1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave64 him to show unto his servants65, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it66 by his angel unto his servant John; 2 who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.
A Blessing Pronounced
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.
2 The Salutation
The Address and Greeting
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come67; and from the seven Spirits that are before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed68 us from our sins by69 his blood; 6 and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father70; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever71. Amen.
The Coming Christ
(7 Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen.
The Responsive Message
8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who72 is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.)
3 The Introductory Vision
The Trumpet Voice
9 I John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patience73which are in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the [pg 061] word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet 11 saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
The Glorious King-Priest
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks74; 13 and in the midst of the candlesticks75 one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. 14 And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
A Message of Reassurance
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last, 18 and the Living one; and I was76 dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore77, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. 19 Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter; 20 the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in78 my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks79. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks80 are seven churches:—
4 The Seven Epistles
Chapter 2.
1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
The Epistle to Ephesus
These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks81: 2 I know thy works, and thy toil and patience82, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false; 3 and thou hast patience83 and didst bear for my name's sake, and hast not grown weary. 4 But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love. 5 Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick84 out of its place, except thou repent. 6 But [pg 062] this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise85 of God.
8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
The Epistle to Smyrna
These things saith the first and the last, who was86 dead, and lived again: 9 I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy87 of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have88 tribulation ten days89. Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee the crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
The Epistle to Pergamum
These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword: 13 I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness90, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner. 16 Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.
18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
The Epistle to Thyatira
These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass: 19 I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience91, and that thy last [pg 063] works are more than the first. 20 But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel92, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants93 to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. 22 Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her94 works. 23 And I will kill her children with death95; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. 24 But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden. 25 Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations96: 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken97 to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
Chapter 3.
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write:
The Epistle to Sardis
1 These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead. 2 Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine98 perfected before my God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep it, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
[pg 064]
The Epistle to Philadelphia
These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth: 8 I know thy works (behold, I have set99 before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name. 9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship100 before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou didst keep the word of my patience101, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial102, that hour which is to come upon the whole world103, to try104 them that dwell upon the earth. 11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. 12 He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple105 of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
The Epistle to Laodicea
These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eye-salve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath [pg 065] an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
Chapter 4.
A Door Opened in Heaven
1 After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass106 hereafter.
The Throne and the King
2 Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne; 3 and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.
The Four and Twenty Elders
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold.
The Seven Lamps of Fire
5 And out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;
The Four Living Creatures
6 And before the throne, as it were a sea of glass107 like unto crystal; and in the midst108 of the throne, and round about the throne, four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face as of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying,
Holy, holy, holy,isthe Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come109.
The Creation Chorus
9 And when the living creatures shall give glory and honor and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne, to him that liveth for ever and ever110, 10 the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship111 him that liveth for ever and ever112, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.
[pg 066]
Chapter 5.
The Sealed Book
1 And I saw in113 the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon: 5 and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.
The Lamb
6 And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders114, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven115 Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.
The Book Taken and Worship Rendered
7 And he came, and he taketh116it out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sing a new song, saying,
Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy bloodmenof every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, 10 and madest them tobeunto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.
The Redemption Chorus
11 And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 saying with a great voice,
Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying,
Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb,bethe blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever117.
14 And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped118.
[pg 067]
2 The Vision of the Seven Seals (The Church's Trial Foreshown)
Chapter 6.
The First Seal
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come119. 2 And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.
The Second Seal
3 And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come. 4 And another horse came forth, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth120, and that they should slay one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
The Third Seal
5 And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, Come. And I saw, and behold, a black horse; and he that sat thereon had a balance in his hand. 6 And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, A measure of wheat121 for a shilling122, and three measures of barley for a shilling; and the oil and the wine hurt thou not.
The Fourth Seal
7 And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, Come. 8 And I saw, and behold, a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death; and Hades followed with him. And there was given unto them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death123, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
The Fifth Seal
9 And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled124their course.
The Sixth Seal
12 And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became [pg 068] black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood; 13 and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. 14 And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains125, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?
2b The Episode of the Sealed Ones (An Intervening Vision of Salvation Assured)
(A) The Sealed of Israel
Chapter 7.
The Angels Holding the Winds
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascend from the sunrising, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a great voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we shall have sealed the servants126 of our God on their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:
The Number Sealed from the Tribes
5 Of the tribe of Judahweresealed twelve thousand;
Of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand;
Of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand;
6 Of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand;
Of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand;
Of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand;
7 Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand;
Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand;
Of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand;
8 Of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand;
Of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand;
Of the tribe of Benjaminweresealed twelve thousand.
[pg 069]
(B) The Redeemed Out of All Nations
The Countless Multitude
9 After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And they cry with a great voice, saying,
Salvation unto our God who sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb.
The Salvation Chorus
11 And all the angels were standing round about the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped127 God, 12 saying,
Amen: Blessing, and glory128, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might,beunto our God for ever and ever129. Amen.
The Great Reward
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they? 14 And I say130 unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple131: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat: 17 for the Lamb that is in the midst of132 the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Chapter 8.
The Seventh Seal
1 And when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
3 The Vision of the Seven Trumpets (The World's Judgment Proclaimed)
(A) The Preparation for the Trumpets
Seven Angels Given Seven Trumpets
2 And I saw the seven angels that stand before God; and there were given unto them seven trumpets.
The Angel with the Incense
3 And another angel came and stood over133 the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should add134 it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with135 the prayers of the saints, went up before God [pg 070] out of the angel's hand. 5 And the angel taketh136 the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon137 the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
The Trumpets Made Ready to Sound
6 And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
(B) The Trumpets Sounded
The First Trumpet
7 And the first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
The Second Trumpet
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 and there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, even they that had life; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
The Third Trumpet
10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of the waters; 11 and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
The Fourth Trumpet
12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; that the third part of them should be darkened, and the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night in like manner.
The Eagle-Cry
(13 And I saw, and I heard an eagle138, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound.)
Chapter 9.
The Fifth Trumpet
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss. 2 And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And [pg 071] it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it striketh a man. 6 And in those days men shall seek death, and shall in no wise find it; and they shall desire to die, and death fleeth from them. 7 And the shapes139 of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men's faces. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war. 10 And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek tongue he hath the name Apollyon140.
The First Woe Ended
(12 The first Woe is past: behold there come yet two Woes hereafter.)
The Sixth Trumpet
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice141 from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 one saying to the sixth angel that had the trumpet, Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men. 16 And the number of the armies of the horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand: I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone: and the heads of the horses are as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceedeth fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues was the third part of men killed, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails are like unto serpents, and have heads; and with them they hurt. 20 And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons142, and the idols [pg 072] of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 and they repented not of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
3b The Episode of the Angel with the Book and of the Two Witnesses (An Intervening Vision of Divine Help Attained)
(A) The Angel with the Little Open Book
Chapter 10.
The Angel Coming Down Out of Heaven
1 And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire; 2 and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth; 3 and he cried with a great voice, as a lion roareth:
The Thunder-Voices
And when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
The Mystery of God to End
5 And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven, 6 and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever143, who created the heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein144, that there shall be delay145 no longer: 7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God, according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants146 the prophets.
The Book Eaten
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard it again speaking with me, and saying, Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel that standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 9 And I went unto the angel, saying unto him that he should give me the little book. And he saith unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but in thy mouth it shall be sweet as honey. 10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and when I had eaten it, my belly was made bitter. 11 And they say unto me, Thou must prophesy again over147 many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.
[pg 073]
(B) The Two Witnesses
Chapter 11.
The Temple Measured
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said148, Rise, and measure the temple149 of God, and the altar, and them that worship150 therein. 2 And the court which is without the temple151 leave without152, and measure it not; for it hath been given unto the nations153: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
The Two Witnesses with Power
3 And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks154, standing before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if any man desireth to hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies; and if any man shall desire to hurt them, in this manner must he be killed. 6 These have the power to shut the heaven, that it rain not during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they shall desire.
Their Testimony Finished
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies155lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 And from among the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations do men look upon their dead bodies three days and a half, and suffer not their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 And they that dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and make merry; and they shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth.
Their Resurrection and Ascension
11 And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that beheld them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they went up into heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons156: and the rest were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
The Second Woe Ended
(14 The second Woe is past: behold, the third Woe cometh quickly.)
[pg 074]
The Seventh Trumpet
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said,
The kingdom of the world is becomethe kingdomof our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever157.
The Victory Chorus
16 And the four and twenty elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped158 God, 17 saying,
We give thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast; because thou hast taken thy great power, and didst reign. 18 And the nations were wroth, and thy wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, andthe timeto give their reward to thy servants159the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth.
Tokens of Judgment
19 And there was opened the temple160 of God that is in heaven; and there was seen in his temple161 the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.
4 The Vision of Conflict (The Church-Historic World-Conflict of the Evil against the Just)
(A) The Woman and the Dragon
Chapter 12.
The Woman's Glory and the Dragon's Power
1 And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and she was with child; and she crieth out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered. 3 And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems. 4 And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child.
The All-Ruling Man-Child
5 And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations162 with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne.
The Woman's Escape
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
[pg 075]
(B) War in Heaven
Michael Warring with the Dragon
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; 8 and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world163; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
Satan's Downfall Proclaimed
10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ164: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell165 in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.
Persecution of the Woman and Her Seed
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he persecuted the woman that brought forth the man child. 14 And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon waxed wroth with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus:
And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority. 3 And [pg 076]I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten167 unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast; 4 and they worshipped168 the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped169 the beast saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him? 5 and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue170 forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell171 in the heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints172, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. 8 And all that dwell on the earth shall worship173 him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain174.
An Admonition to Patience
(9 If any man hath an ear, let him hear. 10 If any man175is for captivity176, into captivity he goeth: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience177 and the faith of the saints.)
The Second Beast—the Beast from the Land
11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them that dwell therein to worship178 the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed. 13 And he doeth great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived. 15 And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not179 worship180 the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right [pg 077] hand, or upon their forehead; 17 and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name.
An Admonition to Wisdom
(18 Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six181.)
(D) The Lamb on Mount Zion
Chapter 14.
The Lamb and His Company
1 And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads.
The Incommunicable Chorus
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth.
The Purity of the Redeemed
4 These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish.
The Message of the Eternal Gospel
6 And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good tidings182 to proclaim unto them that dwell183 on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship184 him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.
The Message of Babylon's Fall
8 And another, a second angel, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that hath made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
The Message of Doom for the Beast and His Followers
9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, If any man worshippeth185 the beast and his image, and receiveth a mark on his forehead, or upon his hand, 10 he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared186 unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented [pg 078] with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever187; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship188 the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name.
The Test of Patience
(12 Here is the patience189 of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.)
The Blessedness of the Holy Dead
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth190: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.
The Harvest of the Elect
14 And I saw, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud I saw one sitting like unto a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out from the temple191, crying with a great voice to him that sat on the cloud, Send forth thy sickle, and reap: for the hour to reap is come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe192. 16 And he that sat on the cloud cast his sickle upon the earth; and the earth was reaped.
The Vintage of Wrath
17 And another angel came out from the temple193 which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, he that hath power over fire; and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send forth thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel cast his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vintage194 of the earth, and cast it into the winepress, the great winepress, of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and there came out blood from the winepress, even unto the bridles of the horses, as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
5 The Vision of the Seven Vials (The World's Judgment Executed)
(A) The Preparation for the Vials
Chapter 15.
The Angels with the Plagues
1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having seven plagues, which are the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God.
The Victors by the Sea
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass195 mingled with fire; and them that come off victorious from the [pg 079] beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name, standing by196 the sea of glass197, having harps of God.
The Chorus of Moses and the Lamb
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant198 of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages199. 4 Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship200before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest.
The Temple in Heaven Opened
5 And after these things I saw, and the temple201 of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: 6 and there came out from the temple202 the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed with precious stone203, pure and bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles. 7 And one of the four living creatures gave unto the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever204. 8 And the temple205 was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and none was able to enter into the temple206, till the seven plagues of the seven angels should be finished.
(B) The Vials Poured Out
Chapter 16.
The Command to Pour Out the Vials
1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple207, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth.
The First Vial
2 And the first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became208 a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the beast, and that worshipped209 his image.
The Second Vial
3 And the second poured out his bowl into the sea; and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living soul210 died, even the things that were in the sea.
The Third Vial
4 And the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of the waters; and it became211 blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Righteous art thou, who art and who wast, thou Holy One, because thou didst thus judge: 6 for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets212, and blood hast thou given them to drink: they are worthy. 7 And I heard the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
[pg 080]
The Fourth Vial
8 And the fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto it213 to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat: and they blasphemed the name of God who hath the power over these plagues; and they repented not to give him glory.
The Fifth Vial
10 And the fifth poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom was darkened; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 11 and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they repented not of their works.
The Sixth Vial
12 And the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river, the river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrising.
5b The Episode of the Frog-like Spirits (An Intervening Vision of Warning to the Redeemed)
The Three Unclean Spirits
13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs: 14 for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto214 the kings of the whole world215, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.
The Warning Voice
15 (Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame).
The Gathering at Har-Magedon 16 And they gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon216.
The Seventh Vial
17 And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came forth a great voice out of the temple217, from the throne, saying, It is done: 18 and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men218 upon the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations219 fell: and Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail, every stone about the weight of a talent, cometh down out of heaven upon men: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof is exceeding great.
[pg 081]
Chapter 17.
The Judgment of the Great Harlot
1 And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters; 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and they that dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her fornication.
Babylon the Harlot City
3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy220, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked221 with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things222 of her fornication, 5 and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT223, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs224 of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder.
The Mystery of the Woman and the Beast is Told
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go225 into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in226 the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come227.
The Kings that War against the Lamb
9 Here is the mind228 that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth: 10 and they are229 seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goeth into perdition. 12 And the ten horns that thou sawest are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but [pg 082] they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour. 13 These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast. 14 These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.
The Harlot Made Desolate
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest, and the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire. 17 For God did put in their hearts to do his mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished. 18 And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings230 of the earth.
Chapter 18.
The Fall of the Great City Proclaimed
1 After these things I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold231 of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For by the wine232 of233 the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness234.
God's People Called Out of Her
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: 5 for her sins have reached235 even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Render unto her even as she rendered, and double unto her the double according to her works: in the cup which she mingled, mingle unto her double. 7 How much soever she glorified herself, and waxed wanton236, so much give her of torment and mourning: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall in no wise see mourning. 8 Therefore in one day shall her plagues come, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord237 God who judged her.
[pg 083]
The Lament of the Kings of the Earth over Her Doom
9 And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived wantonly238 with her, shall weep and wail over her, when they look upon the smoke of her burning, 10 standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
The Lament of the Merchants of the Earth
11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise239 any more; 12 merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stone, and pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet; and all thyine wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon, and spice240, and incense, and ointment, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle, and sheep; and merchandise of horses and chariots and slaves241; and souls242 of men. 14 And the fruits which thy soul lusted after are gone from thee, and all things that were dainty and sumptuous are perished from thee, and men shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning; 16 saying, Woe, woe, the great city, she that was arrayed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and decked243 with gold and precious stone and pearl! 17 for in one hour so great riches is made desolate.
The Lament of the Seamen from Afar
And every shipmaster, and every one that saileth any whither, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea244, stood afar off, 18 and cried out as they looked upon the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like the great city? 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, wherein all that had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
The Holy Bidden to Rejoice
20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye saints, and ye apostles, and ye prophets; for God hath judged your judgment on her.
The Ruin Complete
21 And a245 strong angel took up a stone as it were a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers and minstrels and flute-players and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee; and [pg 084] no craftsman, of whatsoever craft246, shall be found any more at all in thee; and the voice of a mill shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 and the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth.
(B) The Triumph of the Redeemed
Chapter 19.
The Voice of a Great Multitude
1 After these things I heard as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,
Hallelujah; Salvation, and glory, and power, belong to our God: 2 for true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great harlot, her that corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he hath avenged the blood of his servants247at her hand.
The Hallelujah Chorus
3 And a second time they say248, Hallelujah. And her smoke goeth up for ever and ever249. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped250 God that sitteth on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah. 5 And a voice came forth from the throne, saying,
Give praise to our God, all ye his servants, ye that fear him, the small and the great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying,
Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth. 7 Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
The Array of the Bride
8 And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
The Blessedness of the Marriage Supper
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they that are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are true words of God.
Worship Refused by the Angel
10 And I fell down before his feet to worship251 him. And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren that hold the testimony of Jesus: worship252 God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
[pg 085]
(C) The Last Things
The Conqueror on the White Horse (The Beginning of the End)
11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called253 Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself. 13 And he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with254 blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure. 15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness255 of the wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The Call to the Birds of Mid Heaven
17 And I saw an256 angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God; 18 that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains257, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great.
The Beast and the False Prophet Taken
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped258 his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone: 21 and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, even the sword which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Chapter 20.
Satan Bound
1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in259 his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years [pg 086] should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.
The First Resurrection and the Millennial Reign
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped260 not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.
The Blessedness of the Millennial Period
(6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power261; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a262 thousand years.)
Satan Loosed Again and Overthrown (The War of Gog and Magog)
7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out263 of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever264.
The Second Resurrection and the Final Judgment
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. 15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
[pg 087]
7 The Vision of the New Jerusalem (The Throne after Victory)
Chapter 21.
The New Creation
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.
The Holy City
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven265 from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
A Great Voice Out of the Throne
3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell266 with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God267: 4 and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.
All Things Made New
5 And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true268. 6 And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
The City the Bride of Christ
9 And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.
The Glory of the New Jerusalem from Afar
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God: her light269 was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal: 12 having a wall great and high; having twelve gates270, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 on the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and [pg 088] on the south three gates271; and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The Measure of the City
15 And he that spake with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
The Materials of Her Building
18 And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire272; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth273; the twelfth, amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the several gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass274.
The Glory Within
22 And I saw no temple275 therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple276 thereof. 23 And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb277. 24 And the nations shall walk amidst278 the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. 25 And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there): 26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it: 27 and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean279, or he that maketh280 an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Chapter 22.
The River and Tree of Life
1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the midst of the street thereof281. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree282 of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits283, yielding [pg 089] its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
The Beatific Vision
3 And there shall be no curse284 any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants285 shall serve him; 4 and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads. 5 And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever286.
The Message Reaffirmed
6 And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass. 7 And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.
Worship Again Refused by the Angel
8 And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship287 before the feet of the angel that showed me these things. 9 And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship288 God.
The Book Not to Be Sealed
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand. 11 He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still289: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.
Christ's Promise to the Victors
12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward290 is with me, to render to each man according as his work is. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right291to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates292 into the city. 15 Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolators, and every one that loveth and maketh293 a lie.
[pg 090]
Christ the Morning Star
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for294 the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star.
2 The Closing Testimony of John
A Universal Invitation
17 And295 the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.
John's Witness and Warning
18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto296 them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written297 in this book.
A Last Promise of Hope and Prayer of Yearning
20 He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus.
3 The Author's Benediction
The Blessing on the Saints
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus298 be with the299 saints. Amen.
The Book of Revelation bears the inherent marks of a thoroughly wrought out and carefully finished literary production, showing evident traces of design and arrangement throughout, which constitute a studied setting for the remarkable series of visions that contain its chief message to the church. Behind the outer form lies the deep experience of the author who received a fresh revelation of divine truth. To him God spoke in strange visions and in a marvellous way about the divine purpose concerning his people and the great world of men: for couched though it is in the strange figures of Apocalyptic, a method of religious thought belonging to that time, it yet bears to the Christian mind indisputable marks of divine inspiration. Moved by the visions which it records, John wrote to the churches in Asia a message not only for them but for all believers in all time; for its lessons lie not alone in the events of that age, but in the wider and permanent relations of the church and the world throughout the centuries, and they appeal to us with new force as the varying conditions continue to change with the revolving years. The lessons of the book are for us in our day no less than they have been for others in the past, and as they will be for still others in the advancing future; and though these lessons are not always easy to grasp or lightly to be understood, they are yet eminently worthy of our attentive study and patient consideration. The synthetic analysis which is here given, attempts to set forth the main thought of the Revelation as it has been interpreted by many eminent commentators, and it is presented in as concise a form as is consistent with clearness for the benefit of the general reader, for the chief purpose of the present work is to make plain the symbolic view as it has taken form in the mind of the writer. No extended discussion of the more difficult portions of the book has been attempted, for a satisfactory conclusion is more often reached by careful thought than by elaborate argument, though it has seemed best to reinforce the view presented by constant reference to well-known authorities, and also to provide a brief comparison of different opinions on the main points of disagreement for those who desire further study.
[pg 092]
The book is found upon examination to consist of three principal parts, which are those common to every finished composition, viz:—
I The Prologue, or Introduction, Ch. 1:1-3:23;
II The Main Apocalypse, or Revelation Proper, Ch. 4:1-22:5; and
III The Epilogue, or Conclusion, Ch. 22:6-21.
This division is one generally accepted by those who have studied the book, for it is to most minds both natural and obvious, though some make the Introduction end with the first chapter, and include the Epistles to the Churches in the second part. As these, however, are not so markedly Apocalyptic in form as the chapters that follow, and do not enter into the chief message of the book, but rather serve to prepare the way for it, they are more properly regarded as part of the Introduction.
