A "Grain Of Wheat" Ministries publication

Translated by David W. Dyer

INDEX

Previous: The Letter of Jude

John’s God Given

REVELATION

REVELATION CHAPTER 1

1:1The Revelation of Jesus the Anointed One, which God gave him to show to his bondservant, even the things which, of necessity, will take place in the future. So made it known by sending his angel to his bondservant John 1:2who is a witness of the word of God, namely of the testimony of Jesus the Anointed One, even of everything which he saw.

1:3Blessed is the one who reads and the one who hears the words of the prophecy, staying attentive to the things that are written in it, for the time is closing in.

1:4John, to the seven communities of the called-out ones that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is, who was, and who is to come, from the seven spirits which are before his throne, 1:5and from Jesus the Anointed One, who is the faithful witness {or martyr}, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the governing powers of the earth.

To him who is loving us and is liberating* us from our sins through his own blood 1:6and is making us into a kings and priests to his God and Father – to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1:7Look, he will come with the clouds and every eye will see him – even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will beat their breasts with grief over him. This is how it must be. Amen.

*In many versions of the New Testament, Revelation 1:5 uses the word “wash” as in “washed us from our sins.” But this is probably a copyist error since the spelling of this word is very close to the Greek word for “free” or “liberate” found in other, more trustworthy manuscripts. According to R. N. Champlin, Ph.D., in his New Testament Commentary, the word “wash” is only found in later Greek manuscripts of lesser importance. Therefore, these are less reliable than earlier ones. Such manuscripts seem to be copying a manuscript labeled P.046 since the word “wash” first appears there.

1:8“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God, “who is, who was, and who is to come – the Almighty.”

1:9I John – your brother and partaker with you in the affliction, kingdom, and perseverance which are in Jesus – was on the island which is called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus the Anointed One.

1:10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day and I heard a loud voice behind me, like the sounding of a trumpet, 1:11saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven gatherings of the called-out ones: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

1:12So I turned to see the voice which spoke with me, and, having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. 1:13There among the lampstands stood One resembling the Son of man, clothed with a garment which came down to his feet and with a golden band wrapped around his chest.

1:14And his head and his hair were shining brilliantly, being white like wool or snow; his eyes were like a flashing flame of fire; 1:15his feet were like radiant molten brass, as if it were being refined in a furnace with fire; and his voice was like the resonance of abundant rushing water.

1:16And he had seven stars in his right hand; a sharp two-edged sword proceeded out of his mouth; and his countenance was like the sun, shining with its full strength.

1:17Consequently, when I saw him, I fell down at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand upon me saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, 1:18even the living One. I was dead, but see here, now I am alive forever and ever. Therefore, I have the keys of {the power over} both death and Hades.

1:19“So then, write the things which you see, even the things which are and the things which will take place afterward. 1:20The secret of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven gatherings of the called-out ones and the seven lampstands are the seven gatherings of the called-out ones.”

REVELATION CHAPTER 2

2:1To the angel of the gathering of the called-out ones in Ephesus write: This is what he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, even he who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says: 2:2“I know your works, your arduous labor, and your perseverance, and that you don’t put up with men who are corrupt, even testing those who call themselves ‘sent ones’ but are not and finding them to be liars. 2:3And you have patiently endured many things for my name’s sake and have not grown weary.

2:4“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned your first love. 2:5Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen and repent and live as you did at first or else I will come to you swiftly and will remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent.

2:6“‘But you do have this which is good, that you detest the works of the Nicolaitans,* which I also detest. 2:7He who has a hearing ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the gatherings of the called-out ones. To him who overcomes, I will grant him to eat from the tree of life which is in the middle of the Paradise of God.”

*There is no known historical group with this name. The meaning is probably understood from the two Greek words of which it is composed, i.e. Nicao, meaning “to rise above” or “subdue,” and Laos meaning “the common people” or the “laity.” Thus this seems to indicate the beginning of the practice of having a special class of “ministers” who rise up over and dominate the rest, something which Jesus evidently detests.

2:8And to the angel of the gathering of the called-out ones in Smyrna write: This is what the first and the last, the One who was dead and lived again, says:

2:9“I know your affliction and your poverty (but you are rich in spiritual things) and the slander of those who call themselves ‘Jews’ (God’s people) but they are not, but instead are a congregation of Satan. 2:10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Look, the devil intends to throw some of you into prison so that you will be tested and you will have affliction for ten days.** Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of God’s life.

**Possibly a reference to ten years of suffering.

2:11“He who has a hearing ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the gatherings of the called-out ones. He who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.”

2:12And to the angel of the gathering of the called-out ones in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp twoedged sword says: 2:13”I know where you live, even where Satan’s throne is, and that you are holding tightly to my name and do not deny my faith, even at the time in which Antipas [opposed to the things of the world], my faithful witness {martyr}, was killed among you where Satan resides.

2:14“But I have a few things against you because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to lay a snare in front of the children of Israel: i.e. to partake of [participate in] idolatrous sacrifices,* namely to practice sexual immorality.

2:15“In a similar way, you also have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 2:16Therefore, repent or else I will come to you swiftly and I will wage war against them with the sword of my mouth.

2:17“He who has a hearing ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the gatherings of the called-out ones. To him who overcomes, I will grant him to eat from the hidden manna and I will give him a white stone and a new name will be written on the stone which no one knows except he who receives it.”

2:18And to the angel of the gathering of the called-out ones in Thyatira write: The Son of God who has eyes like a flashing flame of fire and feet like radiant molten brass, says these things:

2:19“I know your works: your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are more than the first. 2:20But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman ‘Jezebel,’ who calls herself a prophetess.* Yet she teaches and seduces my servants to practice sexual immorality, namely to partake of [participate in] idolatrous sacrifices.

*It seems possible that this teaching of Baalam and Jezebel was to entice the believers to participate in idolatrous rituals which often involved sex and orgies. While it is often thought that Jesus is admonishing the gatherings of the called-out ones not to eat certain foods, this seems very unlikely since Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians chapter 8, etc. that these things are not of paramount importance and depend upon the conscience of each believer. Supporting the above translation is the fact that it harmonizes well with “Jezebel’s” other activities and her judgments. (See also Proverbs 30:20 NKJV with reference to one way in which the word “eat” was used in the Hebrew culture.)

2:21“And I gave her time to repent but she did not repent of her impure sexual behavior. 2:22Look, she will be thrown into a bed with sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of their acts; 2:23and I will destroy her children with death.

“Then all the gatherings of the called-out ones will know that I am the One who examines the innermost thoughts and the hearts. And I will repay each one of you according to your works.

2:24“But I say to the rest of you who are in Thyatira – to those who don’t have this teaching, who don’t know what they call ‘the deep things’ but which are really of Satan – I lay no other burden on you. 2:25Nevertheless, that which you have, hold securely until the time that I come.

2:26“And he who overcomes and he who keeps on doing my works until the end, I will give him authority over the nations. 2:27He will rule them with a scepter of iron just as the vessels of the potter are broken into shards since I also have received this from my Father. 2:28And I will give him the star of the dawn.

2:29“He who has a hearing ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the gatherings of the called-out ones.”

REVELATION CHAPTER 3

3:1And to the angel of the gathering of the called-out ones in Sardis write: He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says, “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive but you are, in fact, dead.

3:2“Become vigilant and strengthen the remaining ones who are about to be cast off, for I have not found your works to be complete in the presence of my God. 3:3Remember, therefore, the way in which you received and heard. Pay attention and repent! If, then, you are not vigilant, I will come upon you like a thief and you will not be aware of the time I will come upon you.

3:4“But you have a few names in Sardis who have not stained their garments. Therefore, they will walk with me in brilliant white, for they are worthy. 3:5He who overcomes will be clothed in radiant, white garments and in no way will I erase his name from the scroll of God’s life. And I will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his angels.

3:6“He who has a hearing ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the gatherings of the called-out ones.”

3:7And to the angel of the gathering of the called-out ones 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, and who shuts and no one opens says:

3:8“I know your works (look, I have set an open door before you which no one can shut) for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied my name. 3:9Look, I will deliver to you the ones from the congregation of Satan – those who say they are Jews (God’s people) but are not and are lying – see here, I will make them come and worship before your feet so that they will understand that I have loved you.

3:10“Because you kept my word steadfastly, I will also keep you from the hour of testing which is ready to come upon the entire world to test those who live on the earth. 3:11I will come promptly {at just the right time}. Hold securely what you have so that no one takes your crown.

3:12”He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God and he will not go out anymore. And I will write upon him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God – the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God – and my own new name.

3:13“He who has a hearing ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the gatherings of the called-out ones.”

3:14And to the angel of the gathering of the called-out ones in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true witness {or martyr}, the source of the creation of God, says:

3:15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor boiling hot. You should be cold or boiling hot. 3:16But since you are lukewarm and neither boiling hot nor cold, I am about to vomit you out of my mouth.

3:17“For you say, ‘I am wealthy, have many possessions, and have no needs,’ yet you don’t realize that you

are really miserable, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 3:18I counsel you to buy from me gold purified by fire so that you would be truly wealthy, and have brilliant white clothing with which to cover yourselves so that the shame of your nakedness will not be exposed, and eye medicine to put on your eyes so that you may truly see.

3:19“As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore, burn with zeal and repent. 3:20Look, I am standing outside the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with me. 3:21He who overcomes, I will grant him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father in his throne.

3:22“He who has a hearing ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the gatherings of the called-out ones.”

REVELATION CHAPTER 4

4:1After these things I looked and saw an open door in the heavens. And the first voice that I heard – the one which sounded like a trumpet speaking with me – said, “Come up here and I will show you the things which must happen after this.”

4:2Immediately, I was in the Spirit and, look, there was a throne set in the heavens and One sat upon it. 4:3The throne was like a jasper stone and sardius, and there was a rainbow arching over the throne which looked like emerald. 4:4And surrounding the throne were twenty-four thrones. And I saw twenty-four ancient ones sitting on these thrones clothed in radiant white garments and on their heads they wore golden crowns.

4:5And lightning, celestial voices, and thunder came out from the throne. And there were seven fiery torches burning in front of the throne which are the seven spirits of God.

4:6And in front of the throne, there was a pavement like a “sea” of transparent crystal, like clear ice. And beside the the throne, even surrounding the throne, there were four living beings* full of eyes, both in the front and in the back. 4:7And the first being was like a lion, the second being like a calf, the third being had a face like a man and the fourth being was like a flying eagle.

*Probably cherubim which cover the presence of God with their wings (Ps 80:1, Ez 10:12; 28:14).

4:8The four living beings each have six wings which are covered on both sides with eyes. And they never cease day and night saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who always will be.”

4:9And when these living beings glorify, honor, and thank the One who sits on the throne, even the One who lives eternally, 4:10the twenty-four ancient ones prostrate themselves before him who sits on the throne, worship him who lives eternally, and throw down their crowns before the throne saying, 4:11“You are worthy, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, for you created all things and through your will they exist and were created.”

REVELATION CHAPTER 5

5:1And I saw on the right side of the One who sat on the throne a scroll written on both sides, which was sealed with seven seals. 5:2And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break open its seals?” 5:3And no one in the heavens or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or examine it.

5:4So I wept profusely because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to examine it. 5:5But one of the ancient ones said to me, “Don’t weep! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome to be able to open the scroll and break open its seven seals.”

5:6And I looked and saw a Lamb, with the appearance of having been slain, standing in the center of the throne and of the four living beings and in the middle of the circle of the ancient ones. He has seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God being sent out into all the earth.

5:7So he came forth,* having taken the scroll from the right side of the One who sat on the throne. 5:8And when he had taken the scroll, the four living beings and the twentyfour ancient ones prostrated themselves before the Lamb, each one having a harp and golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of those set apart for God.

*It seems that the Lamb is appearing in the very “center” of the eternally invisible Father (See Col 1:15; Heb 11:27; Jn 6:46; I Tim 1:17; 6:16; etc.) and then “coming forth” from Him as He did when He came to earth (Jn 16:26). Unlike physical objects, spiritual things or beings can occupy the same space at the same time.

5:9And they sang a new song saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain and thereby purchased for God with your blood men from every tribe, language group, people, and nation 5:10and made them to be a kings and priests to our God. And they will reign on the earth.”

5:11And in my vision, I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, the living beings, and the ancient ones. And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, 5:12declaring with a loud voice, “The Lamb who has been slain is worthy to receive the power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”

5:13And every creature which is in the heavens, on the earth, under the earth, and in the sea and all things that are in them, I heard declaring, “May the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion be to him who sits on the throne, namely to the Lamb for all eternity!” 5:14And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the ancient ones prostrated themselves and worshipped.

REVELATION CHAPTER 6

6:1Then I saw when the Lamb broke open one of the seven seals and I heard one of the four living beings saying with a voice which sounded like thunder, “Come and see!” 6:2And I looked and saw a white horse and he who sat on it had a bow. Then a crown was given to him and he went out conquering and to conquer.

6:3And when he broke open the second seal, I heard the second living being saying, “Come and see!” 6:4And another horse went out which was fiery red and he who sat on it was granted to take peace from the whole earth so that they, the inhabitants of the earth, would kill each other. And a large sword was given to him.

6:5And when he broke open the third seal, I heard the third living being saying, “Come and see!” And I looked and saw a black horse and he who sat on it had a balance {or pair of scales} in his hand. 6:6And I heard a voice which seemed as if it was coming from among the four living beings saying, “A measure of wheat for a denarius and three measures of barley for a denarius and do not harm the supply of olive oil and of the wine.” (See 2 Kings 7:1).

6:7And when he broke open the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living being saying, “Come and see!”

6:8And I looked and saw a pale horse and the name of the one who sat on him was “Death” and Hades came with him. And they were given authority over one fourth of the earth to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth.

6:9And when he broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 6:10And they cried with a loud voice saying, “How long, O Master, the holy and true One, how long will it be before you judge our cases and avenge our blood on those who live on the earth?”

6:11Then each one was given a brilliant, white robe and was told that they should be patient for a little while longer until the time came when those who are both their fellow servants and brethren would be killed just as they were.

6:12And I saw when he broke open the sixth seal and there was a huge earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth woven of hair and the moon became as blood. 6:13And some of the stars of the heavens were thrown down to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when it is shaken by a strong wind. 6:14And the heaven was torn in two and was being rolled up like a scroll, and every mountain and island was shaken out of its place.

6:15Then the kings of the earth, the great men, the military commanders, the rich, and the strong, along with every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. 6:16And they cried out to the mountains and the rocks saying, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One who sits on the throne, even from the wrath of the Lamb, 6:17for the great day of his anger has come and who is able to stand?”

REVELATION CHAPTER 7

7:1After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree.

7:2Then I saw another angel having the seal of the living God ascend from the rising sun. And he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels who were given a commission to damage the earth and the sea 7:3saying, “Don’t damage the earth, or the sea, or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

7:4And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty and four thousand, who were sealed from every tribe of the children of Israel.

7:5From the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand; from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand; 7:6from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand; from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand; from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand; 7:7from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand; from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand; from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand; 7:8from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand; from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand; and from the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

7:9I looked and saw a huge crowd which no one could count from every nation and from all tribes, peoples, and language groups, standing before the throne, even before the Lamb, clothed in radiant white robes having palm fronds in their hands.

7:10And they were crying out with a loud voice saying, “Salvation is from our God who sits on the throne, even from the Lamb!”

7:11And all the angels who were standing in a circle around the throne, around the ancient ones and the four living beings, prostrated themselves on their faces before the throne and worshipped God 7:12saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and strength belong to our God for all eternity. Amen!”

7:13And one of the ancient ones spoke to me saying, “Who are these who are clothed in radiant white robes and where did they come from?” 7:14And I said to him, “My lord, you know.”

And he said to me, “These are those who are coming out of the tremendous, widespread persecution for they have washed their robes and made them white through the blood of the Lamb. 7:15Therefore, they are in front of the throne of God and they serve him day and night in his temple. And the One who sits on the throne will live together with them.

7:16“They will not be hungry anymore, nor be thirsty anymore, neither will the sun beat down on them nor any burning heat, 7:17for the Lamb – the One who is in the center of the throne – will be their shepherd and he will guide them to springs of water of the Father’s life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

REVELATION CHAPTER 8

8:1And when he broke open the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven for about half an hour. 8:2And I saw the seven angels* who stand before God and seven trumpets were given to them. 8:3And another angel having a golden incense censer came and stood by the altar.

*Possibly the “seven spirits of God” (Rev 1:4, Heb 1:6, Ps 104:4.).

Then a large quantity of incense was given to him so that he could offer it together with the prayers of all those set apart for God upon the golden altar which was in front of the throne. 8:4And the smoke of the incense from the angel’s hand, together with the prayers of those set-apart ones, ascended before God.

8:5Then the angel took the incense censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it onto the earth. And it caused noises, thunder, lightning, and an earthquake. 8:6Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

8:7And the first sounded and it caused hail and fire mingled with blood, which were scattered onto the earth. And one third of the earth was burned up, including one third of the trees and all green vegetation.

8:8Then the second angel sounded and something like a huge mountain burning with fire was thrust up into the sea and one third of the sea became like blood. 8:9One third of the living creatures which were in the sea died and one third of the ships were destroyed.

8:10Then the third angel sounded and a large “star” fell from heaven burning like a torch. And it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 8:11The name of the “star” is called “Wormwood” {or “Calamity”}. One third of the waters became “wormwood” and many men died from the water because it became bitter.

8:12Then the fourth angel sounded and one third of the sun was struck, along with one third of the moon and one third of the stars so that they will give one third less light. Consequently, the daylight will be one third less bright and the night sky also.

8:13And I looked and I heard an eagle flying in midair, crying out with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe, to those who live on the earth because of the sounding of the trumpets of the other three angels, who will yet sound!”

REVELATION CHAPTER 9

9:1When the fifth angel sounded, I saw a “star” falling from the heavens to the earth. And he was given the key to the pit of the abyss. 9:2So he opened up the pit of the abyss and smoke billowed up out of the pit, like the smoke of a huge furnace. And the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit.

9:3And a kind of locust came out of the smoke onto the earth and a powerful capacity was given them, as earthly scorpions have “power.” 9:4They were told that they could not injure the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

9:5These were not permitted to kill men but to torment them for five months. And their torment was like the torment of a scorpion sting, when it stings a man. 9:6And in those days men will seek death but will not be able to find it. They will desire to die, but death will flee from them.

9:7And the shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for battle. On their heads there was something resembling wreaths of gold and their faces were like men’s faces. 9:8And they had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lion’s teeth. 9:9They had breastplates like breastplates of iron and the sound of their wings was like the sound of many horse-drawn chariots rushing to war.

9:10And they had tails with a stinger like scorpions. And their power to hurt men for five months was in their tails. 9:11They have a king over them, the angel of the bottomless abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in the Greek language he has the name Apollyon {the Destroyer}. 9:12The first “woe” is past. Look, there are still two “woes” after this.

9:13Then the sixth angel sounded and I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 9:14saying to the sixth angel who had one of the trumpets, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!” 9:15So the four angels were released who had been prepared for that hour, day, month, and year, so that they would kill one third of mankind. 9:16And the number of the armies of the cavalry was two hundred million {myriads of myriads}. I heard their number.

9:17And this is how I saw the “horses” in the vision. Those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, dark blue and yellow; the heads of the horses were like heads of lions and fire, smoke, and brimstone came out of their “mouths.”

9:18By these three plagues one third of mankind was killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. 9:19For the power of the “horses” is in their mouth and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents and have “heads” with which they do damage.*

*These “horses” could possibly be some kind of vehicle or military equipment. The “tail like a serpent” could be a barrel of some kind of gun or launcher. The “fire,” “smoke,” and “brimstone” could signify the use of explosive projectiles.

9:20But the rest of mankind who were not killed with these plagues refused to repent of the works of their hands so that they would not worship demons, even the idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood which can neither see, hear, or walk. 9:21And they did not repent of their murders or of their drug use or of their sex outside of the marriage covenant or of their stealing from others.

REVELATION CHAPTER 10

10:1Then I saw another powerful angel coming down from the heavens and clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was over his head, his face was radiant like the sun, and his feet were like columns of fire.

10:2In his hand he had a small scroll which was open. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left on the land 10:3and he cried with a loud voice like a roaring lion. And when he cried out, the seven thunders uttered their voices.

10:4And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders spoke and don’t write them down.”

10:5And the angel which I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the heavens 10:6and swore an oath by the One who lives for all eternity – the One who created the heavens and everything in them, the earth and everything on it, and the sea and everything in it – that the time would not be extended any further, 10:7but at the time of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is ready to sound his trumpet, the secret plan of God will be completed, which is contained in the message of good news which was announced by his servants the prophets.*

*This is the “last trumpet.” (See 1 Cor 15:52 and 1 Thess 4:16).

10:8And the same voice which I had heard from heaven spoke to me again saying, “Go, take the small scroll which is open in the hand of the angel which stood on the sea and on the land.”

10:9So I went to the angel, saying to him, “Give me the small scroll.” And he said to me, “Take it and devour it. It will taste sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will be hard to digest.” 10:10So I took the small scroll out of the angel’s hand and ate all of it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth but when I had eaten it, my stomach was upset. 10:11And he

said to me, “You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, language groups, and kings.”

REVELATION CHAPTER 11

11:1Then I was given a measuring rod. And the angel said, “Rise up and measure the temple of God, measure the altar, and measure those who worship in it. 11:2But the outer court of the temple leave out and don’t measure it, for it has been given over to the nations, for they will crush the inhabitants of the city of the holy ones under their feet for forty-two months.*

*The “inhabitants of the city of the holy ones” is quite possibly a reference to God’s people instead of Jerusalem.

11:3“Then I will give a special anointing to my two witnesses so that they will prophesy, clothed in sackcloth, one thousand two hundred and sixty days.” 11:4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand in the presence of the Lord of the earth [Zech 4:2,3]. 11:5And if anyone tries to hurt them, fire “comes out of their mouth” {singular, Gk} and consumes their enemies. And if anyone decides to hurt them, it has been determined that they will be killed in this way [See 2 Kings 1:10,12].

11:6These have authority to shut the heaven so that it doesn’t rain during the days of their prophecy. And they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with all kinds of calamities, as often as they think necessary.

11:7Then when they have finished their testimony, the beast which comes up out of the abyss will make war against them, prevail over them, and kill them.

11:8And their corpse {singular, Gk} will lie in the public square of the mega “city,” which is called spiritually “Sodom” and “Egypt”’ which is where their Lord was also crucified. 11:9And the peoples, tribes, language groups, and nations will see their corpse {singular, Gk} three and onehalf “days,” and will not allow their corpses {plural, Gk} to be buried.

11:10And those who live on the earth will be delighted because of their deaths, and will rejoice and send gifts to each other because these two prophets tormented those who live on the earth.

11:11But after the three and one-half “days” the breath of life from God entered into them and they stood up on their feet and tremendous fear fell on those who saw them. 11:12And they heard a loud voice from the heavens saying to them, “Ascend to this place!” So they went up into the heavens in the cloud and their enemies saw them.

11:13And at that time there was a huge earthquake and one tenth of the “city” fell and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. And the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of the heavens.

11:14The second “woe” has passed. Look, the third “woe” is coming swiftly. 11:15Then the seventh angel sounded* and this generated loud voices in heaven saying, “The dominion over this world has become that of our Lord and his Anointed One and he will reign for ever and ever.”**

*The “last trumpet.” (See 1 Cor 15:52 and 1 Thess 4:16). **The “secound coming” of Jesus the Anointed One.

11:16And the twenty-four ancient ones, who sit on their thrones in the presence of God, fell on their faces and worshipped God 11:17saying, “We give you thanks, O Lord God the Almighty, the One who is, who was, and who is coming because you have taken upon yourself your great power and reigned.

11:18“And the nations were angry, for their punishment has come – even the time for the dead to be judged and the time to give the just rewards to your servants the prophets, to those set apart for God, and to those who fear your name, both the insignificant and the important, and to utterly destroy those who pervert the earth.”

11:19Then the temple of God which is in heaven was opened and the ark of his covenant was seen there in his temple. And there followed lightning, celestial sounds, thunder, an earthquake, and huge hail.

REVELATION CHAPTER 12

12:1A tremendous sign also appeared in the heavens: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. 12:2She had a child in her womb and she cried out, being in labor and being in grievous pain to give birth.

12:3And another sign appeared in the heavens. There appeared an enormous fiery dragon with seven heads. There were ten horns on one of the heads and seven crowns, one on each of the heads. 12:4And his tail swept up one third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that when she gave birth he could devour her child.

12:5Then she gave birth to a son, a male, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her son was caught up to God, even to his throne [see Rev 2:27]. 12:6But the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God so that they could nourish her there for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

12:7This event [of vs. 5] started a war in heaven. Michael and his angels went out to battle against the dragon. So the dragon and his angels fought against them. 12:8But they did not prevail, neither was their place in heaven found any more.

12:9So the enormous dragon, the old serpent, the one who is called “the Devil” and “Satan,” was thrown down. This deceiver of the whole world was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him.

12:10And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now, the salvation, the power, the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Anointed One have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, the one who accused them in the presence of our God day and night. 12:11And they* overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they didn’t love their soul lives, even to the point of death.

*By being called “they,” this male child is now revealed as being a group of people who had overcome the devil rather than just an individual.

12:12“Therefore, rejoice O heavens and the ones who live in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea because the devil has come down to you in a towering rage, knowing that he only has a short time.”

12:13Then when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 12:14But the woman was given two wings of the great eagle so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place where she would be nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the face of the serpent.

12:15So the serpent poured water like a river out from his mouth after the woman, in order to carry her away with the river. 12:16But the earth helped the woman and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. 12:17And the dragon became enraged with the woman and went out to make war with the rest of her offspring who obey what God tells them to do and have the evidence of Jesus in their lives.

REVELATION CHAPTER 13

13:1Then I stood on the sand beside the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns and on his heads was the slanderous name. 13:2The 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. And the dragon gave him his power, his throne, and tremendous authority.

13:3And one of his heads seemed to have been wounded, resulting in death, but his deadly wound was healed. So the whole world admired the beast 13:4and they worshipped the dragon who gave his authority to the beast. And they worshipped the beast saying, “Who is like the beast? And who is strong enough to wage war against him?”

13:5And he was given a mouth speaking great things and slander. And he was given superhuman power to make war for forty-two months. 13:6So he opened his mouth to slander God and to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and even those who live in the heavens.

13:7And it was granted to him to make war against those set apart for God and to overcome them. And he was given power over every tribe, people, language group, and nation. 13:8And all who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written in the scroll of God’s life of the Lamb who has been slain since the foundation of the world. 13:9If any one has a hearing ear, let him hear.

13:10If anyone is destined for captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is destined to be killed with the sword, he will be killed with the sword. This is the test of the patience and the faith of those set apart for God.

13:11Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns resembling a lamb, yet he spoke like the dragon. 13:12He exercises all the power of the first beast in his presence and he causes the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast whose death wound was healed.

13:13And he does impressive miracles so that he even causes fire to come down out of heaven to the earth in front of men. 13:14So he deceives those who live on the earth through the miracles which were granted him to do in the presence of the beast and tells those who live on the earth to make an image of the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 13:15And it was granted to him to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast could speak and decree that anyone who does not worship the image of the beast would be killed.

13:16And he forces everyone – the insignificant and the important, the rich and the poor, the free peoples and the slaves – to be given an impression of his character on their right hand or on their forehead,* 13:17in order that no one would be able to conduct business {buy or sell} except someone who has the impression of his character – either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

*This may mean that when people receive the “impression of his character” {CHARAGMA Greek} they adopt his religious position which then governs what they think (their forehead) and how they act (their right hand).

13:18Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast because it is a man’s number, for his number is six hundred sixty-six.

REVELATION CHAPTER 14

14:1Then I looked and saw the Lamb standing on mount Zion. And with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father engraved on their foreheads. 14:2And I heard a voice from the heavens like the resonance of many rushing waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the sound which I heard was like the sound of many harpists playing their harps.

14:3And they sang a new song before the throne and in the presence of the four living beings and of the ancient ones. Yet no one is able to learn that song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand – those who had been purchased from the earth.

14:4These are those who were not defiled with women,* for they are virgins. These are those who are following the Lamb wherever he goes. These were purchased from among men as first-fruits to God and to the Lamb. 14:5And no lie was found in their mouth for they are unblemished.

*The common translation of this verse as rendered here makes the 144,000 only males. This does not seem in harmony with God’s heart toward women. Furthermore, it implies that marriage is “defiling” since only “virgins” are not “defiled.” Yet, God considers marriage holy. Therefore, a different reading may be warranted and even needed.

Tischendorf, in the 8th edition of his Greek text, uses the singular word “woman” here instead of the plural, “women.” This could possibly lead to the understanding that these were not physical “virgins” but were those who had not defiled themselves with the woman which could be Babylon the Great Prostitute. (See verse 8.)

14:6Then I saw another angel flying in mid-air, having eternal good news to proclaim to those who reside on the earth, even to every nation, tribe, language group, and people. 14:7And he called out with a loud voice saying, “Fear God and give him glory, for the time of his judgment has come. And worship the One who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water!”

14:8Then another, a second angel, followed saying, “The ‘Great Babylon’ is fallen, is fallen because of the wine of the passion of her defiling intercourse which she offered all nations to drink.”

14:9And another angel, a third, followed them saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast or his image or receives the impression of his character on his forehead, or on his hand – 14:10he himself will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is being mixed undiluted in the cup of his anger. For he will be put to the test by fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 14:11The smoke of their torturous test will ascend until the eon of the eons, and those who worship the beast or his image or whoever receives the impression of his name will have no respite day or night.”

14:12This is the test of the endurance of those set apart for God. This is for those who obey what God tells them to do and have the faith of Jesus. 14:13And I heard the voice from the heavens saying, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, for they will rest from their labors and their works follow after them.”

14:14Then I looked and saw a white cloud, and One like a Son of man was sitting on the cloud, having a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 14:15And another angel came out from the temple, crying out with a loud voice to the one who sat on the cloud, “Send out your sickle and reap, for the time to reap has come because the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

14:16And he who sat on the cloud swept his sickle across the earth and the earth was reaped. 14:17Then another angel, also having a sharp sickle, came out from the temple which is in the heavens.

14:18And another angel – the one who has power over fire – came out from the altar and he called out with a loud voice to the one with the sharp sickle saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 14:19So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vintage from the “grapevine” of the earth and threw it into the huge winepress of the wrath of God.

14:20So the contents of the winepress were crushed outside the city and blood came out from the winepress as deep as the bridles of the horses and flowed for the distance of one thousand six hundred stadia [about 300 km].

REVELATION CHAPTER 15

15:1Then I saw another large and amazing sign in the heavens: seven angels having the final seven calamities, for through them the wrath of God is discharged. 15:2And I saw something like a “sea” of transparent crystal mingled with fire [See Rev 4:6].

And those who had been victorious over the beast, over his image, and over the number of his name, were standing on this “sea” of transparent crystal and had the harps of God. 15:3And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying, “Your works are great and marvelous, O Lord God, the Almighty. Your ways are righteous and true, you King of the eons. 15:4Who would not reverence you, O Lord, and glorify your name for you alone are holy? For all the nations will come and worship before you because your righteous acts have been revealed.”

15:5Then after these things, I looked and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 15:6And the seven angels which had the seven calamities came out from the temple, clothed with spotless, shining linen and with golden bands fastened around their chests.

15:7And one of the four living beings gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled to the brim with the wrath of God who lives for all eternity.

15:8Then the temple was filled with a haze from the glory of God and from his power so that no one was able to enter into the temple until the seven calamities of the seven angels were concluded.

REVELATION CHAPTER 16

16:1Then I heard a loud voice coming out of the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God onto the earth!” 16:2So the first angel went and poured out his bowl onto the earth and it became a terrible, severe sore on the men who had the impression of the character of the beast and who worshipped his image.

16:3Then the second angel poured out his bowl onto the sea and it became like the blood of a dead man and every living creature in the sea died.

16:4Then the third angel poured out his bowl onto the rivers and the springs of water and they became blood.

16:5And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “You – the One who is and who was and is to come, the Holy One – are righteous in judging them in this way. 16:6For they poured out the blood of the holy ones and the prophets, so you have given them blood to drink, which is what they deserve.” 16:7And I heard a voice from the altar saying, “Yes, O Lord God the Almighty, your judgments are true and righteous.”

16:8And the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun and it was granted to it to scorch men with fire. 16:9And men were scorched with sweltering heat, so they cursed the name of God who has the authority over these calamities. But they didn’t repent and give him glory.

16:10And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast and his kingdom was enveloped in darkness. So they gnawed their tongues because of the misery 16:11and they cursed the God of the heavens because of their misery and their sores. But they didn’t repent of their works.

16:12And the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and its water dried up so that the way would be prepared for the kings that come from the east.

16:13Then I saw three unclean spirits resembling frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 16:14These are spirits of evil deities which do signs, going out to the kings of the entire world to gather them together for the battle of the great day of the Almighty God.

16:15“Pay attention! I will come like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays spiritually awake, taking care of his ‘garments’ so that he doesn’t walk naked and have everyone see his shame.” 16:16And they (the evil spirits) gathered them together in the place which is called in Hebrew HarMagedon. 16:17Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air. And a loud voice came out of the temple of the heavens, even from the throne, saying, “It is completed!”

16:18And there was lightning, celestial sounds, and thunder, and an enormous earthquake took place. This earthquake was more widespread and more powerful than any that have ever happened since there were men on the earth.

16:19And the “great city” was divided into three parts and the cities of the nations fell. And the “Great Babylon” was remembered before God to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

16:20And every island fled away and mountains were not found. 16:21And huge hail came down out of heaven on the men,* every stone weighing about a talent [between 45 and 91 kg]. So the men cursed God because of the calamity of the hail, for the calamity of it was extremely great.

*The “men” here are the soldiers who are gathered together to fight against the Lord at Har-Magedon (vs 16). This is the “winepress” where God will crush the “grapes” (which are men) with huge hailstones coming down with incredible speed from the sky resulting in a river of blood about one meter deep. (See Rev 14:18-20).

REVELATION CHAPTER 17

17:1And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me saying, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters 17:2with whom the kings of the earth defiled themselves. And those who live on the earth have been intoxicated with the wine of her defiling intercourse.” 17:3So he carried me away in the Spirit to a desolate place. There I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

17:4The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of the things which she seduced men to idolize, which is the impurity of her defiling intercourse.

17:5And upon her forehead a name was written, MYSTERY, THE GREAT BABYLON, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE OBJECTS OF LUST {IDOLATRY, WHAT THE WORLD WORSHIPS} OF THE EARTH.

17:6Then I realized that the woman was drunk with the blood of those set apart for God and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I was astonished with great astonishment.

17:7And the angel said to me, “Why were you astonished? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carried her which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 17:8The beast that you saw existed, then came to nothing, but is about to ascend out of the abyss and then go away to destruction. And those who live on the earth will be astonished – those whose names have not been written in the scroll of God’s life from the founding of the world – when they see the beast: how he once existed, then came to nothing, but will appear again.

17:9“Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits 17:10and they are also seven kings. The five have fallen,* the one is, the other has not come yet, but when he comes, he must continue for a little while.

*This “five have fallen” must include the corresponding mountains and heads.

17:11“And the beast which existed and came to nothing is himself also an eighth. He is from the same source as the seven and he will be led to destruction.

17:12“And the ten horns which you saw (on the last head) are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for a brief time. 17:13These have one purpose so they give their power and authority to the beast.

17:14“These will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will be victorious over them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings. And those who accompany him are the called, ‘chosen’ and ‘faithful.’” 17:15And he said to me, “The waters which you saw where the prostitute sits are peoples, multitudes, nations, and language groups.

17:16“And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will pursue the prostitute with hatred and will strip her of her treasures, cause her to be naked [humiliated], devour her flesh, and then burn her up completely with fire. 17:17For God has put it in their hearts to fulfill his decree, even to carry out this one judgment and to give their kingdoms to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled.

17:18“And the woman whom you saw is that pervasive ‘city’ which dominates the kings of the earth.”

REVELATION CHAPTER 18

18:1After these things I saw another angel descending from the heavens having great power and the earth was illuminated by his glory. 18:2And he cried out with a loud voice saying, “The Great Babylon is fallen, is fallen and has become a habitation of demons, a den of every unclean spirit, and a stronghold of every impure and detestable winged creature.

18:3“For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her defilement and the kings of the earth have

had defiling intercourse with her, and the merchants of the earth have become wealthy through the influence of her self-indulgence.”

18:4And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out from her, my people, so that you don’t get involved in her sins and so that you don’t end up partaking of her calamities. 18:5For her collective sins have even reached to heaven and God will punish her offenses.

18:6“He will pay her back according to what she has done, even double according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, pour out to her double. 18:7To the degree that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, to that degree give her torment and grief. For she says in her heart, ‘I sit like a queen, am not a widow, and will never see sorrow.’”

18:8Therefore, in one day her calamities will come: i.e. death, sorrow, and famine. And she will be completely burned up with fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty.

18:9And the kings of the earth who had defiling intercourse with her, namely “living luxuriously,” will weep and beat their breasts over her when they see the smoke of her burning fire, 18:10keeping far away because of the fear of her torment saying, “Woe, woe, that enormous city, that powerful city Babylon, for in one hour your judgment has come!”

18:11And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her for no one buys their merchandise any more: 18:12merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet garments, all aromatic wood, every item of ivory; every item made of expensive wood, of brass, of iron, or of marble; 18:13cinnamon, spices, incense, ointment, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, grain, cattle, sheep, merchandise of horses, vehicles, and even the bodies and souls of men.

18:14And the ripe fruits which your soul craved have gone away from you, and all the shiny and luxurious things have been destroyed, and you will never find them again. 18:15The merchants of these things, who were made wealthy by selling these things to her, will keep far away because of the fear of her torment, weeping, and mourning 18:16saying, “Woe, woe, the enormous ‘city,’ the one who was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and lavished with gold, precious stones, and pearls! 18:17For in one hour such tremendous wealth was destroyed.”

So every ship captain, all those who sail in ships, seamen, and as many as work at sea, stood far away 18:18and cried out seeing the smoke of her burning fire saying, “What could ever again be like the enormous ‘city?’”

18:19And they threw dust on their heads and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, “Woe, woe, that enormous ‘city,’ through which all who had their ships in the sea were made wealthy by selling her valuable goods, for in one hour she has been destroyed!”

18:20Rejoice over her, O heaven, along with those set apart for God, the sent ones, and the prophets, for God has judged your case against her. 18:21And a powerful angel lifted up a stone like a huge millstone and threw it into the sea saying, “This is the way in which Babylon, the enormous city, will be thrown down and will never be found again.

18:22“And the sound of harpists, musicians, flute-players, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you again; and the sound of a mill will never be heard in you again; 18:23and the light of a lamp will never shine in you again; and the voice of the bridegroom and the bride will never be heard in you again: because your businessmen were the famous men of the earth and because all the nations were led astray by the deception of what you caused men to idolize.” [See Js 4:4].

18:24And the blood of prophets and of those set apart for God was discovered in her, along with the blood of all those who have ever been killed on the earth.

REVELATION CHAPTER 19

19:1After these things I heard something like the roaring sound of a large crowd in the heavens saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God! 19:2For his judgments are correct and just, for he has judged the great prostitute – she who corrupted the earth with her defiling intercourse – and he has taken revenge for the blood of his servants at her hand.”

19:3And a second time they said, “Hallelujah!” And her smoke rises up forever and ever. 19:4And the twenty-four ancient ones and the four living beings fell down and worshipped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen! Hallelujah!”

19:5And a voice came out from the throne saying, “Give praise to our God all you his servants, you who fear him, both the insignificant and the important!”

19:6And I heard something like the sound of a huge crowd, like the sound of rushing water, and like the voice of roaring thunder saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns! 19:7Let us rejoice and exult, and let us give the glory to him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, for his wife has prepared herself!”

19:8And it was granted to her to dress herself in fine linen, spotless and radiant. For the fine linen is [represents] the righteous acts of those set apart for God.

19:9And he said to me, “Write: Those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb are blessed.” Then he said to me, “These words of God are true.” 19:10And I fell down at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Be careful not to do that. I am a fellow servant with you and with your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of who and what Jesus is comes through those speaking for God by the Spirit.”

19:11Then I saw the heavens opened, and look, there was a white horse and he who sat on it was called “Faithful and True.” He is the One who judges and wages war in righteousness. 19:12His eyes are flaming fire. On his head are many diadems having names written on them, even names which no one understands but he himself.

19:13He is clothed in a garment dipped in blood and his name is called “The Word of God.” 19:14And the armies of the ones in the heavens followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, spotless and brilliant.

19:15A sharp double-edged sword came out of his mouth so that he would strike the nations with it, and he will rule them with a scepter of iron. And he treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. 19:16He has on his garment, even on his thigh, a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

19:17Then I saw an angel standing in the sun and he cried out with a loud voice calling to all the birds that fly in mid-air, “Come and be gathered together to the great feast of God 19:18so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, both the insignificant and the important.”

19:19And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the One who sat on the horse and against his army. 19:20And the beast was captured along with the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, with which he deceived those who received the impression of the character of the beast and those who worshipped his image.

These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone. 19:21And the rest were killed with the sword of the One who sat on the horse, even the sword which came out of his mouth. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.*

*This seems to be another reference to the “winepress battle” where Jesus speaks his word and gigantic hailstones fall on the opposing soldiers, thus annihilating the armies of the beast and thereby providing a great “feast” for the carrion eating birds.

REVELATION CHAPTER 20

20:1Then I saw an angel coming down out of the heavens having the key to the abyss and a large chain in his hand. 20:2And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent which is the devil and Satan who has deceived the entire world, and bound him for one thousand years.

20:3So he threw him into the abyss, locked it, and sealed it over him so that he could not be deceiving the nations any more until the thousand years are fulfilled. After this he must be released for a little while.

20:4Then I saw thrones and they** sat upon them, and the reward of judging was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, even for the word of God, and whoever had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received the impression of his character on their forehead or on their hand.* And they lived and reigned with the Anointed One for one thousand years.

**See Revelation 2:27 and 12:5.

*Accepting the religion of the beast, which then directs their thoughts and their actions.

20:5(The rest of the dead did not live again until the one thousand years are fulfilled.) This is the first resurrection. 20:6He is blessed and holy who has a share in the first resurrection. The second death has no influence upon such a person. They will be priests of God and of the Anointed One and will reign with him for one thousand years.

20:7And when the thousand years are fulfilled, Satan will be released from his prison 20:8and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war, the soldiers numbering as many as the sand of the sea.

20:9And they went up over the breadth of the earth and encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down out of heaven and devoured them.

20:10Then the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet also already are, and they will be tormented day and night until the eon of the eons.

20:11Then I saw an enormous white throne and the One who sat upon it, from whose presence the earth and the heavens fled away and no place was found for them.

20:12And I saw the dead, the important and the insignificant, standing before the throne and scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened which is the scroll of God’s life. Then the dead were judged for their works according to the things which were written in the scrolls. 20:13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and everyone was judged according to his works.

20:14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. 20:15And if anyone was not found written in the scroll of God’s life he was thrown into the lake of fire.

REVELATION CHAPTER 21

21:1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 21:2And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride being adorned for her husband.

21:3And I heard a loud voice out of the throne saying, “Look, the dwelling place of God is now with men and he will live with them, they will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 21:4And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death will exist no more, neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for these previous things have passed away.”

21:5And he who sits on the throne said, “Look, I make all things new.” And he said, “Write: for these words are reliable and true.”

21:6Then he said to me, “It has been completed. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give water to the one who is thirsty from the fountain of God’s life. 21:7“He who overcomes will inherit all things and I will be his God, and he will be my son.

21:8“But concerning those who are fearful, those who are without faith, those whose sin produces a foul stench, those who are murderers, those who practice sex outside of the marriage bond, those who use drugs and practice witchcraft, those who worship something other than God, and all those who are liars – their assigned share will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”*

*The “first death” is the death of the body, the “second death” is the destruction of the soul.

21:9Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls which were filled to the brim with the seven last calamities came and spoke with me saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

21:10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a large and lofty mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of the heavens from God, 21:11having the glory of God.

Her brilliance was like a very precious stone, like a gemstone, transparent as crystal, 21:12having a large, high wall with twelve gates. And at the gates there were twelve angels. The gates had names written on them which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 21:13On the east there were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 21:14The wall of the city had twelve foundations and on them were written the twelve names of the twelve sent ones of the Lamb.

21:15And he who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 21:16The city is laid out in a square pattern so the length and width of it are equal.

Then he measured the city with the rod and it was twelve thousand stadia {about 2,200 km}. The length, width, and height of it are equal.* 21:17And he measured its wall, which measured one hundred and forty and four cubits {about 66 meters}, using human measurements according to the angel.

*Even though the width, length and height are equal, it is not a cube, but a mountain, i.e. Mount Zion (Hb 12:22).

21:18And the building of the wall was jasper and the city was of pure gold, spotless and transparent. 21:19The foundations of the wall of the city were decorated with all varieties of precious stones. The first foundation was decorated with jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 21:20the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, carnelian; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.

21:21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of a single pearl. And the city square of the city was pure gold, like transparent crystal. 21:22I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty is her temple – even the Lamb.

21:23And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on her, for the glory of God is her light and her lamp is the Lamb. 21:24The nations of the saved will walk by her light and the kings of the earth will bring their glory

into her. 21:25And there will never be a time when her gates will be shut for there will be no night there. 21:26And they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations to her.

21:27And nothing unholy, or he who worships anything other than God, which is a lie, will ever enter into it, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s scroll of God’s life.

REVELATION CHAPTER 22

22:1And he showed me a river of water of the Father’s life, transparent as clear ice, flowing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 22:2In the center of the city square, and on both sides of the river was the tree of God’s life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, producing its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for ministering to the nations. 22:3And the curse will be no more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it and his servants will serve him. 22:4They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads.

22:5And there will be no more night. They will not need lamps or sunlight, for the Lord God will be their light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

22:6Then he said to me, “These words are reliable and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants these things which must take place in a short space of time.

22:7“Understand this, I will come promptly {at just the right time}. He who pays careful attention to the words of the prophecy of this scroll is blessed.”

22:8And I, John, am he who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 22:9And he said to me, “Be careful not to do that! I am a fellow-servant with you and with your brethren the prophets and with those who pay careful attention to the words of this scroll. Worship God!”

22:10And he said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, for the time is closing in. 22:11He who is unrighteous, let him continue to be unrighteous; and he who is filthy, let him continue to be filthy; and he who is righteous, let him continue to be righteous; and he who is holy, let him continue to be holy.”

22:12“Look, I will come promptly {at just the right time} and my reward is with me to recompense each man according to his work. 22:13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 22:14Those who “wash their robes” [purify their lives] are blessed, since in this way they may have the right to eat of the tree of God’s life and may enter into the city by the gates.

22:15“Outside are the dogs, those who practice witchcraft and use drugs, those who practice sex outside of the marriage union, the murderers, and those who worship something other than God {idolaters}, even everyone who loves and does what is false {the opposite of the truth}.

22:16“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to proclaim these things to you for the benefit of the gatherings of the calledout ones. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright star of the dawn.”

22:17And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And he who hears, let him say, “Come!” And he who is thirsty, let him come; he who desires it, let him take the water of the Father’s life without cost.

22:18I testify to every man who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: if any man adds to them, may God add to him the calamities which are written in this scroll. 22:19And if anyone takes away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of God’s life and from the holy city – things which are written about in this scroll.

22:20He who testifies concerning all these things says, “Truly I will come promptly {at just the right time}.” Amen, come, Lord Jesus.

22:21May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with those set apart for God. Amen.

Words in this translation found in italics are words which are implied by the Greek text but do not represent actual words in the Greek text. This practice is common in almost all modern translations. Occasionally, this translator has added words to the translation which represent his own ideas and opinions which, although they are based on his own biblical understanding, are not part of the actual Greek text. Such words are enclosed in brackets, like this [ ]. The reader should understand these words as being the opinion of the translator. In contrast to this, the words in these braces { } indicate legitimate, alternative translations or explanations. Words within parentheses () are part of the original Greek text. Such parentheses are often used in other New Testament translations also.

End of The Revelation of John

Read other chapters online:

Previous: The Letter of Jude