Revelation

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1

Introduction
1 This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him to show his servants, concerning the things which must take place in a brief period of time. And he signified its significance by sending it through his messenger to his servant John, [Literally, marked it.]
2 Who testified to God's Word, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to as many things as he saw.
3 Supremely blessed is the one who reads, and those who listen intently to the words of this prophecy, and who keep focused on the things which are written in it; because the time is near.

Greeting to the Seven Congregations
4 John, to the seven congregations which are in Asia Minor: cheerful favor and peace to you from the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne,
5 And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and bathed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And he made us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him be the glory and power throughout the ages of the ages. Amen! (Truly!)
7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Yes, Truly. [Literally, beat (their chests).]
8 “I am the Alpha and Omega (the A and the Z), the Beginning and the Ending," says the Lord, "The One who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Vision of the Son of Man
9 I, John, who also am your brother and fellow partner in the current oppression and kingdom and cheerful endurance in Jesus Christ, came to be on the island which is called Patmos on account of God's Word and on account of the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard a loud voice like a trumpet behind me,
11 Saying, "I am the Alpha and Omega (the A and the Z), the First and the Last. And what you see, write in a book and send it to the seven congregations which are in Asia Minor: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
12 And I turned there to see the voice which spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lamp stands,
13 And in the midst of the seven lamp stands stood one like the Son of Man, clothed in a robe reaching to his feet and a golden sash was wrapped around the chest.
14 And the hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
15 And his feet were were like brilliant brass when it has been heated to a glow in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters.
16 And he had seven stars in his right hand, and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword, and his countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. But he placed his right hand on me, saying to me, "Don't be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
18 I am he who lives, and became dead, and behold, I am alive throughout the ages of the ages. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen after these things.
20 Concerning the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands: The seven stars are the messengers of the seven congregations, and the seven lamp stands are the seven congregations."

Revelation 2

To the Congregation in Ephesus
1 "To the messenger of the congregation of Ephesus write: 'He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands says these things:
2 I know your works, and your labor, and your perseverance, and that you cannot put up with those who are evil. And you have tested those who assert themselves to be apostles, but they are not; and you have found them to be liars; [Literally, worthless.]
3 And you have perseverance and you have born up patiently for the sake of my name, and you have worked hard and haven't become lazy.
4 Nevertheless, I have this against you, because you have left your first love!
5 Therefore, remember the place from where you have fallen, and change your mind, and do the first works again. But if you don't, I will come to you swiftly and I will remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you change your mind.
6 But this you have: that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which things I also hate.
7 Whoever has an ear should listen intently to what the Spirit is saying to the congregations: To the one who overcomes, I will grant permission to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the middle of God's park, (in Eden)." '

To the Congregation in Smyrna
8 "And to the messenger of the congregation in Smyrna write: 'The First and the Last, who became dead, and lives says these things:
9 "I know your works, and the pressure you endure, and your poverty (but you are rich). And I know how you are vilified by those who claim they are Jews and are not, but are a congregation of Satan.
10 Don't be afraid of any of those things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, in order to test you, and you will have intense oppression for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 Whoever has an ear should listen intently to what the Spirit is saying to the congregations. The one who overcomes will never be harmed by the second death." '

To the Congregation in Pergamos
12 "And to the messenger of the congregation in Pergamos write, 'He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13 "I know your works, and where you reside, which is where Satan's throne is. And you hold firmly to my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of my faithful witness Antipas, who was killed among you, where Satan resides.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a snare before the sons of Israel; both to eat things sacrificed to idols and to behave like a prostitute.
15 Likewise, you also have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.
16 Change your mind! But if you don't, I will come to you swiftly, and make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has an ear should listen intently to what the Spirit is saying to the congregations: To the one who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give them a white pebble, and on the pebble their new name is written, a name which no one knows except the one who receives it." '

To the Congregation in Thyatira
18 "And to the messenger of the congregation in Thyatira write: 'God's Son, whose eyes are like a blazing fire, and whose feet are like brilliant brass, says these things:
19 "I know your works, and love, and service, and faith, and your cheerful perseverance; and I know your last works are more than the first.
20 But I have a few things against you, that you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to mislead my servants to behave like a prostitute and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 And I gave her time, so that she might change her mind, yet she did not change her mind.
22 Behold, I'm going to throw her and those who commit prostitution with her into a bed of great suffering, if they don't change their minds concerning their works.
23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the congregations will know that I am he who searches inner most motives and hearts. And I will give to each of you what you deserve according to your works. [Literally, kidneys.]
24 But I say to you all, and to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as do not have this teaching, who have not known, as they call them, 'The depth things of Satan.' I will not throw any other burden upon you.
25 But hold on to what you have until I come.
26 And to the one who overcomes, and who keeps focused on my works until the end, to them I will give authority over the nations;
27 'And that one will shepherd them with an iron rod, shattering them like clay pots,' as I also have received from my Father; (Psalm 2:9)
28 And I will give that one the morning star.
29 Whoever has an ear should listen intently to what the Spirit is saying to the congregations."

Revelation 3

To the Congregation in Sardis
1 "And to the messenger of the congregation in Sardis write: 'He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things: "I know your works, that you have a name, that you are alive, yet you are dead.
2 Be awaked, and strengthen that which remains, which are about to die, for I have not found your works completed before God.
3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard, and keep focused on it, and change your mind. Therefore if you do not stay awake, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will by no means know what hour I will come upon you.
4 Nevertheless, you have a few names, even in Sardis, who have not soiled their robes; and they will walk with me in white robes, because they are worthy.
5 The one who overcomes will be clothed in white robes, and I will by no means blot out their name from the Book of Life; and I will acknowledge their name before my Father and before his messengers.
6 Whoever has an ear should listen intently to what the Spirit is saying to the congregations." '

To the Congregation in Philadelphia
7 "And to the messenger of the congregation in Philadelphia write, 'The Holy One, the True One, the one who has the Key of David, the one who opens and no one shuts, the one who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one is able to shut it! Because you have a little strength and have kept focused on my word, and have not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will give you those who are of the congregation of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but are lying. Behold, I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept focused on my word of cheerful perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is about to come upon all of the inhabited earth, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 Behold, I am coming soon! Hold firmly on to that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
12 The one who overcomes, I will make that one a pillar in the Temple of my God, and they will never be expelled from there. And I will write on that one the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down from heaven from my God, and my new name.
13 Whoever has an ear should listen intently to what the Spirit is saying to the congregations."

To the Congregation in Laodicea
14 "And to the messenger of the congregation in Laodicea write: 'The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler God's creation says these things:
15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.
16 But because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
17 Because you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing!' Yet you do not see that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
18 I advise you to buy gold from me refined by fire, so that you may become rich; and white robes, so that you may be clothed, and the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye ointment to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I admonish and discipline. Be zealous therefore, and change your mind!
20 Behold, I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to them, and I will feast with them, and they with me.
21 To the one who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and have sat down with my Father on his throne.
22 Whoever has an ear should listen intently to what the Spirit is saying to the congregations."

Revelation 4

The Throne Room in Heaven
1 After these things, I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice that I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this."
2 And instantly I was in the Spirit and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne,
3 It was similar in appearance to a jasper and sardius stone, and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
4 And around the throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones I saw the 24 elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had gold crowns on their heads.
5 And from the throne came flashes of lightning, and voices, and roars of thunder. And seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass, similar to crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 And the first living creature was like a lion, and the second living creature was like a calf, and the third living creature had a human face, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
8 And each one of the four living creatures had six wings, full of eyes all around and within. And day or night they never cease saying, "Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty! Who was, and who is, and who is to come!"
9 And when the living creatures give glory, and honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives throughout the ages of the ages,
10 The 24 elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and they worshipped him who lives throughout the ages of the ages. And they throw their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; because you created everything, and because of your determination they exist, and were created."

Revelation 5

The Lamb Takes the Scroll
1 And in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, I saw a scroll, written on the inside and on the back, and sealed shut with seven seals.
2 Then I saw a strong messenger proclaiming with a loud voice, "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 even to look at it.
4 And so I was weeping much, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look at it.
5 But one of the elders told me, "Don't weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome, he will open the scroll and loose its seven seals."
6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing even though it had been slaughtered, he had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the scroll out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

Worthy is the Lamb
8 And when he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's holy people.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; because you were slaughtered, and you have purchased us for God with your own blood, out of every tribe, and language, and people, and nation; [Literally, tongue.]
10 And you have made us kings and priests to our God; and we will reign over the earth."
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many messengers around the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
12 Saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and praise!"
13 And I heard every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all those who are in them, saying, "Praise, and honor, and glory, and power to him that sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, throughout the ages of the ages!
14 And the four living creatures said “Amen! (Truly!)” And the 24 elders fell down and worshipped him who lives throughout the ages of the ages.

Revelation 6

The Opening of the Seven Seals
1 And then I saw the Lamb open one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see!"
2 And I saw, and behold, there was a white horse. And he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering, and to conquer.
3 And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come. and see!"
4 And another horse went out, red like fire, and it was granted to him who sat on it to take peace from the earth, so that they might slaughter one other; and a great sword was given to him.
5 And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see!." And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of weighing scales in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, "A choenix (quart) of wheat for a denarius (a day's wages), and three choenix (quarts) of barley for a denarius (a day's wages); but do not harm the oil and the wine."
7 And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see!"
8 And I saw, and behold, a pale green horse, and he who sat on it was named Death, and Hades followed him. And authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild animals of the earth.
9 And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for God's Word, and for the testimony which they held.
10 And they were crying out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O holy and true Master, will you not judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
11 And long white robes were given to each of them, and they were told that they should still rest for a little while, until the full number of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters, who were going to be killed as they also were, should be complete.
12 And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and behold there was a great earthquake; and the sun became as black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.
13 And the stars of the heaven fell to the earth, like a fig tree casts its untimely figs, when shaken by a great wind.
14 And the sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of their places.
15 Then the kings of the earth, and the great ones, and the high-ranking military men, and the rich and the powerful, and every slave and every free person sought to hide themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.
16 And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb!
17 Because the great day of his anger has come, and who will be able to stand?"

Revelation 7

The 144,000 of Israel Sealed
1 And after these things, I saw four messengers standing on the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that a wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 Then I saw another messenger coming up from the rising of the sun, having the Seal of the living God in his hand. And he cried with a loud voice to the four messengers to whom power was given to harm the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, "Do not harm the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads!"
4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 were sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel:
5 Out of the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed; Out of the tribe of Reuben 12,000 were sealed; Out of the tribe of Gad 12,000 were sealed;
6 Out of the tribe of Asher 12,000 were sealed; Out of the tribe of Naphtali 12,000 were sealed; Out of the tribe of Manasseh 12,000 were sealed;
7 Out of the tribe of Simeon 12,000 were sealed; Out of the tribe of Levi 12,000 were sealed; Out of the tribe of Issachar 12,000 were sealed;
8 Out of the tribe of Zebulun 12,000 were sealed; Out of the tribe of Joseph 12,000 were sealed; Out of the tribe of Benjamin 12,000 were sealed.

A Great Multitude from Every Nation
9 After these things I looked, and behold, there was a great multitude which no one could number, out of every nation, and tribe, and people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in long white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. [Literally, tongues.]
10 And they were crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!"
11 And all the messengers were standing around the throne, with the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell down on their faces before his throne and worshipped God,
12 Saying, "Amen! (Truly!) Praise, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, belongs to our God throughout the ages of the ages! Amen! (Truly!)"
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these clothed in long white robes, and where did they come from?"
14 And I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he told me, "These are those who come out of the time of great pressure, and they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Because of this they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
16 They will not hunger any more, neither will they thirst any more; the sun will never strike them nor any burning heat;
17 Because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them, and will guide them to the springs of living waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 8

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer
1 And when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven messengers who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3 Then another messenger, having a gold censer, came and stood upon the altar. And much incense was given to him, so that he could offer it with the prayers of all of God's holy people upon the gold altar which is before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of God's holy people, went up out the messenger' hand before God.
5 Then the messenger took the censer, and filled it with fire from the altar, and he threw it to the earth; causing thunders, and voices, and lightning flashes, and an earthquake.

The Seven Trumpets
6 And the seven messengers who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves, that they might sound their trumpets.

The First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck
7 And the first messenger sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood came, and it was thrown down on the earth; and a third of the trees was burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

The Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck
8 Then the second messenger sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.
9 And a third of the creatures in the sea which had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.

The Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck
10 Then the third messenger sounded his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
11 And the name of the star is called, Wormwood. And a third of the waters were turned into wormwood, and many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

The Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck
12 Then the fourth messenger sounded 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 was darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise of the night.
13 Then I saw and I heard a messenger flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell upon the earth, from the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three messengers who are about to sound their trumpets!"

Revelation 9

The Fifth Trumpet: Locust from the Abyss
1 Then the fifth messenger sounded his trumpet, and I saw a Star which had fallen from heaven to the earth. And the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit was given to him. [Star in this verse is a metaphor for Satan.]
2 And he opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the shaft like the smoke of an enormous burning furnace. And the sun and the air was darkened because the smoke from the shaft.
3 And out of the smoke locusts came into the earth, and power was given to them like the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 And they were told not to harm the grass of the earth, nor any plant, nor any tree, but only those people who didn't have the Seal of God on their foreheads.
5 But they were not permitted to kill them, instead they will torment them for five months. And their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a person.
6 And in those days people will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.
7 And the appearances of the locusts was similar to horses prepared for war, and on their heads were crowns similar to gold, and their faces were like human faces.
8 And they had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like that of lions.
9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses rushing into battle.
10 And they had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails, and their power was to hurt people for five months.
11 And they have a king over them: the messenger of the bottomless pit; whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon (Destroyer), but in Greek he has the name Apollyon (Destroyer).
12 One woe is past. Behold, still two woes are coming after these things.
13 Then the sixth messenger sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the gold altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth messenger who had the trumpet, "Release the four messengers who are bound at the great river Euphrates."
15 Then the four messengers who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year were released, so that they might kill a third of mankind.
16 Now the number of the armies of the cavalry was 200 million; and I heard the number of them.
17 And this is how I saw the horses in the vision, and those sitting on them: they had breastplates that were fiery red, and hyacinth blue, and sulphur yellow. And the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and fire, and smoke, and sulphur came out of their mouths.
18 By these three things a third of mankind was killed: by the fire, and the smoke, and the sulphur which came out of their mouths.
19 For their powers are in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like snakes, and these also have heads with which they cause harm.
20 But the rest of mankind, those who were not killed by these strikes, did not change their minds concerning the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and of wood, which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk.
21 And they did not change their minds concerning their murders, nor their sorceries, nor their prostitutions, nor their thefts.

Revelation 10

The Messenger and the Little Scroll
1 And I saw another mighty messenger coming down from heaven, he was clothed with a cloud, and had a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the Sun, and his feet like pillars of fire,
2 And he had a little scroll which had been opened in his hand. And he placed his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land,
3 And cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. And when he cried out, the seven thunders uttered their own voices.
4 Now when the seven thunders spoke with their own voices, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders have spoken, and do not write them."
5 Then the messenger whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his hand to heaven
6 And swore by him who lives throughout the ages of the ages, 'Who created the heaven and the things in it, the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it.' He swore that there would be no more time.
7 For in the days of the voice of the seventh messenger, when he is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be completed, just as he announced the Good News to his servants the prophets.
8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven, was speaking with me again, and saying, "Go, take the little scroll which is open in the hand of the messenger who stands on the sea and on the land."
9 And I went to the messenger, saying to him "Give me the little scroll." And he told me, "Take it and eat it up! It will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth."
10 And I took the scroll out of the messenger's hand and ate it up; and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.
11 And he told me, "You must prophesy again concerning many peoples, nations, languages, and kings."

Revelation 11

The Two Witnesses
1 Then a measuring reed like a staff was given to me, saying, "Get up and measure God's Temple, the altar, and those who worship in it.
2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and don't measure it, because it's been given over to the nations. And the holy city will be trampled underfoot for 42 months.
3 And I will give authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands who stand before the God of the earth.
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire will come out of their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, they must be killed in this way.
6 These men have authority to shut the heaven, so that no rain falls during the days of their prophecy; and they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of blow, as often as they want.

The Witnesses Killed
7 And when they completed their testimony, the beast who comes up out of the bottomless pit will make war with them, and will overcome them, and will kill them.
8 And their dead bodies will lie on the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was also crucified.
9 Then all of the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will see their dead bodies for three-and-a-half days, and they would not allow their bodies to be put into tombs.
10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, and be glad, and will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

The Witnesses Resurrected
11 Then after the three-and-a-half days, the Spirit of Life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who were watching them.
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they went up into heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.
13 In that same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell, and the names of 7,000 people were killed, and the rest became fearful and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet
15 Then the seventh messenger sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of the world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Anointed, and he will reign throughout the ages of the ages!"
16 And the 24 elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God,
17 Saying, "We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty! The one who is, and who was, and who is to come because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry, but your anger has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should reward your servants the prophets and God's holy people, and those who fear your name, to reward the least and the greatest, and to bring corruption upon those who corrupted the earth."
19 Then God's Temple was opened in heaven, and the ark of his covenant was seen in his temple. And there were flashes of lightning and voices and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Revelation 12

The Woman and the Dragon
1 And a great sign was seen in the heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars.
2 And she had a child in her belly, and she cried out, being in labor and in great pain to give birth.
3 And another sign was seen in the heaven: and behold, a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his head,
4 And his tail dragged a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, that when she gave birth to her child he might devour him.
5 And she gave birth to a Son, a male child who was going 'to shepherd all nations with an iron rod.' And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that they might nourish her there for 1,260 days.

War in Heaven
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his messengers, waged war against the dragon; and the dragon and his messengers waged war,
8 But they did not prevail, nor was there any place found for them in heaven any longer.
9 And the great dragon was thrown out of heaven, the original Snake, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole earth; he was thrown to the earth, and his messengers were thrown out with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, "Now has come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Anointed, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they didn't love their lives even to death.
12 Because of this rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! Because the devil has come down to you, having great rage, because he knows that he has but a short time."
13 Now when the dragon saw that he was cast to the earth, he pursued the woman who gave birth to the male child.
14 And the woman was given two wings of the great eagle, so that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she's nourished for a time and times and half a time (3 1/2 years), from the face of the snake.
15 And the snake spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.
16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her 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 off to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep focused on the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 13

1 And I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads the name of blasphemy.
2 And the beast which I saw was similar to a leopard, his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth was like the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave his power, his throne, and great authority to him.
3 And one of his heads was as if it had been slaughtered to death, and his deadly wound was healed. And the whole earth marveled after the beast.
4 And they worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they also worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
5 And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and authority was given to him to make war for 42 months (3 1/2 years).
6 And he opened its mouth in blasphemy against God, to slander his name, and his habitation, and those who dwell in heaven.
7 And power was given to him to make war with God's holy people, and to overcome them. And authority was given to him over every tribe, language, and nation.
8 And all of those who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let them listen intently.
10 If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, they must be killed. Here is the cheerful endurance and the faith of the holy ones.

The beast from the Earth
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns similar to a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon.
12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast before him, and he was making the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he works great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth before the people.
14 And he misleads the people who dwell on the earth through the signs which were given to him to do before the beast; telling those who dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, who had been wounded by a sword, yet lived.
15 And it was granted to him to give a spirit to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16 And he made everyone, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
17 So that no one was able to buy or sell except the one who has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of its name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man—his number is 666.

Revelation 14

The Lamb and the 144,000
1 Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000, having his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard a sound like that of harpists playing on their harps.
3 And they sang as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one was able to learn the song except the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth.
4 These are those who are unsoiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were purchased from among the people, as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
5 And no deception was found in their mouth, for they are blameless before the throne of God.

The Messages of Three Messengers
6 Then I saw an messenger flying in mid-heaven, having the everlasting Good News to proclaim to those dwelling on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, and the sea and springs of waters."
8 And another messenger followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the intense passion of her prostitution.”
9 Then a third messenger followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on their forehead or on their hand,
10 Then they will drink of the wine of God's anger, which is mixed undiluted in the cup of his indignation. And they will be tortured with fire and burning sulfur before the holy messengers and before the Lamb.
11 And the smoke from their torture goes up throughout the ages of the ages; and they have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and his image, or anyone who receives the mark of its name."

12 Here is the cheerful endurance of God's holy people; those who keep focused on the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice out of heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed and happy are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' “Yes,” says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow with them."

Reaping the Earth’s Harvest
14 And I saw, and behold, a white cloud, and one like the Son of Man sitting on the cloud, having a golden crown on his head, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

15 And another messenger came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, "Thrust in your sickle and harvest, for the hour has come for you to harvest, because the harvest of the earth is dry."
16 And the one who sat on the cloud swung his sickle upon the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Then another messenger came out of the temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.
18 And another messenger came out from the altar, who had authority over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of gapes of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.”
19 And the messenger swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the ripe fruit of the vine of the earth, and he throw them into the great winepress of God's anger.
20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, about 1,600 stadium laps (180 miles).

Revelation 15

Seven Messengers with the Seven Last Strikes

1 Then I saw another great and amazing sign in heaven: seven messengers having the seven last strikes, for in them God’s anger comes to an end.

2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who victorious over the beast, and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, they had God’s harps

3 And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of God's holy people!

4 Who will not fear you, Lord, and give glory to your name? For you alone are holy. And all nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

5 And after these things I saw, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

6 And the seven messengers came out of the temple, having the seven strikes, clothed in pure and radiant linen, and they had seven gold sashes wrapped around their chests.

7 Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven messengers seven gold bowls full of the anger of God who lives thoughout the ages of the ages.

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one was able to enter into the temple until the seven strikes of the seven messengers were completed.

Revelation 16

Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath

1 Then I heard a loud voice out of the temple saying to the seven messengers, “Go and pour out the bowls of God's anger upon the earth.”

2 And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth; and a bad and painful sore came upon the people who had the mark of the beast, and those who worshipped his image.

3 And the second messenger poured out his bowl into the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul in the sea died.

4 And the third messenger poured out his bowl into the rivers and into the springs of waters; and they became blood.

5 And I heard the messenger of the waters say, “You are righteous, O Lord, who are, and was, and the Holy One, because you have judged these things.

6 For they have shed the blood of holy ones and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.”

7 And I heard another out of the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.”

8 And the fourth messenger poured out his bowl upon the sun; and power was given to it to scorch people with fire.

9 And people were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has authority over these strikes: and they did not change their minds to give him glory.

10 And the fifth messenger poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues in agony,

11 And they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their agony and their sores, and they did not change their minds concerning deeds.

12 And the sixth messenger poured out his bowl upon the great Euphrates River; and its water was dried up, so that the way for the kings of the east might be prepared.

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14 For they are demonic spirits performing signs, which go forth to the kings of the earth and to all of the inhabited lands, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 “Behold, I'm coming like a thief. Supremely blessed is the one who stays awake and watches, and guards their garments, that they may not walk naked and their shame be seen."

16 And he gathered them together into the place which in Hebrew is called, Armageddon.

The Seventh Bowl

17 And the seventh messenger poured out his bowl into the air; and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!"

18 And there were voices, and thunders, and flashes of lightening; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since people were on the earth.

19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of his anger.

20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21 And great hail fell from heaven upon people, each hailstone weighing about a talent (about 100 pounds). And the people blasphemed God because of the strike of hail, because this strike was exceedingly severe.

Revelation 17

Babylon The Great Prostitute

1 And one of the seven messengers, who had the seven bowls, came and spoke with me, saying to me, “Come here; I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters:

2 With whom the kings of the earth have prostituted themselves, and the inhabitants of the earth have become drunk with the wine of her prostitution.”

3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting on a bright red beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4 And the woman was clothed in purple and bright red, and adorned with gold and valuable stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of the abominations and uncleanness of her prostitution:

5 And a name was written upon her forehead, a mystery, "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."

6 And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I marveled with great astonishment.

The Meaning of the Woman and the beast

7 And the messenger said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

8 The beast which you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the bottomless pit, and go into destruction: and those who dwell on the earth will marvel (whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world) when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

9 And here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits.

10 And there are seven kings: five have fallen, and one is, and the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while.

11 And the beast which was, and is not, he is also an eighth, yet he is of the seven, and goes into destruction.

12 And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, which have not yet received a kingdom; but receive authority as kings for one hour with the beast.

13 These have one mind, and will give up their power and authority to the beast.

14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them: because he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and those who are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

15 And he told me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nation, and tongues.

16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the prostitute, and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

17 Because God has put it in their hearts to do what he has in mind, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

18 And the woman which you saw is that great city, whose kingdom rules over the kings of the earth.”

Revelation 18

The Fall of Babylon

1 And after these things I saw another messenger come down from heaven, having great authority; and the earth was illuminated with his glory

2 And he shouted forcefully with a loud voice, saying, “Fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen! And she has become a dwelling place for demons, and a prison for every unclean spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird.

3 Because all nations have drunk of the wine of the intense passion of her prostitution, and the kings of the earth have prostituted themselves with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich from the power of her sensuality."

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that you may not share in her sins, and that you may not receive the strikes of her judgment.

5 For her sins have reached as far as heaven, and God has remembered her unrighteousness.

6 Give to her just as she has given to you, and double it double to her according to her deeds: in the cup which she mixed, mix double for her.

7 To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and am not a widow, and will see no sorrow.’

8 For this reason her strikes of judgment will come in a single day, death and grief and famine; and she will be burned up with fire: because the Lord God who judges her is mighty.

The World Mourns for Babylon

9 And the kings of the earth, who have prostituted themselves and lived in sensuality with her, will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her burning.

10 Standing far off for the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that powerful city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’

11 And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her; for no one buys their cargo anymore:

12 Cargo of gold, silver, valuable stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and bright red cloth; all objects made of fragrant thyine wood, and all objects made of ivory, and all objects made of expensive wood; and of brass, and of iron, and of marble,

13 And cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of people.

14 And the ripe fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you will find them no more at all.

15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a far distance for fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,

16 And saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and in purple and bright red, and adorned with gold, and valuable stones, and pearls.

17 For in a single hour such great wealth has been laid waste.' And every ship’s captain, and every passenger and sailor upon the ship, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance,

18 And seeing the smoke of her burning, they cried out saying, ‘What city is like this great city?’

19 And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, “Alas, alas, that great city, in which all those who had ships on the sea became rich from her expensive tastes, because in one hour she has been laid waste.’

20 "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy ones and apostles and prophets, because God has decided to judge your case against her!"

The Finality of Babylon’s Fall

21 And a strong messenger took up a stone like a great millstone, and threw it into the sea, saying, “In this same way will the great city Babylon be thrown down with violence, and will never be found again.”

22 And never again will the sound of harpers and musicians and flute players and trumpeters ever be heard in you; and never again will any craftsman or any artist be found in you; and never again will the sound of a millstone be heard in you;

23 And never again will the light of a lamp shine in you; and never again will the voice of a bridegroom and a bride be heard in you; for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all the nations were misled by your sorcery.

24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of holy ones, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

Revelation 19

Rejoicing in Heaven

1 And after these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! (Praise the Lord!) Salvation, and the glory, and the honor, and the power, belong to the Lord our God!

2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he has judged the great prostitute, who corrupted the earth with her prostitution, and has avenged the blood of his servants shed by her hand.”

3 And secondly they said, “Hallelujah! (Praise the Lord!)” And the smoke from her rises up into the ages of the ages.

4 And the 24 elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen! (Truly!) Hallelujah! (Praise the Lord!)!”

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, and you who fear him, both small and great!”

6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, “Hallelujah! (Praise the Lord!) For the Lord God Almighty reigns!

7 Let us be glad and jump for joy, and give him glory: because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”

8 And it was granted to her that she should be clothed in fine linen, clean and white: because the fine linen is the righteous deeds of God's holy people.

9 And he told me, “Write, ‘Supremely blessed and happy are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he told me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “See that you don’t do that: because I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers and sisters, who have the testimony of Jesus, worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Christ on a White Horse

11 And I saw heaven open, and behold a white horse; and he who sat on it is called "Faithful and True", and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, which no one knows, except he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a garment dipped in blood: and his name is called, “The Word of God”.

14 And the armies in heaven were following him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goes forth a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations: and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the anger of Almighty God.

16 And he has on his garment and on his thigh the name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

The beast and his Armies Defeated

17 And I saw one messenger standing in the sun; and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, “Come and gather yourselves together to the supper of the great God;

18 That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of chief captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of everyone, both free and slave, both small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war with him who sits on the horse, and with his army.

20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who performed signs before him, with which he mislead those who had received the mark of the beast, and those who worshipped his image. These two men were thrown alive into a lake of fire burning with sulfur.

21 And the rest were slain with the sword of him who sits on the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Revelation 20

Satan Bound 1000 Years

1 And I saw a messenger come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he seized the dragon, that old snake, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him for 1000 years,

3 And threw him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal over him, that he should no longer mislead the nations, until the 1,000 years are fulfilled: but after that he must be released for a short time.

We Will Reign with Christ 1000 Years

4 And I saw thrones, and those who sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus, and for God's Word, and who had not worshipped the beast, nor his image, nor had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ 1,000 years.

5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the 1,000 years were completed. This is the first resurrection.

6 Supremely blessed and holy is the one who has their share in the first resurrection: the second death has no authority over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him 1,000 years.

The Defeat of Satan

7 And when the 1,000 years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison,

8 And he will go out to mislead the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: who in number are like the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the width of the earth, and they encircled the camp of God's holy people, and the beloved city: and fire from God came down out of heaven and consumed them.

10 And the devil who mislead them was thrown into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night throughout the ages of the ages.

The Great White Throne Judgment

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, the small and the great, standing before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and Hades delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were each judged according to their deeds.

14 And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire: this is the second death.

15 And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, they were thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21

The New Heaven and the New Earth

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away; and there was no longer a sea. [See note at the end of this chapter.]

2 And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, the tent of God is with humanity, and he will camp with them, and they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them, and be their God.

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither will there be any more toil or pain: because the former things have passed away.”

5 And he who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I make everything new.” And he told me, “Write: because these words are true and faithful.”

6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega (the A and Z), the Beginning and the End. To the one who is thirsty, I will freely give of the fountain of the Water of Life.

7 The one who overcomes will inherit all things; and I will be their God, and they will be my son.

8 But the cowardly, and unbelieving, and the detestable, and murderers, and prostitutes, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will have their share in the lake which burns with fire and sulfur: which is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem

9 And one of the seven messengers who had the seven bowls full of the seven last strikes came to me, and talked with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's bride.”

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like a most valuable stone, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 And had a great and high wall, and had 12 gates, and 12 messengers at the gates, and the names of the 12 tribes of the sons of Israel were written on them:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had 12 foundations, and on them the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, and its gates, and its wall.

16 And the city lies outstretched foursquare, and its length is as large as its width: and he measured the city with the reed, 12,000 stadia (about 1,400 miles). The length and the width and the height of it are equal. [See note at the end of this chapter.]

17 And he measured its wall, 144 cubits (216 feet), according to human measurement, which is that of a messenger.

18 And the structure of the wall was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like to pure glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of valuable stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

20 The fifth onyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

21 And the 12 gates were 12 pearls; each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

The Glory of the New Jerusalem

22 And I saw no temple in it: because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is its temple.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it: because the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light.

24 And the nations of those who are saved will walk in its light: and the kings of the earth will bring their glory and honor into it.

25 And its gates will not be shut at all by day: for there will be no night there.

26 And they will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.

27 And there will by no means enter into it anything that defiles, nor anyone who does what is detestable or lies: but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

[Note: Concerning the "New Heavens & A New Earth": The New Earth mentioned in Revelation 21:1, cannot be in our current Earth renewed; because in verse 21:16 we are told that the measurements of the city of New Jerusalem are 1,400 miles long, 1,400 miles wide, and 1,400 miles high; and such a large structure could not fit on our small planet. So this New Earth has to be a very large planet somewhere else in the Universe, and because of that we would also have New Heavens above us.

Concerning New Jerusalem: the first part of verse 16 says, "The city lies outstretched foursquare," and then gives its length and width; only later, at the end of the verse, does it give its height, "The length and the width and the height of it are equal." This sounds like a riddle to me; so New Jerusalem may actually be in the shape of pyramid, instead of a cube?]

Revelation 22

The River of Life

1 And he showed me a pure river of the Water of Life, bright as crystal, coming out from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 It flowed down in the center of the street, and on either side of the river, was the Tree of Life, which produces 12 kinds of fruits, and yields its fruit each month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him:

4 And they will see his face; and his name will be on their foreheads.

5 And there will be no night there; and they need no lamp nor light of the sun; because the Lord God gives them light. And they will reign throughout the ages of the ages.

The Time is Near

6 And he told me, “These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his messenger to show his servants the things which must take place in a brief period of time.”

7 “Behold, I’m coming quickly: supremely blessed is the one who keeps focused on the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the messenger who showed me these things.

9 But he told me, “See that you don’t do that: because I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers and sisters the prophets, and of those who keep focused on the words of this book. Worship God.”

10 And he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.

11 The one who is unjust, let them still be unjust; and the one who is dirty, let them still be dirty; and the one who is righteous, let them still be righteous; and the one who is holy, let them still be holy.

Jesus Testifies to the Congregations

12 And, “Behold, I’m coming quickly; and my reward is with me, to repay everyone for what they have done.

13 I am the Alpha and Omega (the A and Z), the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

14 Supremely blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may be able to partake of the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 But outside are dogs, and sorcerers, and prostitutes, and murderers, and idolaters, and everyone who loves falsehood and practices lying.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my messenger to you, to testify these things over the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come. And whoever wants to, let them freely partake of the Water of Life.

A Warning

18 I jointly testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to these things, God will add to them the strikes of judgment that are written in this book:

19 And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away their part from the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

20 He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I’m coming quickly.” Amen! (Truly!) Yes, come, Lord Jesus!

21 The cheerful favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

Amen! (Truly!)