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Revelation 4
New International Version

### The Throne in Heaven

4 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) 2 At once I was in the Spirit,(E) and there before me was a throne in heaven(F) with someone sitting on it. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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) 7 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) 8 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)

9 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) 10 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:

11 “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)

#### Footnotes

1. Revelation 4:5 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
2. Revelation 4:8 Isaiah 6:3

#### Cross references

1. Revelation 4:1 : S Mt 3:16
2. Revelation 4:1 : Rev 1:10
3. Revelation 4:1 : Rev 11:12
4. Revelation 4:1 : Rev 1:19; 22:6
5. Revelation 4:2 : S Rev 1:10
6. Revelation 4:2 : ver 9, 10; 1Ki 22:19; Isa 6:1; Eze 1:26-28; Da 7:9; Rev 20:11
7. Revelation 4:3 : Rev 21:11
8. Revelation 4:3 : Rev 21:20
9. Revelation 4:3 : Eze 1:28; Rev 10:1
10. Revelation 4:3 : Rev 21:19
11. Revelation 4:4 : ver 10; Rev 5:6, 8, 14; 11:16; 19:4
12. Revelation 4:4 : S Rev 3:4, 5
13. Revelation 4:5 : Ex 19:16; Rev 8:5; 11:19; 16:18
14. Revelation 4:5 : Zec 4:2
15. Revelation 4:5 : S Rev 1:4
16. Revelation 4:6 : Rev 15:2
17. Revelation 4:6 : ver 8, 9; Eze 1:5; Rev 5:6; 6:1; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4
18. Revelation 4:6 : Eze 1:18; 10:12
19. Revelation 4:7 : Eze 1:10; 10:14
20. Revelation 4:8 : S ver 6
21. Revelation 4:8 : Isa 6:2
22. Revelation 4:8 : Eze 1:18
23. Revelation 4:8 : Rev 14:11
24. Revelation 4:8 : Isa 6:3; S Rev 1:8
25. Revelation 4:8 : S Rev 1:4
26. Revelation 4:9 : ver 2; Ps 47:8; S Rev 5:1
27. Revelation 4:9 : S Rev 1:18
28. Revelation 4:10 : S ver 4
29. Revelation 4:10 : Dt 33:3; Rev 5:8, 14; 7:11; 11:16
30. Revelation 4:10 : S ver 2
31. Revelation 4:11 : Rev 1:6; 5:12
32. Revelation 4:11 : Ac 14:15; Rev 10:6

New International Version (NIV)

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