The Throne Room of Heaven
1 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 v said, “Come up here, w and I will show you what must take place after this.” x
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, y and there was a throne in heaven z and someone was seated on it. 3 The one seated S there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. a A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne. b
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty- four elders c dressed in white clothes, d with golden crowns on their heads. e
5 Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne. f Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. g 6 Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. h
Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were around 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. i 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; j they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night k they never stop, T saying,
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty,
who was, who is, and who is to come. l
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, m 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne n and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say,
11 Our Lord and God, U
you are worthy o to receive
glory and honor and power, p
because you have created all things, q
and by your will
they exist and were created.