Aa
The Throne Room of Heaven
1After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet4:1 Ex 19:19; 20:18; Ps 47:5; Zch 9:14; Rv 1:10 said, “Come up here,4:1 Rv 11:12 and I will show you what must take place after this.”4:1 Gn 12:1; Zch 1:9; Rv 17:1; 21:9
2Immediately I was in the Spirit,4:2 Ac 19:21; Rm 8:9; 14:17; Eph 2:18,22; 3:5; 6:18; Rv 1:10; 17:3; 21:10 and there was a throne in heaven4:2 1Kg 22:19; Ps 11:4; 103:19; Is 66:1; Mt 5:34; 23:22; Dn 7:9 and someone was seated on it.
3The one seated4:3 Other mss omit The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone.4:3 Ex 28:17,20; 39:10,13; Ezk 28:13; Rv 21:11,18–20 A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne.4:3 Gn 9:13–17; Ezk 1:28; Rv 10:1
4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders4:4 Mt 19:28; Rv 11:16; 5:8; 19:4; 20:4 dressed in white clothes,4:4 Rv 3:4,18 with golden crowns on their heads.4:4 Zch 6:11; Rv 9:7
5Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne.4:5 Ex 19:16; 20:18; Ps 77:18; Rv 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.4:5 Rv 1:4; 3:1; 5:6
6Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne.4:6 Rv 15:2; 21:18,21
Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were around the throne on each side.
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 man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.4:7 Ezk 1:5–28; 10:9–14
8Each of the four living creatures had six wings;4:8 Is 6:2 they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night4:8 Rv 7:15 they never stop,4:8 Or rest saying,
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty,
who was, who is, and who is to come.4:8 Is 6:3
9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever,4:9 Rv 10:6; 15:7
10the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne4:10 2Ch 20:18; Mk 5:33; Rv 5:8 and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say,
11Our Lord and God,4:11 Some mss add the Holy One; other mss read Lord
you are worthy4:11 2Sm 22:4; Ps 18:3; Heb 3:3; Rv 5:2,9,12 to receive
glory and honor and power,4:11 Rv 5:12; 7:12
because you have created all things,4:11 Gn 1:1; Ac 14:15; Rv 10:6; 14:7
and by your will
they exist and were created.