of Jesus Christ
Author
Four times the author refers to himself as “John” (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8). He was so well known to his readers and his spiritual authority was so widely acknowledged that he did not need to establish his credentials. Early church tradition unanimously attributes this book to the apostle John.
Background and Date
Evidence within Revelation indicates that it was written during a period of extreme persecution of Christians, which possibly was that begun by Nero after the great fire that nearly destroyed Rome in July of A.D. 64 and continued until his suicide in June of A.D. 68. In this view, the book thus was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in September of A.D. 70, and is an authentic prophecy concerning the continuing suffering and persecution of Christians, which would become even more intense and severe in the years ahead. On the basis of isolated statements by the early church fathers, some interpreters date the book near the end of the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81–96), after John had fled to Ephesus.
Occasion and Purpose
Under the inspiration of the Spirit and the Old Testament, John had no doubt been reflecting on the horrifying events occurring both in Rome and Jerusalem when he was given “the prophecy” of what was impending—the intensification of the spiritual warfare confronting the church (1:3) perpetrated by an anti-Christian state and numerous anti-Christian religions. The purpose of this message was to provide pastoral encouragement to persecuted Christians by comforting, challenging, and proclaiming the sure and certain Christian hope, together with the assurance that in Christ they were sharing in the sovereign God’s method of totally overcoming the forces of evil in all its manifestations. Revelation also gives a forecast of history, including its apocalyptic conclusion, while giving an evangelistic appeal to those who are presently living in the kingdom of darkness to enter the Kingdom of Light (22:17).
Content
The central message of the Revelation is that “the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” (19:6). This theme has been validated in history by the victory of the Lamb who is “Lord of lords and King of kings” (17:14).
Yet, those who follow the Lamb are involved in a continuing spiritual conflict, and Revelation thus provides deeper insight into the nature and tactics of the Enemy (Eph. 6:10–12). The Dragon, frustrated by his defeat at the Cross and the consequent restraints placed upon his activity, and desperate to thwart the purposes of God before his inevitable doom, develops a counterfeit trinity “to make war” on the saints (12:17). The first “beast” or monster symbolizes the reality of anti-Christian government and political power (13:1–10, 13); and the second, anti-Christian religion, philosophy, and ideology (13:11–17). Together they produce the ultimately deceptive and seductive anti-Christian secular society, commerce, and culture, the harlot Babylon (chs. 17; 18), composed of those “who dwell on earth.” These thus bear the “mark” of the monster, and their names are not registered in “the Lamb’s Book of Life.” The Dragon continually delegates his restricted power and authority to the monsters and their followers in order to deceive and discourage anyone from God’s creative-redemptive purpose.
NOTE: If you have not yet read the article “In Studying the Book of Revelation,” which immediately precedes this introduction, it is important to your use of this resource that you do so.
Personal Application
God has created the orders of community, that is, marriage and the family, economic activity, government and the state (see Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Tim. 2:1, 2). Satan, unable to create anything, tempts others to distort and misuse what God has created. Christians must discern whether a government is functioning under divine authority or as a divine authority. When the latter is the case, Christians must pray, courageously endure, and patiently accept the consequences of obeying the God whose image and seal they bear (see Mark 12:16, 17; Acts 4:19). They must do so in the confidence that after their victorious sufferings they will reign with Him.
Behind the appearances of the pomp and power of the world, there is the reality of the absolute sovereignty of the Lord God who is the Lamb, which ensures the ultimate doom of sin and evil. God is utilizing all the forces of evil, all the consequences of sin, even the suffering of His saints, to accomplish His own purposes. Believers undergoing persecution need to know that their sufferings are not meaningless, and ultimately they will be vindicated. The mainspring of Christian hope and courage is the certainty that the Enemy has been defeated and is doomed, and that followers of the Lamb are not fighting a losing cause. He has already overcome, and therefore they can and will be overcomers!
Literary Form
After a preface, Revelation begins (1:4–7) and ends (22:21) as a typical New Testament letter. Although containing seven letters to the seven churches, it is clear that every member is to “hear” the message to each of the churches (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22), as well as the message of the entire book (1:3; 22:16), in order that they might obey it (1:3; 22:9). Within this letter is “the prophecy” (1:3; 10:11; 19:10; 22:6, 7, 10, 18, 19). According to Paul, “he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation [encouragement] and comfort to men” (1 Cor. 14:3). The prophet speaks God’s Word as a call to obedience in the present and immediate future situation in the light of the ultimate future. This prophecy was not to be sealed up (22:10) because it is relevant to Christians in every generation.
Method of Communication
John received these prophecies through a series of vivid visions containing symbolic images and numbers that echo those found in the prophetic books of the Old Testament. John records these visions in the chronological order in which he received them, many of them pictures of the same events from different perspectives. He does not, however, provide a chronological order in which certain historical events are to occur. For example, Jesus is born in chapter 12, is exalted in chapter 5, and is walking in the midst of His churches in chapter 1. The Beast who attacks the two witnesses in chapter 11 is not brought into existence until chapter 13. John records a series of successive visions, not a series of consecutive events.
The Revelation is a cosmic pageant—an elaborate, colorful series of tableaux, accompanied and interpreted by celestial speakers and singers. The spoken word is elevated prose, more poetic than our translations indicate. The music is similar to a cantata. Repeatedly, themes are introduced, later reintroduced, combined with other themes, and developed.
The entire message is “signified” (1:1). This is a key to the understanding of the visions, all of which contain figurative language pointing to the spiritual realities in and behind historical experience. Signs and symbols are essential because spiritual truth and unseen reality must always be communicated to human beings through their senses. Symbols point to what is ultimately indescribable. For example, the account of the demonic locusts from the Abyss (9:1–12) creates a vivid, horrifying impression, even though the minute details are not intended to be interpreted.
Christ Revealed
Nearly every title employed elsewhere in the New Testament to describe the divine-human nature and the redemptive work of Jesus is mentioned at least once in Revelation, which, together with numerous additional titles, provides us with our only multidimensional unveiling of the present position, continuing ministry, and ultimate victory of the exalted Christ.
Although Jesus’ earthly ministry is telescoped between His Incarnation and Ascension in 12:5, Revelation asserts that the Son of God, as the Lamb, has completely finished His redemptive work (1:5, 6). By His blood sinners have been forgiven, cleansed (5:6, 9; 7:14; 12:11), liberated (1:5), and made kings and priests (1:6; 5:10). All ensuing manifestations of His applied victory are based in His finished work on the Cross; hence, Satan has been defeated (12:7–12) and bound (20:1–3). Jesus, raised from the dead, is enthroned as absolute Sovereign over all creation (1:5; 2:27). He is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (17:14; 19:16), and is entitled to the same ascriptions of adoration as God the Creator (5:12–14).
The only One who is “worthy” to execute the eternal purpose of God is “the Lion of Judah,” who is not a political Messiah but a sacrificed Lamb (5:5, 6). “The Lamb” is His primary title, utilized twenty-eight times in Revelation. As the One who has conquered, He has the rightful authority and the power to control all the forces of evil and their consequences for His purposes of judgment and salvation (6:1—7:17). The Lamb is on the throne (4:1—5:14; 22:3).
The Lamb, as “One like the Son of Man,” is always in the midst of His people (1:9—3:22; 14:1), whose names are recorded in His Book of Life (3:5; 21:27). He knows them intimately, and with immeasurable holy love, He watches over, protects, disciplines, and challenges them. They share fully in His present and future victory (17:14; 19:11–16; 21:1—22:5), as well as in His present and future “marriage supper” (19:7–9; 21:2). He dwells in them (1:13), and they dwell in Him (21:22).
As “One like the Son of Man,” He also is the Lord of the final harvest (14:14–20). He pours out His wrath in judgment upon Satan (20:10), his allies (19:20; 20:14), and the spiritually “dead” (20:12, 15)—all those who have chosen to “dwell on the earth” (3:10).
The Lamb is the God who is coming (1:7, 8; 11:17; 22:7, 20) to consummate His eternal plan, to complete the creation of the new community of His people in “a new heaven and a new earth” (21:1) and to restore the blessings of the Paradise of God (22:2–5). The Lamb is the goal of all history (22:13).
The Holy Spirit at Work
The description of the Holy Spirit as “the seven Spirits of God” (1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6) is distinct in the New Testament. The number seven is a symbolic, qualitative number conveying the idea of completeness and, when related to God, the idea of perfection. The Holy Spirit is thus denoted in terms of the perfection of His dynamic, manifold activity. The “seven lamps of fire” (4:5) suggest His illuminating, purifying, and energizing ministries. That the seven Spirits are before the throne (1:4; 4:5) and simultaneously are the seven eyes of the Lamb (5:6) signifies the essential triunity of God who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is a mutual indwelling of the Persons without dissolving the distinctions of essential being and function.
Each of the messages to the seven churches is from the exalted Lord, yet the individual members are urged to hear “what the Spirit says” (chs. 2; 3). The Spirit only says what the Lord Jesus says.
The Spirit is thus the Spirit of prophecy. Every genuine prophecy is inspired by the Holy Spirit and bears witness to Jesus (19:10). The prophetic visions are communicated to John only when he is “in the Spirit” (1:10; 4:2; 21:10). The content of these visions is nothing less than “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1).
All genuine prophecy demands a response. “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ ” (22:17). Everyone either hears or refuses to hear this appeal. The Spirit is working continuously in and through the church to invite those who remain outside the City of God to enter. Only by the empowering of the Spirit is the bride enabled to witness and “patiently endure.” The Spirit thus penetrates the present experience of those who hear with foretastes of the kingdom’s future fulfillment.
Outline of Revelation
Prologue 1:1
I. The letters to the seven churches 1:9—3:22
A. The setting: One like the Son of Man 1:9–20
1. The throne of God 4:1–11
2. The Lamb and the scroll 5:1–14
1. First seal: white horse 6:1, 2
2. Second seal: red horse 6:3, 4
3. Third seal: black horse 6:5, 6
4. Fourth seal: pale green horse 6:7, 8
5. Fifth seal: souls under the altar 6:9–11
6. Sixth seal: cosmic catastrophe 6:12–17
a. First interlude: 144,000 sealed 7:1–8
b. Second interlude: a great multitude 7:9–17
7. Seventh seal: silence in heaven 8:1
III. The seven trumpets 8:2—11:18
A. The setting: the golden altar 8:2–6
1. First trumpet: Earth 8:7
3. Third trumpet: rivers 8:10, 11
4. Fourth trumpet: sun 8:12
5. Fifth trumpet: first woe—demonic locusts 8:13—9:12
6. Sixth trumpet: second woe—cavalry 9:13–21
a. First interlude: the little scroll 10:1–11
b. Second interlude: two witnesses 11:1–14
7. Seventh trumpet: third woe—voices in heaven 11:15–18
IV. The seven signs 11:19—15:4
A. The setting: the ark of the covenant 11:19
1. The woman, Dragon, Child, Michael 12:1–17
2. The beast from the sea 13:1–10
3. The Beast from the Earth 13:11–18
4. The Lamb and the 144,000 14:1–5
5. Four proclamations 14:6–13
6. The final harvest 14:14–20
7. The seven angels and the song of the Lamb 15:1–4
A. The setting: the tent of witness 15:5—16:1
B. Seven bowls 16:2–21
1. First bowl: Earth 16:2
2. Second bowl: sea 16:3
3. Third bowl: rivers 16:4–7
5. Fifth bowl: throne of the Beast 16:10, 11
6. Sixth bowl: Euphrates 16:12
(Interlude: three unclean spirits) 16:13–16
7. Seventh bowl: the cities of the nations 16:17–21
VI. The seven spectacles 17:1—20:3
A. The setting: a wilderness 17:1–3
1. A woman on a scarlet beast 17:3–5
2. The mystery of the woman and the beast 17:6–18
3. Seven voices: Babylon fallen 18:1—19:10
4. King of kings and Lord of lords 19:11–16
5. The supper of the great God 19:17, 18
6. The war 19:19–21
7. Satan bound 20:1–3
VII. The seven sights of the consummation 20:4—22:5
A. The setting 20:4–10
1. Living and reigning with Christ 20:4–6
2. Satan released to deceive 20:7–10
1. The Great White Throne 20:11
2. The Last Judgment 20:12–15
3. The new heaven and new earth 21:1
4. The New Jerusalem 21:2–8
5. The bride of the Lamb 21:9–21
6. The light of God’s presence 21:22–27
7. Paradise regained 22:1–5
Epilogue 22:6–21
A. Seven confirming witnesses 22:6–17
B. Final warning and assurance 22:18–20
C. Benediction 22:21
Introduction and Benediction
1 THE Revelation of Jesus Christ, awhich God gave Him to show His *servants—things which must 1shortly take place. And bHe sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 awho bore witness to the word of God, and to the *testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things bthat he saw.
3 aBlessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this *prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for bthe time is near.
Greeting the Seven Churches
4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him awho is and bwho was and who is to come, cand from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
5 and from Jesus Christ, athe faithful bwitness, the cfirstborn from the dead, and dthe ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him ewho 1loved us fand washed us from our sins in His own blood,
6 and has amade us 1kings and priests to His God and Father, bto Him be *glory and *dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, He is coming with aclouds, and every eye will see Him, even bthey who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 a“I am the Alpha and the Omega, 1the Beginning and the End,” says the 2Lord, b“who is and who was and who is to come, the cAlmighty.”
Vision of the Son of Man
9 I, John, 1both your brother and acompanion in the tribulation and bkingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 aI was in the Spirit on bthe Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me ca loud voice, as of a trumpet,
11 saying, 1“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches 2which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned aI saw seven golden lampstands,
13 aand in the midst of the seven lampstands bOne like the Son of Man, cclothed with a garment down to the feet and dgirded about the chest with a golden band.
14 His head and ahair were white like wool, as white as snow, and bHis eyes like a flame of fire;
15 aHis feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and bHis voice as the sound of many waters;
16 aHe had in His right hand seven stars, bout of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, cand His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 And awhen I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But bHe laid His right hand on me, saying 1to me, “Do not *be afraid; cI am the First and the Last.
18 a“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, bI am alive forevermore. Amen. And cI have the keys of 1Hades and of Death.
19 1“Write the things which you have aseen, band the things which are, cand the things which will take place after this.
20 “The 1mystery* of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are athe 2angels of the seven churches, and bthe seven lampstands 3which you saw are the seven churches.
THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF THE APOCALYPSE
The churches of seven cities were recipients of an apocalyptic letter from the Lord through John. By commendation, rebuke, and warning, the people of God were exhorted to remain faithful in adversity. These churches held significant roles in the Christian experience of Asia Minor as a result of their location within a transportation network linking different parts of the region.
The Loveless Church
1 “To the 1angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says aHe who holds the seven stars in His right hand, bwho walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 a“I know your works, your labor, your 1patience, and that you cannot 2bear those who are evil. And byou have tested those cwho say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 “and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have anot become weary.
4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have *left your first love.
5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; *repent and do the first works, aor else I will come to you *quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
6 “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 a“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give bto eat from cthe tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
The Persecuted Church
8 “And to the 1angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says athe First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are arich); and I know the blasphemy of bthose who say they are Jews and are not, cbut are a 1synagogue of Satan.
10 a“Do not *fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. bBe faithful until death, and I will give you cthe crown of life.
11 a“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by bthe second death.” ’
The Compromising Church
12 “And to the 1angel of the church in Pergamos write,
‘These things says aHe who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful *martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of aBalaam, who taught Balak to put a *stumbling block before the children of Israel, bto eat things sacrificed to idols, cand to *commit sexual immorality.
15 “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, 1which thing I hate.
16 “Repent, or else I will come to you *quickly and awill fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden amanna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone ba new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
The Corrupt Church
18 “And to the 1angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, awho has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
19 a“I know your works, love, 1service, faith, and your 2patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
20 “Nevertheless I have 1a few things against you, because you allow 2that woman aJezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, 3to teach and seduce My servants bto *commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 “And I gave her time ato 1repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
22 “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of 1their deeds.
23 “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who asearches1 the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 “Now to you I say, 1and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the adepths of Satan, as they say, bI 2will put on you no other burden.
25 “But hold fast awhat you have till I come.
26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps aMy works until the end, bto him I will give power over the nations—
27 ‘Hea shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be *dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father;
28 “and I will give him athe morning star.
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
The Dead Church
1 “And to the 1angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who ahas the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before 1God.
3 a“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and brepent. cTherefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you das a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
4 1“You have aa few names 2even in Sardis who have not bdefiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me cin white, for they are worthy.
5 “He who overcomes ashall be clothed in white garments, and I will not bblot* out his name from the cBook of Life; but dI will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 a“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
The Faithful Church
7 “And to the 1angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says aHe who is holy, bHe who is true, c“He who has the key of David, dHe who opens and no one shuts, and eshuts and no one opens”:
8 a“I know your works. See, I have set before you ban open door, 1and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9 “Indeed I will make athose of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed bI will make them come and *worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 “Because you have kept 1My command to persevere, aI also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon bthe whole world, to *test those who dwell con the earth.
11 1“Behold, aI am coming *quickly! bHold fast what you have, that no one may take cyour crown.
12 “He who overcomes, I will make him aa pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall bgo out no more. cI will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the dNew Jerusalem, which ecomes down out of *heaven from My God. fAnd I will write on him My new name.
13 a“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
The Lukewarm Church
14 “And to the 1angel of the church 2of the Laodiceans write,
a‘These things says the Amen, bthe Faithful and True Witness, cthe Beginning of the *creation of God:
15 a“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither 1cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17 “Because you say, a‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
18 “I counsel you ato buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and bwhite garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 a“As many as I *love, I rebuke and bchasten.1 Therefore be 2zealous* and repent.
20 “Behold, aI stand at the door and knock. bIf anyone hears My voice and opens the door, cI will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 “To him who overcomes aI will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 a“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
The Throne Room of Heaven
1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing aopen in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a btrumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
2 Immediately aI was in the Spirit; and behold, ba throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
3 1And He who sat there was alike a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; band there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
4 aAround the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, bclothed in white 1robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 And from the throne proceeded alightnings, 1thunderings, and voices. bSeven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are cthe2 seven Spirits of God.
6 Before the throne there 1was aa sea of glass, like crystal. bAnd in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 aThe first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
8 The four living creatures, each having asix wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
cLord God Almighty,
dWho was and is and is to come!”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, awho lives forever and ever,
10 athe twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
To receive glory and honor and power;
bFor You created all things,
The Lamb Takes the Scroll
1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne aa scroll written inside and on the back, bsealed with seven seals.
2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, a“Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”
3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth *was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open 1and *read the scroll, or to look at it.
5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, athe Lion of the tribe of bJudah, cthe Root of David, has dprevailed to open the scroll eand 1to loose its seven seals.”
6 And I looked, 1and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood aa *Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and bseven eyes, which are cthe seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand aof Him who sat on the throne.
Worthy Is the Lamb
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, athe four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the bprayers of the saints.
9 And athey sang a new song, saying:
b“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And chave redeemed us to God dby Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made 1us akings2 and bpriests to our God;
And 3we shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and *wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And aevery creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
b“Blessing and honor and glory and *power
Be to Him cwho sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and 1ever!”
14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the 1twenty-four elders fell down and *worshiped 2Him who lives forever and ever.
First Seal: The Conqueror
1 Now aI saw when the Lamb opened one of the 1seals; and I heard bone of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”
2 And I looked, and behold, aa white horse. bHe who sat on it had a bow; cand a crown was given to him, and he went out dconquering and to conquer.
Second Seal: Conflict on Earth
3 When He opened the second seal, aI heard the second living creature saying, “Come 1and see.”
4 aAnother horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to btake peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.
Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth
5 When He opened the third seal, aI heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, ba black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of cscales1 in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A 1quart of wheat for a 2denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and ado not *harm the oil and the wine.”
Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth
7 When He opened the fourth seal, aI heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.”
8 aSo I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And 1power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, bto kill with sword, with hunger, with death, cand by the beasts of the earth.
Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs
9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under athe altar bthe souls of those who had been slain cfor the word of God and for dthe *testimony which they held.
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, a“How long, O *Lord, bholy and true, cuntil You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
11 Then a awhite robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them bthat they should *rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances
12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, aand 1behold, there was a great earthquake; and bthe sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the 2moon became like blood.
13 aAnd the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.
14 aThen the sky 1receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and bevery mountain and island was moved out of its place.
15 And the akings of the earth, the great men, 1the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, bhid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16 aand said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who bsits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17 “For the great day of His wrath has come, aand who is able to stand?”
The Sealed of Israel
1 After these things I saw four *angels standing at the four corners of the earth, aholding the four winds of the earth, bthat the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.
2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,
3 saying, a“Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God bon their foreheads.”
4 aAnd I heard the number of those who were sealed. bOne hundred and forty-four thousand cof all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben
twelve thousand were 1sealed;
of the tribe of Gad
twelve thousand were sealed;
twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali
twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh
twelve thousand were sealed;
twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi
twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar
twelve thousand were sealed;
twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph
twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin
twelve thousand were sealed.
A Multitude from the Great Tribulation
9 After these things I looked, and behold, aa great multitude which no one could number, bof all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, cclothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, a“Salvation belongs to our God bwho sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
11 aAll the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and bworshiped God,
12 asaying:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in awhite robes, and where did they come from?”
14 And I said to him, 1“Sir, you know.” So he said to me, a“These are the ones who come out of the great *tribulation, and bwashed their robes and made them white in the blood of the *Lamb.
15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will adwell among them.
16 a“They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; bthe sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
17 “for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne awill shepherd them and lead them to 1living fountains of waters. bAnd God will *wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets
1 Whena He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2 aAnd I saw the seven angels who stand before God, band to them were given seven trumpets.
3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with athe prayers of all the saints upon bthe golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And athe smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.
5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And athere were noises, thunderings, blightnings, cand an earthquake.
6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets *prepared themselves to sound.
First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck
7 The first angel sounded: aAnd hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown bto the 1earth. And a third cof the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck
8 Then the second angel sounded: aAnd something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, band a third of the sea cbecame blood.
9 aAnd a third of the living *creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck
10 Then the third angel sounded: aAnd a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, band it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
11 aThe name of the star is Wormwood. bA third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck
12 aThen the fourth angel sounded: 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 1did not shine, and likewise the night.
13 And I looked, aand I heard an 1angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, b“Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
Fifth Trumpet: The Locusts from the Bottomless Pit
1 Then the fifth angel sounded: aAnd I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to bthe 1bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the asun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit.
3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, aas the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 They were commanded anot to *harm bthe grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have cthe seal of God on their foreheads.
5 And 1they were not given authority to kill them, abut to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.
6 In those days amen will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
7 aThe shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. bOn their heads were crowns of something like gold, cand their faces were like the faces of men.
8 They had hair like women’s hair, and atheir teeth were like lions’ teeth.
9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was alike the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle.
10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months.
11 And they had as king over them athe angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is 1Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name 2Apollyon.
12 aOne woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.
Sixth Trumpet: The Angels from the Euphrates
13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the agolden altar which is before God,
14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound aat the great river Euphrates.”
15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a athird of mankind.
16 Now athe number of the army bof the horsemen was two hundred million; cI heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; aand the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.
18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.
19 For 1their power is in their mouth and in their tails; afor their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.
20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, adid not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship bdemons, cand idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
21 And they did not repent of their murders aor their 1sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
The Mighty Angel with the Little Book
1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. aAnd a rainbow was on bhis head, his face was like the sun, and chis feet like pillars of fire.
2 He had a little book open in his hand. aAnd he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,
3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, aseven thunders uttered their voices.
4 Now when the seven thunders 1uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying 2to me, a“Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land araised* up his 1hand to heaven
6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, awho created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, bthat there should be delay no longer,
7 but ain the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.
John Eats the Little Book
8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”
9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, a“Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
10 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, aand it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, bmy stomach became bitter.
11 And 1he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”
The Two Witnesses
1 Then I was given aa reed like a measuring rod. 1And the angel stood, saying, b“Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.
2 “But leave out athe court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, bfor it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will ctread the holy city underfoot for dforty-two months.
3 “And I will give power to my two awitnesses, band they will prophesy cone thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These are the atwo olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the 1God of the earth.
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, afire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. bAnd if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.
6 These ahave power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
The Witnesses Killed
7 When they afinish their testimony, bthe beast that ascends cout of the bottomless pit dwill make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of athe great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, bwhere also 1our Lord was crucified.
9 aThen those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations 1will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, band not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.
10 aAnd those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, band send gifts to one another, cbecause these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
The Witnesses Resurrected
11 aNow after the three-and-a-half days bthe breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who *saw them.
12 And 1they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” aAnd they ascended to heaven bin a cloud, cand their enemies saw them.
13 In the same hour athere was a great earthquake, band a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid cand gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 aThe second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming *quickly.
Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed
15 Then athe seventh angel sounded: bAnd there were loud voices in heaven, saying, c“The 1kingdoms of this *world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, dand He shall reign forever and ever!”
16 And athe twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and bworshiped God,
“We *give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One awho is and who was 1and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power band reigned.
18 The nations were aangry,* and Your 1wrath has come,
And the time of the bdead, that they should be judged,
And that You should *reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then athe temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of 1His covenant was seen in His temple. And bthere were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, cand great hail.
The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon
1 Now a great *sign appeared in *heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
2 Then being with child, she cried out ain labor and in pain to give birth.
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, aa great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.
4 aHis tail drew a third bof the stars of heaven cand threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood dbefore the woman who was ready to give birth, eto devour her Child as soon as it was born.
5 She bore a male Child awho was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was bcaught* up to God and His throne.
6 Then athe woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place *prepared by God, that they should feed her there bone thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Satan Thrown Out of Heaven
7 And war broke out in heaven: aMichael and his angels fought bwith the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,
8 but they 1did not prevail, nor was a place found for 2them in heaven any longer.
9 So athe great dragon was cast out, bthat serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, cwho deceives the whole world; dhe was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, a“Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, bwho accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
11 “And athey overcame him by the blood of the *Lamb and by the word of their testimony, band they did not love their lives to the death.
12 “Therefore arejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! bWoe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great *wrath, cbecause he knows that he has a short time.”
The Woman Persecuted
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted athe woman who gave birth to the male Child.
14 aBut the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, bthat she might fly cinto the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished dfor a *time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
15 So the serpent aspewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.
16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus 1Christ.
The Beast from the Sea
1 Then 1I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw aa beast rising up out of the sea, bhaving 2seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a cblasphemous name.
2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The adragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
3 And I saw one of his heads aas if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was *healed. And ball the world marveled and followed the beast.
4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, a“Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
5 And he was given aa mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to 1continue for bforty-two months.
6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, aHis tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
7 It was granted to him ato make war with the saints and to overcome them. And bauthority was given him over every 1tribe, tongue, and nation.
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, awhose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the *Lamb slain bfrom the foundation of the world.
9 aIf anyone has an ear, let him hear.
10 aHe who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; bhe who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. cHere is the 1patience and the faith of the saints.
The Beast from the Earth
11 Then I saw another beast acoming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.
12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, awhose deadly wound was healed.
13 aHe performs great signs, bso that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
14 aAnd he deceives 1those who dwell on the earth bby those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword cand lived.
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak aand cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, *free and slave, ato receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has 1the mark or athe name of the beast, bor the number of his name.
18 aHere is wisdom. Let him who has bunderstanding calculate cthe number of the beast, dfor it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and behold, 1a aLamb* standing on Mount Zion, and with Him bone hundred and forty-four thousand, 2having His Father’s name cwritten on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, alike the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of bharpists playing their harps.
3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song aexcept the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, afor they are virgins. These are the ones bwho follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These cwere 1redeemed from among men, dbeing firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
5 And ain their mouth was found no 1deceit, for bthey are without fault 2before the throne of God.
The Proclamations of Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel aflying in the midst of heaven, bhaving the everlasting *gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—cto every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—
7 saying with a loud voice, a“Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His *judgment has come; band *worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
8 And another angel followed, saying, a“Babylon1 is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because bshe has made all nations drink of the wine of the *wrath of her fornication.”
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, a“If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his bmark on his forehead or on his hand,
10 “he himself ashall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is bpoured out full strength into cthe cup of His indignation. dHe shall be tormented with efire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
11 “And athe smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
12 aHere is the 1patience of the saints; bhere2 are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.