1After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open1 in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet2 said, “Come up here,3 and I will show you what must take place after this.”4
2At once I was in the Spirit,1 and there before me was a throne in heaven2 with someone sitting on it.
3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper1 and ruby.2 A rainbow3 that shone like an emerald4 encircled the throne.
4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.1 They were dressed in white2 and had crowns of gold on their heads.
5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.1 In front of the throne, seven lamps2 were blazing. These are the seven spiritsa3 of God.
6Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass,1 clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures,2 and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.3
7The 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.1
8Each of the four living creatures1 had six wings2 and was covered with eyes all around,3 even under its wings. Day and night4 they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’a5 who was, and is, and is to come.”6
9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne1 and who lives for ever and ever,2
10the twenty-four elders1 fall down before him2 who sits on the throne3 and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,1 for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”2