1

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.

And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said,

"Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."

2

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne

in heaven with someone sitting on it.

3

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian.

A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.

4

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones,

and seated on them were twenty-four elders.

They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

5

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.

Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.

6

Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures,

and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.

7

The first living creature was like a lion,

the second was like an ox,

the third had a face like a man,

the fourth was like a flying eagle.

8

Each of the four living creatures had six wings

and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings.

Day and night they never stop saying:

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."

9

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him

who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,

10

the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne,

and worship him who lives for ever and ever.

They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created and have their being."