The Throne Room of Heaven
1 After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit,(a)(A) and a throne was set there in heaven.(B) One was seated on the throne,
3 and the One seated(b) looked like jasper(c) and carnelian(d) stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne.
4 Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads.
5 Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.(C)
6 Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures(D) covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle(e) and around the throne.
7 The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings;(E) they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop,(f) saying:
Footnotes:
a.
Revelation 4:2: Or in spirit; lit I became in the Spirit
b.
Revelation 4:3: Other mss omit and the One seated
c.
Revelation 4:3: A precious stone
d.
Revelation 4:3: A translucent red gem
e.
Revelation 4:6: Lit In the middle of the throne
f.
Revelation 4:8: Or they never rest
g.
Revelation 4:8: Other mss read holy 9 times
h.
Revelation 4:11: Other mss add the Holy One; other mss read Lord