A vision of worship in heaven

1After this, I looked and saw a door that opened into heaven. Then the voice that had spoken to me at first and that sounded like a trumpet said, “Come up here! I will show you what must happen next.” 2At once the Spirit took control of me, and there in heaven I saw a throne and someone sitting on it.4.2,3: Ez 1.26-28; 10.1. 3The one who was sitting there sparkled like precious stones of jasper4.3 jasper: Usually green or clear. and carnelian.4.3 carnelian: Usually deep-red or reddish-white. A rainbow that looked like an emerald4.3 emerald: A precious stone, usually green. surrounded the throne.

4Twenty-four other thrones were in a circle around that throne. And on each of these thrones there was an elder dressed in white clothes and wearing a gold crown. 5Flashes of lightning and roars of thunder came out from the throne in the centre of the circle. Seven torches, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning in front of the throne.4.5: a Ex 19.16; Rev 8.5; 11.19; 16.18; b Ez 1.13; c Rev 1.4; Zec 4.2. 6Also in front of the throne was something that looked like a glass sea, clear as crystal.

Around the throne in the centre were four living creatures covered front and back with eyes.4.6: Ez 1.22.4.6,7: Ez 1.5-10; 10.14. 7The first creature was like a lion, the second one was like a bull, the third one had the face of a human, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and their bodies were covered with eyes. Day and night they never stopped singing,4.8: a Ez 1.18; 10.12; b Is 6.2,3.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord,

the all-powerful God,

who was and is

and is coming!”

9The living creatures kept praising, honouring, and thanking the one who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever. 10At the same time the twenty-four elders knelt down before the one sitting on the throne. And as they worshipped the one who lives for ever, they placed their crowns in front of the throne and said,

11“Our Lord and God,

you are worthy

to receive glory,

honour, and power.

You created all things,

and by your decision they are

and were created.”