The Rejoicing in Heaven

1After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,

‘Hallelujah!

Salvation and glory and power to our God,

2for his judgements are true and just;

he has judged the great whore

who corrupted the earth with her fornication,

and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants.’19.2 Gk slaves

3Once more they said,

‘Hallelujah!

The smoke goes up from her for ever and ever.’

4And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God who is seated on the throne, saying,

‘Amen. Hallelujah!’

5And from the throne came a voice saying,

‘Praise our God,

all you his servants,19.5 Gk slaves

and all who fear him,

small and great.’

6Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder-peals, crying out,

‘Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God

the Almighty reigns.

7Let us rejoice and exult

and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready;

8to her it has been granted to be clothed

with fine linen, bright and pure’—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

9And the angel said19.9 Gk he said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.’ 10Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant19.10 Gk slave with you and your comrades19.10 Gk brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus.19.10 Or to Jesus Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus19.10 Or to Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’

The Rider on the White Horse

11Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. 13He is clothed in a robe dipped in19.13 Other ancient authorities read sprinkled with blood, and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule19.15 Or will shepherd them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’.

The Beast and Its Armies Defeated

17Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, ‘Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and their riders—flesh of all, both free and slave, both small and great.’ 19Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against the rider on the horse and against his army. 20And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed in its presence the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. 21And the rest were killed by the sword of the rider on the horse, the sword that came from his mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.