Revelation 15-22

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Preparation for the Bowl Judgments

15 Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign^[a] in heaven:^(A) seven angels with the seven last plagues, for with them, God’s wrath will be completed.^{(B) 2} I also saw something like a sea of glass^(C) mixed with fire, and those who had won the victory over the beast, his image,^[b] and the number of his name, were standing on the sea of glass with harps from God.^{[c](D) 3} They sang the song of God’s servant Moses^(E) and the song of the Lamb:

⁵ After this I looked, and the heavenly sanctuary—the tabernacle of testimony^(F)—was opened.^{(G) 6} Out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in clean, bright linen, with gold sashes wrapped around their chests. ⁷ One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven gold bowls filled with the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. ⁸ Then the sanctuary was filled with smoke from God’s glory and from His power,^(H) and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

The First Bowl

16 Then I heard a loud voice from the sanctuary saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven^[e] bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” ² The first went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and severely painful sores^[f](I) broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

The Second Bowl

³ The second^[g] poured out his bowl into the sea. It turned to blood like a dead man’s, and all life^[h] in the sea died.^(J)

The Third Bowl

⁴ The third^[i] poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood.^{(K) 5} I heard the angel of the waters say:

⁷ Then I heard someone from the altar say:

The Fourth Bowl

⁸ The fourth^[j] poured out his bowl on the sun. He^[k] was given the power^[l] to burn people with fire, ⁹ and people were burned by the intense heat. So they blasphemed the name of God,^(O) who had the power^[m] over these plagues, and they did not repent and give Him glory.

The Fifth Bowl

¹⁰ The fifth^[n] poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast,^(P) and his kingdom was plunged into darkness.^(Q) People^[o] gnawed their tongues because of their pain ¹¹ and blasphemed the God of heaven^(R) because of their pains and their sores, yet they did not repent of their actions.

The Sixth Bowl

¹² The sixth^[p] poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates,^(S) and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the east. ¹³ Then I saw three unclean spirits like frogs^(T) coming from the dragon’s mouth,^(U) from the beast’s mouth,^(V) and from the mouth of the false prophet.^{(W) 14} For they are spirits of demons performing signs,^(X) who travel to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for the battle of the great day of God, the Almighty.^(Y)

¹⁵ “Look, I am coming like a thief. The one who is alert and remains clothed^[q](Z) so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame^(AA) is blessed.”^(AB)

¹⁶ So they assembled them at the place called in Hebrew, Armagedon.^[r][s](AC)

The Seventh Bowl

¹⁷ Then the seventh^[t] poured out his bowl into the air,^[u] and a loud voice came out of the sanctuary^[v](AD) from the throne, saying, “It is done!” ¹⁸ There were flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder. And a severe earthquake occurred like no other since man has been on the earth—so great was the quake.^{(AE) 19} The great city^(AF) split into three parts, and the cities of the nations^[w] fell. Babylon the Great was remembered in God’s presence; He gave her the cup filled with the wine of His fierce anger.^{(AG) 20} Every island fled, and the mountains disappeared.^{[x](AH) 21} Enormous hailstones, each weighing about 100 pounds,^[y] fell from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God^(AI) for the plague of hail because that plague was extremely severe.^(AJ)

The Woman and the Scarlet Beast

17 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls^(AK) came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the judgment of the notorious prostitute^[z] who sits on many^[aa] waters.^{(AL) 2} The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and those who live on the earth became drunk on the wine of her sexual immorality.”^{(AM) 3} So he carried me away in the Spirit^[ab](AN) to a desert. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered^[ac] with blasphemous names and had seven heads and 10 horns.^{(AO) 4} The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She had a gold cup in her hand filled with everything vile^(AP) and with the impurities of her^[ad] prostitution. ⁵ On her forehead a cryptic name^(AQ) was written:

⁶ Then I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

The Meaning of the Woman and of the Beast

⁷ Then the angel said to me, “Why are you astonished? I will tell you the secret meaning of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the 10 horns, that carries her. ⁸ The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss^(AR) and go to destruction.^(AS) Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world^(AT) will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present again.^(AU)

⁹ “Here is the mind with wisdom:^[ae](AV) The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. ¹⁰ They are also seven kings:^[af] Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for a little while. ¹¹ The beast that was and is not, is himself an eighth king, yet he belongs to the seven and is going to destruction. ¹² The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. ¹³ These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. ¹⁴ These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings.^(AW) Those with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

¹⁵ He also said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.^{(AX) 16} The 10 horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute.^(AY) They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire.^{(AZ) 17} For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His plan by having one purpose^(BA) and to give their kingdom^[ag] to the beast until God’s words are accomplished. ¹⁸ And the woman you saw is the great city that has an empire^[ah] over the kings of the earth.”

The Fall of Babylon the Great

18 After this I saw another angel with great authority coming down from heaven, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. ² He cried in a mighty voice:

⁴ Then I heard another voice from heaven:

The World Mourns Babylon’s Fall

⁹ The kings of the earth who have committed sexual immorality and lived luxuriously with her will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her burning. ¹⁰ They will stand far off in fear of her torment, saying:

¹¹ The merchants of the earth will also weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their merchandise any longer— ¹² merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine fabrics of linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; all kinds of fragrant wood products; objects of ivory; objects of expensive wood, brass,^[ap] iron, and marble; ¹³ cinnamon, spice,^[aq][ar] incense, myrrh,^[as] and frankincense; wine, olive oil, fine wheat flour, and grain; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and slaves^[at] and human lives.^[au](BK)

¹⁵ The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand far off in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, ¹⁶ saying:

And every shipmaster, seafarer, the sailors, and all who do business by sea, stood far off ¹⁸ as they watched the smoke from her burning and kept crying out: “Who is like the great city?”^{(BL) 19} They threw dust on their heads and kept crying out, weeping, and mourning:^(BM)

The Finality of Babylon’s Fall

²¹ Then a mighty angel^(BP) picked up a stone like a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying:

Celebration in Heaven

19 After this I heard something like the loud voice of a vast multitude in heaven, saying:

³ A second time they said:

⁴ Then the 24 elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God,^(BZ) who is seated on the throne, saying:

⁵ A voice came from the throne, saying:

Marriage of the Lamb Announced

⁶ Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters,^(CC) and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying:

For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints.^(CF)

⁹ Then he^[bb] said to me,^(CG) “Write: Those invited to the marriage feast^(CH) of the Lamb are fortunate!” He also said to me, “These words of God are true.” ¹⁰ Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the testimony about^[bc] Jesus.^(CI) Worship God, because the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”^[bd]

The Rider on a White Horse

¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened,^(CJ) and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True,^(CK) and He judges and makes war in righteousness.^{(CL) 12} His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns^[be] were on His head. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself.^{(CM) 13} He wore a robe stained with blood,^[bf](CN) and His name is the Word of God.^{(CO) 14} The armies that were in heaven followed Him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. ¹⁵ A sharp^[bg] sword^(CP) came from His mouth, so that He might strike the nations with it.^(CQ) He will shepherd^[bh] them with an iron scepter.^(CR) He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God,^(CS) the Almighty. ¹⁶ And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh:

The Beast and His Armies Defeated

¹⁷ Then I saw an angel standing on^[bi] the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice, saying to all the birds flying high overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, ¹⁸ so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of their riders, and the flesh of everyone, both free and slave, small and great.”^(CU)

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies^(CV) gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against His army. ²⁰ But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with him the false prophet, who had performed the signs in his presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image with these signs.^(CW) Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.^{(CX) 21} The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Satan Bound

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the abyss^(CY) and a great chain in his hand. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the Devil and Satan,^[bj](CZ) and bound^(DA) him for 1,000 years. ³ He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it^(DB) so that he would no longer deceive the nations^(DC) until the 1,000 years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time.

The Saints Reign with the Messiah

⁴ Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge.^(DD) I also saw the people^[bk](DE) who had been beheaded^[bl] because of their testimony about Jesus^(DF) and because of God’s word, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands.^(DG) They came to life^(DH) and reigned with the Messiah for 1,000 years. ⁵ The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were completed. This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed^(DI) and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death^(DJ) has no power^[bm] over them, but they will be priests of God and of the Messiah, and they will reign with Him for 1,000 years.^(DK)

Satanic Rebellion Crushed

⁷ When the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth,^(DL) Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle.^(DM) Their number is like the sand of the sea. ⁹ They came up over the surface of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heaven^[bn] and consumed them.^{(DN) 10} The Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are,^(DO) and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.^(DP)

The Great White Throne Judgment

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.^{(DQ) 12} I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.^(DR) Another book was opened, which is the book of life,^(DS) and the dead were judged according to their works^(DT) by what was written in the books.

¹³ Then the sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades^(DU) gave up their dead; all^[bo] were judged according to their works. ¹⁴ Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.^(DV) This is the second death, the lake of fire.^{[bp] 15} And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

The New Creation

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,^(DW) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed.^{(DX) 2} I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,^(DY) prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.^(DZ)

³ Then I heard a loud voice from the throne:^[bq]

⁵ Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words^[bu] are faithful and true.”^{(EF) 6} And He said to me, “It is done!^(EG) I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(EH) the Beginning and the End.^(EI) I will give water as a gift to the thirsty^(EJ) from the spring of life.^{(EK) 7} The victor^(EL) will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.^{(EM) 8} But the cowards, unbelievers,^[bv] vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur,^(EN) which is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem

⁹ Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues,^(EO) came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰ He then carried me away in the Spirit^[bw](EP) to a great and high mountain^(EQ) and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, ¹¹ arrayed with God’s glory.^(ER) Her radiance was like a very precious stone, like a jasper stone, bright as crystal. ¹² The city had a massive high wall, with 12 gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the 12 tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates. ¹³ There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.^{(ES) 14} The city wall had 12 foundations, and the 12 names of the Lamb’s 12 apostles were on the foundations.

¹⁵ The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod^(ET) to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.^{(EU) 16} The city is laid out in a square; its length and width are the same. He measured the city with the rod at 12,000 stadia.^[bx] Its length, width, and height are equal. ¹⁷ Then he measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which the angel used. ¹⁸ The building material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold like clear glass.

¹⁹ The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone:^(EV)

²¹ The 12 gates are 12 pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The broad street^[by] of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

²² I did not see a sanctuary in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its sanctuary. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because God’s glory illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.^{(EW) 24} The nations^[bz] will walk in its light,^(EX) and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.^{[ca](EY) 25} Each day its gates will never close because it will never be night there. ²⁶ They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.^{[cb](EZ) 27} Nothing profane will ever enter it:^(FA) no one who does what is vile or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.^(FB)

The Source of Life

22 Then he showed me the river^[cc] of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb^{(FC) 2} down the middle of the broad street of the city. The tree of life^[cd] was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month.^(FD) The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, ³ and there will no longer be any curse.^(FE) The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city,^[ce] and His slaves will serve Him. ⁴ They will see His face,^(FF) and His name will be on their foreheads.^{(FG) 5} Night will no longer exist,^(FH) and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

⁶ Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.^(FI) And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets,^[cf] has sent His angel to show His slaves what must quickly take place.”^[cg](FJ)

⁷ “Look, I am coming quickly!^(FK) The one who keeps the prophetic words of this book is blessed.”^(FL)

⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow slave with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”^{(FM) 10} He also said to me, “Don’t seal the prophetic words of this book, because the time is near.^{(FN) 11} Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy go on being made filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; and let the holy go on being made holy.”^(FO)

¹² “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me^(FP) to repay each person according to what he has done.^{(FQ) 13} I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(FR) the First and the Last,^(FS) the Beginning and the End.^(FT)

¹⁴ “Blessed^(FU) are those who wash their robes,^[ch] so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. ¹⁵ Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.^(FV)

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you^[ci] for the churches. I am the Root^(FW) and the Offspring of David,^(FX) the Bright Morning Star.”^(FY)

¹⁷ Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.^(FZ)

¹⁸ I testify to everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. ¹⁹ And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book.^(GA)

²⁰ He who testifies about these things^(GB) says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.”

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!^(GC)

²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus^[cj] be with all the saints.^[ck] Amen.^[cl]