given authority^(GV) over every tribe, people, language, and nation.^{(GW) 8} All those who live on the earth will worship it, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book^[bi] of life^(GX) of the Lamb who was slaughtered.^[bj](GY)

⁹ If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.^(GZ)

This calls for endurance^[bl] and faithfulness from the saints.^(HB)

The Beast from the Earth

¹¹ Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb,^[bm](HC) but it spoke like a dragon. ¹² It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf and compels the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. ¹³ It also performs great signs,^(HD) even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in front of people.^{(HE) 14} It deceives those who live on the earth^(HF) because of the signs that it is permitted to perform in the presence of the beast,^(HG) telling those who live on the earth to make an image^[bn] of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. ¹⁵ It was permitted to give breath^[bo] to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.^{(HH) 16} And it makes everyone – small and great, rich and poor, free and slave –  receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,^{(HI) 17} so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of its name.

¹⁸ This calls for wisdom:^[bp](HJ) Let the one who has understanding calculate^[bq] the number of the beast, because it is the number of a person. Its number is 666.^[br]

The Lamb and the 144,000

14 Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion,^(HK) and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.^{(HL) 2} I heard a sound^[bs] from heaven like the sound of cascading waters^(HM) and like the rumbling of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like harpists playing on their harps.^{(HN) 3} They sang^[bt] a new song^(HO) before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders,^(HP) but no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. ⁴ These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, since they remained virgins.^(HQ) These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were redeemed^[bu] from humanity as the firstfruits^(HR) for God and the Lamb. ⁵ No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.^(HS)

The Proclamation of Three Angels

⁶ Then I saw another angel^(HT) flying high overhead,^(HU) with the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth – to every nation, tribe, language, and people.^{(HV) 7} He spoke with a loud voice:^(HW) ‘Fear God^(HX) and give him glory,^(HY) because the hour of his judgement has come.^(HZ) Worship the one who made heaven and earth,^(IA) the sea and the springs of water.’

⁸ And another, a second angel, followed, saying, ‘It has fallen, Babylon the Great^(IB) has fallen.^[bv] She made all the nations drink the wine of her sexual immorality,^[bw] which brings wrath.’^(IC)

⁹ And another, a third angel, followed them and spoke with a loud voice: ‘If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, ¹⁰ he will also drink the wine of God’s wrath, which is poured full strength into the cup of his anger.^(ID) He will be tormented with fire and sulphur^(IE) in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb, ¹¹ and the smoke of their torment will go up for ever and ever.^(IF) There is no rest^[bx](IG) day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or anyone who receives the mark^(IH) of its name. ¹² This calls for endurance from the saints,^(II) who keep God’s commands and their faith in Jesus.’^[by]

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’^(IJ)

‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so they will rest from their labours, since their works follow them.’

Reaping the Earth’s Harvest

¹⁴ Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and one like the Son of Man^[bz](IK) was seated on the cloud, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. ¹⁵ Another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the one who was seated on the cloud, ‘Use your sickle and reap, for the time to reap has come, since the harvest of the earth is ripe.’^{(IL) 16} So the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

¹⁷ Then another angel who also had a sharp sickle came out of the temple in heaven. ¹⁸ Yet another angel, who had authority over fire, came from the altar, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, ‘Use your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the vineyard of the earth, because its grapes have ripened.’ ¹⁹ So the angel swung his sickle at the earth and gathered the grapes from the vineyard of the earth, and he threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath.^{(IM) 20} Then the press was trampled outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press up to the horses’ bridles for about 300 kilometres.^[ca](IN)

Preparation for the Bowl Judgements

15 Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign^[cb] in heaven:^(IO) seven angels with the seven last plagues; for with them God’s wrath will be completed.^{(IP) 2} I also saw something like a sea of glass^(IQ) mixed with fire, and those who had won the victory over the beast, its image,^[cc] and the number of its name, were standing on the sea of glass with harps from God.^{(IR) 3} They sang the song of God’s servant Moses^(IS) and the song of the Lamb:

⁵ After this I looked, and the heavenly temple – the tabernacle of testimony^(IX) – was opened.^{(IY) 6} Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes wrapped round their chests. ⁷ One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God who lives for ever and ever.^{(IZ) 8} Then the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power,^(JA) and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

The First Bowl

16 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels,^(JB) ‘Go and pour out the seven^[ce] bowls^(JC) of God’s wrath on the earth.’ ² The first went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and severely painful sores^(JD) broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped its image.

The Second Bowl

³ The second^[cf] poured out his bowl into the sea. It turned to blood like that of a dead person, and all life in the sea died.^(JE)

The Third Bowl

⁴ The third^[cg] poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood.^{(JF) 5} I heard the angel of the waters say,

⁷ I heard the altar say,

The Fourth Bowl

⁸ The fourth^[ch] poured out his bowl on the sun. It was allowed to scorch people with fire, ⁹ and people were scorched by the intense heat. So they blasphemed the name of God,^(JL) who has the power^[ci] over these plagues, and they did not repent and give him glory.^(JM)

The Fifth Bowl

¹⁰ The fifth^[cj] poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast,^(JN) and its kingdom was plunged into darkness.^(JO) People^[ck] gnawed their tongues because of their pain ¹¹ and blasphemed the God of heaven^(JP) because of their pains and their sores, but they did not repent of their works.

The Sixth Bowl

¹² The sixth^[cl] poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates,^(JQ) and its water was dried up^(JR) to prepare the way for the kings from the east. ¹³ Then I saw three unclean spirits like frogs^(JS) coming from the dragon’s mouth,^(JT) from the beast’s mouth,^(JU) and from the mouth of the false prophet.^{(JV) 14} For they are demonic spirits performing signs,^(JW) who travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them^(JX) for the battle on the great day of God, the Almighty.^{(JY) 15} ‘Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed^(JZ) is the one who is alert and remains clothed^[cm](KA) so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.’^{(KB) 16} So they assembled the kings at the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.^[cn](KC)

The Seventh Bowl

¹⁷ Then the seventh^[co] poured out his bowl into the air,^[cp] and a loud voice came out of the temple^[cq](KD) from the throne, saying, ‘It is done! ’ ¹⁸ There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. And a severe earthquake occurred like no other since people have been on the earth, so great was the quake.^{(KE) 19} The great city^(KF) split into three parts, and the cities of the nations^[cr] fell. Babylon the Great was remembered in God’s presence; he gave her the cup filled with the wine of his fierce anger.^{(KG) 20} Every island fled, and the mountains disappeared.^{(KH) 21} Enormous hailstones, each weighing about fifty kilograms,^[cs] fell from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God^(KI) for the plague of hail because that plague was extremely severe.^(KJ)

The Woman and the Scarlet Beast

17 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls^(KK) came and spoke with me: ‘Come, I will show you the judgement of the notorious prostitute^[ct](KL) who is seated on many^[cu] waters.^{(KM) 2} The kings of the earth^(KN) committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.’^{(KO) 3} Then he carried me away in the Spirit^[cv](KP) to a wilderness.

I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered^[cw] with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.^{(KQ) 4} The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls.^(KR) She had a golden cup in her hand filled with everything detestable^(KS) and with the impurities of her^[cx] prostitution. ⁵ On her forehead was written a name, a mystery:^(KT) Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Detestable Things of the Earth. ⁶ Then I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses to Jesus.^(KU) When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

The Meaning of the Woman and of the Beast

⁷ Then the angel said to me, ‘Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the ten horns, that carries her. ⁸ The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss^(KV) and go to destruction.^(KW) Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world^(KX) will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come.^{(KY) 9} This calls for a mind that has wisdom.^[cy](KZ)

‘The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. They are also seven kings: ¹⁰ Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for only a little while. ¹¹ The beast that was and is not, is itself an eighth king, but it belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. ¹² The ten horns you saw are ten kings^(LA) who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.^{(LB) 13} These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴ These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings.^(LC) Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.’^(LD)

¹⁵ He also said to me, ‘The waters you saw,^(LE) where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.^{(LF) 16} The ten horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute.^(LG) They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire.^{(LH) 17} For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his plan by having one purpose^(LI) and to give their kingdom^[cz] to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled.^{(LJ) 18} And the woman you saw is the great city that has royal power over the kings of the earth.’

The Fall of Babylon the Great

18 After this I saw another angel with great authority coming down from heaven,^(LK) and the earth was illuminated by his splendour. ² He called out in a mighty voice:

⁴ Then I heard another voice from heaven:

The World Mourns Babylon’s Fall

⁹ The kings of the earth who have committed sexual immorality and shared her sensual and excessive ways will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke from her burning. ¹⁰ They will stand far off in fear of her torment,^(MA) saying,

¹¹ The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo any longer –  ¹² cargo of gold, silver, jewels, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; all kinds of fragrant wood products; objects of ivory; objects of expensive wood, brass,^[df] iron, and marble; ¹³ cinnamon, spice,^[dg] incense, myrrh,^[dh] and frankincense; wine, olive oil, fine flour, and grain; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and slaves – human lives.^(MC)

¹⁵ The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand far off in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, ¹⁶ saying,

And every shipmaster, seafarer, the sailors, and all who do business by sea, stood far off ¹⁸ as they watched the smoke from her burning and kept crying out, ‘Who was like the great city? ’^{(ME) 19} They threw dust on their heads and kept crying out, weeping, and mourning,^(MF)

The Finality of Babylon’s Fall

²¹ Then a mighty angel^(MJ) picked up a stone like a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,

Celebration in Heaven

19 After this I heard something like the loud voice of a vast multitude^(MQ) in heaven, saying,

³ A second time they said,

⁴ Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God,^(MX) who is seated on the throne, saying,

⁵ A voice came from the throne, saying,

⁶ Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters,^(NA) and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying,

For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints.^(NF)

⁹ Then he^[dj] said to me,^(NG) ‘Write: Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast^(NH) of the Lamb! ’ He also said to me, ‘These words of God are true.’^{(NI) 10} Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘Don’t do that!^(NJ) I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who hold firmly to the testimony of Jesus.^(NK) Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit^[dk] of prophecy.’

The Rider on a White Horse

¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened,^(NL) and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True,^(NM) and with justice he judges and makes war.^{(NN) 12} His eyes were like a fiery flame,^(NO) and many crowns^[dl] were on his head.^(NP) He had a name written that no one knows except himself.^{(NQ) 13} He wore a robe dipped in blood,^(NR) and his name is called the Word of God.^{(NS) 14} The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. ¹⁵ A sharp^[dm] sword^(NT) came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it.^(NU) He will rule^[dn] them with an iron rod.^(NV) He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God,^(NW) the Almighty. ¹⁶ And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and L ord of L ords.^(NX)

The Beast and Its Armies Defeated

¹⁷ Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he called out in a loud voice, saying to all the birds flying high overhead, ‘Come, gather together for the great supper of God, ¹⁸ so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of military commanders, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and of their riders, and the flesh of everyone, both free and slave, small and great.’^(NY)

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies^(NZ) gathered together to wage war^(OA) against the rider on the horse and against his army. ²⁰ But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with it the false prophet, who had performed the signs in its presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshipped its image with these signs.^(OB) Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur.^{(OC) 21} The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds ate their fill of their flesh.

Satan Bound

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven holding the key to the abyss^(OD) and a great chain^(OE) in his hand. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan,^[do](OF) and bound^(OG) him for a thousand years. ³ He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it^(OH) so that he would no longer deceive the nations^(OI) until the thousand years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time.

The Saints Reign with Christ

⁴ Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge.^(OJ) I also saw the souls of those^(OK) who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus^(OL) and because of the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands.^(OM) They came to life^(ON) and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.^{(OO) 5} The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed.

This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed^(OP) and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death^(OQ) has no power^[dp] over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.^(OR)

Satanic Rebellion Crushed

⁷ When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations^(OS) at the four corners of the earth,^(OT) Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle.^(OU) Their number is like the sand of the sea.^{(OV) 9} They came up across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city.^(OW) Then fire came down from heaven^[dq] and consumed them.^{(OX) 10} The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet are,^(OY) and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.^(OZ)

The Great White Throne Judgement

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them.^{(PA) 12} I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.^(PB) Another book was opened, which is the book of life,^(PC) and the dead were judged according to their works^(PD) by what was written in the books. ¹³ Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades^(PE) gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. ¹⁴ Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.^(PF) This is the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

The New Creation

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth;^(PG) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,^(PH) and the sea was no more.^{(PI) 2} I also saw the holy city,^(PJ) the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,^(PK) prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.^(PL)

³ Then I heard a loud voice^(PM) from the throne:^[dr](PN) Look, God’s dwelling^[ds] is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples,^[dt](PO) and God himself will be with them and will be their God.^{[du] 4} He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.^(PP) Death will be no more;^(PQ) grief, crying, and pain will be no more,^(PR) because the previous things^[dv] have passed away.^(PS)

⁵ Then the one seated on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new.’ He also said, ‘Write, because these words^[dw] are faithful and true.’^{(PT) 6} Then he said to me, ‘It is done!^(PU) I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(PV) the beginning and the end.^(PW) I will freely give to the thirsty^(PX) from the spring of the water of life.^{(PY) 7} The one who conquers^(PZ) will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.^{(QA) 8} But the cowards, faithless,^[dx] detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars^(QB) – their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur,^(QC) which is the second death.’^(QD)

The New Jerusalem

⁹ Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues,^(QE) came and spoke with me: ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ ¹⁰ He then carried me away in the Spirit^[dy](QF) to a great, high mountain^(QG) and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, ¹¹ arrayed with God’s glory.^(QH) Her radiance was like a precious jewel, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. ¹² The city had a massive high wall, with twelve gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates. ¹³ There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.^{(QI) 14} The city wall had twelve foundations, and the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb were on the foundations.

¹⁵ The one who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod^(QJ) to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.^{(QK) 16} The city is laid out in a square; its length and width are the same. He measured the city with the rod at 12,000 stadia.^[dz] Its length, width, and height are equal. ¹⁷ Then he measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which the angel used. ¹⁸ The building material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold clear as glass. ¹⁹ The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of jewel:^(QL) the first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. ²¹ The twelve gates are twelve pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The main street^[ea] of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.

²² I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.^{(QM) 24} The nations will walk by its light,^(QN) and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.^{[eb](QO) 25} Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there.^{(QP) 26} They will bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.^{[ec](QQ) 27} Nothing unclean will ever enter it,^(QR) nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.^(QS)

The Source of Life

22 Then he showed me the river^[ed] of the water of life,^(QT) clear as crystal,^(QU) flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb^{(QV) 2} down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month.^(QW) The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations,^{(QX) 3} and there will no longer be any curse.^(QY) The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. ⁴ They will see his face,^(QZ) and his name will be on their foreheads.^{(RA) 5} Night will be no more;^(RB) people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light,^(RC) and they will reign for ever and ever.