CHAPTER III.

THE HEAVENLY WORLD, THE THRONE OF GOD AND HIS COURT—THE ELDERS, CHERUBS, SEALED BOOK, LAMB, ETC.

1 ^4:1AFTER this I saw, and behold, a door was opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard was of a trumpet speaking to me, saying, Come up hither, and I will show you things that must occur hereafter. ^4:2And immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. ^4:3And he that sat was like a jasper and sardine stone, and there was an iris about the throne, similar in appearance to an emerald. ^4:4And about the throne were twenty-four thrones; and on the thrones twenty-four elders sitting clothed in white robes, and having crowns of gold on their heads.

2 ^4:5And there proceeded from the throne lightnings and voices and thunders; and seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God, ^4:6and before the throne was as it were a sea of glass like crystal; and in the midst of the throne and about the throne were four living ones [cherubs] full of eyes before and behind. ^4:7And the first cherub was like a lion, and the second cherub like a bullock, and the third cherub had the face of a man, and the fourth cherub was like a flying eagle.

3 ^4:8And the four cherubs had each six wings apiece. And they were full of eyes around and within, and they had no rest day nor night, saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty the Was and the Is and the Is to come. ^4:9And when the cherubs gave glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne who lives forever and ever, ^4:10the twenty-four elders fell down on their faces before him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before his throne, saying, ^4:11Thou art worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou hast created all things, and on account of thy will they are and were created.

4 ^5:1And I saw at the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. ^5:2And I saw a mighty angel proclaim with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seven seals? ^5:3And no one in heaven above, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, could open the book, or look in it. ^5:4And I wept much because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look in it. ^5:5And one of the elders said to me, Weep not; behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, he is opening the book and its seven seals.

5 ^5:6And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four cherubs and in the midst of the elders, a lamb standing as if killed, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. ^5:7And he came and took [the book] from the right hand of him that sat on the throne.

6 ^5:8And when he took the book, the four cherubs and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which is the prayers of the saints: ^5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for thou wast killed and hast redeemed to God with thy blood [men] from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, ^5:10and hast made them a kingdom and priests, and they shall reign on the earth. ^5:11And I saw, and heard a voice of many angels about the throne, and of the cherubs, and of the elders,—and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands,— ^5:12saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was killed to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. ^5:13And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and those which are on the sea, and all things in them, all heard I saying, To him that sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and power forever and ever. ^5:14And the four cherubs said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped: