Study Desk

The Throne in Heaven

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open^(a) in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet^(b) said, "Come up here,^(c) and I will show you what must take place after this."^(d)

At once I was in the Spirit,^(e) and there before me was a throne in heaven^(f) with someone sitting on it.

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper^(g) and ruby.^(h) A rainbow⁽ⁱ⁾ that shone like an emerald^(j) encircled the throne.

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.^(k) They were dressed in white^(l) and had crowns of gold on their heads.

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.^(m) In front of the throne, seven lamps⁽ⁿ⁾ were blazing. These are the seven spirits^[a](o) of God.

Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass,^(p) clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures,^(q) and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.^(r)

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.^(s)

Each of the four living creatures^(t) had six wings^(u) and was covered with eyes all around,^(v) even under its wings. Day and night^(w) they never stop saying: "‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,'^[b](x) who was, and is, and is to come."^(y)

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne^(z) and who lives for ever and ever,^(aa)

the twenty-four elders^(ab) fall down before him^(ac) who sits on the throne^(ad) and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,^(ae) for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."^(af)