1 After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet  * 4:1 Ex 19:19; 20:18; Ps 47:5; Zch 9:14; Rv 1:10 said, "Come up here,* 4:1 Rv 11:12and I will show you what must take place after this."* 4:1 Gn 12:1; Zch 1:9; Rv 17:1; 21:9

2 Immediately 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 heaven  * 4:2 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. 3 The one seated  * 4:3 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

4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders  * 4:4 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

5 Flashes 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; 5:66 Something 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. 7 The 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; 10:9–148 Each of the four living creatures had six wings;  * 4:8 Is 6:2 they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night  * 4:8 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

9 Whenever 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; 15:710 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne  * 4:10 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,

11 Our Lord and God,  * 4:11 Some mss add the Holy One; other mss read Lord

you are worthy  * 4:11 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.