The Vision of God’s Throne

1After these things, I saw a door standing open in heaven. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2Instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven with a person seated on the throne. 3The person sitting there looked like jasper and carnelian, and there was a rainbow around the throne that looked like an emerald. 4Around the throne were 24 other thrones, and on these thrones sat 24 elders wearing white robes and gold victor’s crowns on their heads. 5Flashes of lightning, noises, and peals of thunder came from the throne. Burning in front of the throne were seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God.

6In front of the throne was something like a sea of glass as clear as crystal. In the center of the throne and on each side of the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature was like an ox, the third living creature had a face like a human, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and were full of eyes inside and out. Without stopping day or night they were saying,

“Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,

who was, who is, and who is coming.”

9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10the 24 elders bow down and worship in front of the one who sits on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever. They throw their victor’s crowns in front of the throne and say,

11“You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory, honor, and power,

because you created all things;

they came into existence

and were created because of your will.”