Study Desk

The temple was filled with smoke from the glory and the power of God. No one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

Then I heard the angel of the waters say to God, "You are the one who is and who always was. You are the Holy One. You are right in these judgments you have made.

And I heard the altar say, "Yes, Lord God All-Powerful, your judgments are true and right."

The people were burned by the great heat. They cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues. But they refused to change their hearts and lives and give glory to God.

They cursed the God of heaven because of their pain and the sores they had. But they refused to change their hearts and turn away from the evil things they did.

These evil spirits are the spirits of demons. They have power to do miracles. They go out to the rulers of the whole world to gather them for battle on the great day of God All-Powerful.

The great city split into three parts. The cities of the nations were destroyed. And God did not forget to punish Babylon the Great. He gave that city the cup filled with the wine of his terrible anger.

Giant hailstones fell on the people from the sky. These hailstones weighed almost 100 pounds each. People cursed God because of this plague of the hail. It was terrible.

God put the idea in their minds to do what would complete his purpose. They agreed to give the beast their power to rule until what God has said is completed.

That city's sins are piled up as high as heaven. God has not forgotten the wrongs she has done.

So in one day she will suffer great hunger, mourning, and death. She will be destroyed by fire, because the Lord God who judges her is powerful.

Be happy because of this, O heaven! Be happy, God's holy people and apostles and prophets! God has punished her because of what she did to you.'"

After this I heard what sounded like a large crowd of people in heaven. The people were saying, "Hallelujah! Victory, glory, and power belong to our God.

His judgments are true and right. Our God has punished the prostitute. She is the one who ruined the earth with her sexual sin. God has punished the prostitute to pay her back for the death of his servants."

Then the 24 elders and the four living beings bowed down. They worshiped God, who sits on the throne. They said, "Amen! Hallelujah!"

Then a voice came from the throne and said, "Praise our God, all you who serve him! Praise our God, all you small and great who honor him!"

Then I heard something that sounded like a large crowd of people. It was as loud as crashing waves or claps of thunder. The people were saying, "Hallelujah! Our Lord God rules. He is the All-Powerful.

Let us rejoice and be happy and give God glory! Give God glory, because the wedding of the Lamb has come. And the Lamb's bride has made herself ready.

Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Great blessings belong to those who are invited to the wedding meal of the Lamb!" Then the angel said, "These are the true words of God."

Then I bowed down before the angel's feet to worship him. But the angel said to me, "Don't worship me! I am a servant like you and your brothers and sisters who have the truth of Jesus. So worship God! Because the truth of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."