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Revelation 19-22
New English Translation

19 After these things I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a vast throng in heaven, saying,

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 because his judgments are true and just.[a]
For he has judged[b] the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality,
and has avenged the blood of his servants[c] poured out by her own hands!”[d]

3 Then[e] a second time the crowd shouted, “Hallelujah!” The smoke rises from her forever and ever.[f] 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures threw themselves to the ground[g] and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne, saying: “Amen! Hallelujah!”

5 Then[h] a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God
all you his servants,
and all you who fear him,
both the small and the great!”

The Wedding Celebration of the Lamb

6 Then[i] I heard what sounded like the voice of a vast throng, like the roar of many waters and like loud crashes of thunder. They were shouting:[j]

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God,[k] the All-Powerful,[l] reigns!
7 Let us rejoice[m] and exult
and give him glory,
because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 She was permitted to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen”[n] (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints).[o]

9 Then[p] the angel[q] said to me, “Write the following: Blessed are those who are invited to the banquet at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!” He also said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 So[r] I threw myself down[s] at his feet to worship him, but[t] he said, “Do not do this![u] I am only[v] a fellow servant[w] with you and your brothers and sisters[x] who hold to the testimony about[y] Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The Son of God Goes to War

11 Then[z] I saw heaven opened and here came[aa] a white horse! The[ab] one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice[ac] he judges and goes to war. 12 His eyes are like a fiery[ad] flame and there are many diadem crowns[ae] on his head. He has[af] a name written[ag] that no one knows except himself. 13 He is dressed in clothing dipped[ah] in blood, and he is called[ai] the Word of God. 14 The[aj] armies that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen,[ak] were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations.[al] He[am] will rule[an] them with an iron rod,[ao] and he stomps the winepress[ap] of the furious[aq] wrath of God, the All-Powerful.[ar] 16 He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

17 Then[as] I saw one angel standing in[at] the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying high in the sky:[au]

“Come, gather around for the great banquet[av] of God,
18 to eat[aw] your fill[ax] of the flesh of kings,
the flesh of generals,[ay]
the flesh of powerful people,
the flesh of horses and those who ride them,
and the flesh of all people, both free and slave,[az]
and small and great!”

19 Then[ba] I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with his army. 20 Now[bb] the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf[bc]—signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.[bd] 21 The[be] others were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged[bf] themselves with their flesh.

The Thousand Year Reign

20 Then[bg] I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding[bh] in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. 2 He[bi] seized the dragon—the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan—and tied him up for a thousand years. 3 The angel[bj] then[bk] threw him into the abyss and locked[bl] and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)

4 Then[bm] I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge.[bn] I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These[bo] had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They[bp] came to life[bq] and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished.)[br] This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who takes part[bs] in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them,[bt] but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Satan’s Final Defeat

7 Now[bu] when the thousand years are finished, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive[bv] the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog,[bw] to bring them together for the battle. They are as numerous as the grains of sand in the sea.[bx] 9 They[by] went up[bz] on the broad plain of the earth[ca] and encircled[cb] the camp[cc] of the saints and the beloved city, but[cd] fire came down from heaven and devoured them completely.[ce] 10 And the devil who deceived[cf] them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur,[cg] where the beast and the false prophet are[ch] too, and they will be tormented there day and night forever and ever.

The Great White Throne

11 Then[ci] I saw a large[cj] white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven[ck] fled[cl] from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then[cm] books were opened, and another book was opened—the book of life.[cn] So[co] the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.[cp] 13 The[cq] sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death[cr] and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds. 14 Then[cs] Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 If[ct] anyone’s name[cu] was not found written in the book of life, that person[cv] was thrown into the lake of fire.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then[cw] I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had ceased to exist,[cx] and the sea existed no more. 2 And I saw the holy city—the new Jerusalem—descending out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Look! The residence[cy] of God is among human beings.[cz] He[da] will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them.[db] 4 He[dc] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more—or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.”[dd]

5 And the one seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new!” Then[de] he said to me, “Write it down,[df] because these words are reliable[dg] and true.” 6 He also said to me, “It is done![dh] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who is thirsty I will give water[di] free of charge[dj] from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who conquers[dk] will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells,[dl] idol worshipers,[dm] and all those who lie, their place[dn] will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.[do] That[dp] is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem Descends

9 Then[dq] one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues came and spoke to me,[dr] saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb!” 10 So[ds] he took me away in the Spirit[dt] to a huge, majestic mountain[du] and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 The city possesses[dv] the glory of God; its brilliance is like a precious jewel, like a stone of crystal-clear jasper.[dw] 12 It has[dx] a massive, high wall[dy] with twelve gates,[dz] with twelve angels at the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel[ea] are written on the gates.[eb] 13 There are[ec] three gates on the east side, three gates on the north side, three gates on the south side and three gates on the west side.[ed] 14 The[ee] wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel[ef] who spoke to me had a golden measuring rod with which to measure the city and its foundation stones and wall. 16 Now[eg] the city is laid out as a square,[eh] its length and width the same. He[ei] measured the city with the measuring rod[ej] at 1,400 miles[ek] (its length and width and height are equal). 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits[el] according to human measurement, which is also the angel’s.[em] 18 The city’s[en] wall is made[eo] of jasper and the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.[ep] 19 The foundations of the city’s wall are decorated[eq] with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate,[er] the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx,[es] the sixth carnelian,[et] the seventh chrysolite,[eu] the eighth beryl,[ev] the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase,[ew] the eleventh jacinth,[ex] and the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls—each one of the gates is made from just one pearl! The[ey] main street[ez] of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 Now[fa] I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God—the All-Powerful[fb]—and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God lights it up, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations[fc] will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their grandeur[fd] into it. 25 Its gates will never be closed during the day[fe] (and[ff] there will be no night there).[fg] 26 They will bring the grandeur and the wealth[fh] of the nations[fi] into it, 27 but[fj] nothing ritually unclean[fk] will ever enter into it, nor anyone who does what is detestable[fl] or practices falsehood,[fm] but only those whose names[fn] are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

22 Then[fo] the angel[fp] showed me the river of the water of life—water as clear as crystal—pouring out[fq] from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 flowing down the middle of the city’s[fr] main street.[fs] On each side[ft] of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds[fu] of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year.[fv] Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. 3 And there will no longer be any curse,[fw] and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city.[fx] His[fy] servants[fz] will worship[ga] him, 4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

A Final Reminder

6 Then[gb] the angel[gc] said to me, “These words are reliable[gd] and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants[ge] what must happen soon.”

7 (Look ! I am coming soon!
Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.)[gf]

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things,[gg] and when I heard and saw them,[gh] I threw myself down[gi] to worship at the feet of the angel who was showing them to me. 9 But[gj] he said to me, “Do not do this![gk] I am a fellow servant[gl] with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with those who obey[gm] the words of this book. Worship God!” 10 Then[gn] he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy contained in this book, because the time is near. 11 The evildoer must continue to do evil,[go] and the one who is morally filthy[gp] must continue to be filthy. The[gq] one who is righteous must continue to act righteously, and the one who is holy must continue to be holy.”

12 (Look ! I am coming soon,
and my reward is with me to pay[gr] each one according to what he has done!
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the first and the last,
the beginning and the end!)[gs]

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can have access[gt] to the tree of life and can enter into the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers[gu] and the sexually immoral, and the murderers, and the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood![gv]

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star!”[gw] 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say: “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge.

18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy contained in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described[gx] in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life[gy] and in the holy city that are described in this book.

20 The one who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.[gz]

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 19:2 tn Compare the similar phrase in Rev 16:7.
  2. Revelation 19:2 tn Or “has punished.” See BDAG 568 s.v. κρίνω 5.b.α, describing the OT background which involves both the vindication of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty.
  3. Revelation 19:2 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  4. Revelation 19:2 tn Grk “from her hand” (referring to her responsibility in causing the blood of God’s followers to be shed).
  5. Revelation 19:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  6. Revelation 19:3 tn Or “her smoke ascends forever and ever.”
  7. Revelation 19:4 tn Grk “creatures fell down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  8. Revelation 19:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  9. Revelation 19:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  10. Revelation 19:6 tn Grk “like the voice of a large crowd…saying.” Because of the complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the words “They were.”
  11. Revelation 19:6 tc Several mss (א2 P 1611 2053 2344 MK lat) read “the Lord our God” (κύριος ὁ θεός ἡμῶν, kurios ho theos hēmōn). Other significant mss (A 1006 1841), however, omit the “our” (ἡμῶν). Further, certain mss (051 MA) omit “Lord” (κύριος), while others (including א*) change the order of the statement to “God our Lord” (ὁ θεός ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν). The expression “the Lord God, the All-Powerful” occurs in 6 other places in Revelation (1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22) and the pronoun “our” is never used. Scribes familiar with the expression in this book, and especially with the frequent κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ (kurios ho theos ho pantokratōr; “the Lord God, the All-Powerful”) in the OT Prophets (LXX; cf. Jer 39:19; Hos 12:6; Amos 3:13; 4:13; 5:8, 14, 15, 16, 27; 9:5, 6, 15; Nah 3:5; Zech 10:3), would naturally omit the pronoun. Its presence may have arisen due to liturgical motivations or to conform to the expression “our God” in 19:1, 5, but this seems much less likely than an aversion to using the pronoun here and only here in the Greek Bible in the fuller title κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ.
  12. Revelation 19:6 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22…κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ὁ π. Rv 19:6.”
  13. Revelation 19:7 tn This verb and the next two verbs are hortatory subjunctives (giving exhortations).
  14. Revelation 19:8 tn On the term translated “fine linen,” BDAG 185 s.v. βύσσινος states, “made of fine linen, subst. τὸ β. fine linen, linen garment…Rv 18:12…16; 19:8, 14.”
  15. Revelation 19:8 sn This phrase is treated as a parenthetical explanation by the author.
  16. Revelation 19:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  17. Revelation 19:9 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  18. Revelation 19:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s announcement.
  19. Revelation 19:10 tn Grk “I fell down at his feet.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  20. Revelation 19:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  21. Revelation 19:10 tn On the elliptical expression ὅρα μή (hora mē) BDAG 720 s.v. ὁράω B.2 states: “Elliptically…ὅρα μή (sc. ποιήσῃς) watch out! don’t do that! Rv 19:10; 22:9.”
  22. Revelation 19:10 tn The lowliness of a slave is emphasized in the Greek text with the emphatic position of σύνδουλος (sundoulos). The use of “only” helps to bring this nuance out in English.
  23. Revelation 19:10 tn Grk “fellow slave.” See the note on the word “servants” in v. 2.
  24. Revelation 19:10 tn The Greek term “brother” literally refers to family relationships, but here it is used in a broader sense to connote familial relationships within the family of God (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 2.a).
  25. Revelation 19:10 tn The genitive ᾿Ιησοῦ (Iēsou) has been translated as an objective genitive here. A subjective genitive, also possible, would produce the meaning “who hold to what Jesus testifies.”
  26. Revelation 19:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  27. Revelation 19:11 tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
  28. Revelation 19:11 tn A new sentence was started in the translation at this point and καί (kai) was not translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  29. Revelation 19:11 tn Or “in righteousness,” but since the context here involves the punishment of the wicked and the vindication of the saints, “justice” was preferred.
  30. Revelation 19:12 tn The genitive noun πυρός (puros) has been translated as an attributive genitive (see also Rev 1:14).
  31. Revelation 19:12 tn For the translation of διάδημα (diadēma) as “diadem crown” see L&N 6.196.sn Diadem crowns were a type of crown used as a symbol of the highest ruling authority in a given area, and thus often associated with kingship.
  32. Revelation 19:12 tn Grk “head, having.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  33. Revelation 19:12 tn Although many translations supply a prepositional phrase to specify what the name was written on (“upon Him,” NASB; “on him,” NIV), there is no location for the name specified in the Greek text.
  34. Revelation 19:13 tc It appears that “dipped” (βεβαμμένον, bebammenon), supported by several majuscules and other witnesses (A 051 M), is the original reading. Due to the lack of the preposition “in” (ἐν, en) after the verb (βεβαμμένον αἵματι, bebammenon haimati), and also probably because of literary allusions to Isa 63:3, several mss and versions seem to have changed the text to “sprinkled” (either ῥεραντισμένον [rherantismenon] in P 2329 al; ἐρραντισμένον [errantismenon] in 1006 1841; ἐρραμμένον [errammenon] in 2053 2062; or ῥεραμμένον [rherammenon] in 1611; or in one case περιρεραμμένον [perirerammenon] in א[2]). The reading most likely to give rise to the others is “dipped.”tn Or perhaps “soaked.”
  35. Revelation 19:13 tn Grk “the name of him is called.”
  36. Revelation 19:14 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  37. Revelation 19:14 tn On the term translated “fine linen,” BDAG 185 s.v. βύσσινος states, “made of fine linen, subst. τὸ β. fine linen, linen garment…Rv 18:12, 16; 19:8, 14.”
  38. Revelation 19:15 tn Or “the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  39. Revelation 19:15 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  40. Revelation 19:15 tn Grk “will shepherd.”
  41. Revelation 19:15 tn Or “scepter.” The Greek term ῥάβδος (rhabdos) can mean either “rod” or “scepter.” sn A quotation from Ps 2:9 (see also Rev 2:27; 12:5).
  42. Revelation 19:15 sn He stomps the winepress. See Isa 63:3, where Messiah does this alone (usually several individuals would join in the process), and Rev 14:20.
  43. Revelation 19:15 tn The genitive θυμοῦ (thumou) has been translated as an attributed genitive. Following BDAG 461 s.v. θυμός 2, the combination of the genitives of θυμός (thumos) and ὀργή (orgē) in Rev 16:19 and 19:15 are taken to be a strengthening of the thought as in the OT and Qumran literature (Exod 32:12; Jer 32:37; Lam 2:3; CD 10:9).
  44. Revelation 19:15 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
  45. Revelation 19:17 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  46. Revelation 19:17 tn The precise significance of ἐν (en) here is difficult to determine.
  47. Revelation 19:17 tn On μεσουρανήματι (mesouranēmati) here see L&N 1.10: “high in the sky, midpoint in the sky, directly overhead, straight above in the sky.” The birds mentioned here are carrion birds like vultures, circling high overhead, and now being summoned to feast on the corpses.
  48. Revelation 19:17 tn This is the same Greek word (δεῖπνον, deipnon) used in 19:9.
  49. Revelation 19:18 tn The ἵνα (hina) clause, insofar as it is related to the first imperative, has the force of an imperative.
  50. Revelation 19:18 tn The idea of eating “your fill” is evident in the context with the use of χορτάζω (chortazō) in v. 21.
  51. Revelation 19:18 tn Grk “chiliarchs”; normally a chiliarch was a military officer commanding a thousand soldiers, but here probably used of higher-ranking commanders like generals (see L&N 55.15; cf. Rev 6:15).
  52. Revelation 19:18 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  53. Revelation 19:19 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  54. Revelation 19:20 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of an unexpected development in the account: The opposing armies do not come together in battle; rather the leader of one side is captured.
  55. Revelation 19:20 tn For this meaning see BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνώπιον 4.b, “by the authority of, on behalf of Rv 13:12, 14; 19:20.”
  56. Revelation 19:20 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
  57. Revelation 19:21 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  58. Revelation 19:21 tn On the translation of ἐχορτάσθησαν (echortasthēsan) BDAG 1087 s.v. χορτάζω 1.a states, “of animals, pass. in act. sense πάντα τὰ ὄρνεα ἐχορτάσθησαν ἐκ τῶν σαρκῶν αὐτῶν all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh Rv 19:21 (cp. TestJud. 21:8).”
  59. Revelation 20:1 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  60. Revelation 20:1 tn The two clauses “having/holding the key of the abyss” and “a huge chain in his hand” can be construed in two ways: (1) both are controlled by the participle ἔχοντα (echonta) and both are modified by the phrase “in his hand”—“having in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain.” (2) The participle ἔχοντα refers only to the key, and the phrase “in his hand” refers only to the chain—“having the key of the abyss and holding a huge chain in his hand.” Because of the stylistic tendency in Rev to use the verb ἔχω (echō) to mean “hold (something)” and the phrase “in his hand” forming a “bracket” along with the verb ἔχω around both the phrases in question, the first option is preferred.
  61. Revelation 20:2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  62. Revelation 20:3 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel introduced in v. 1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  63. Revelation 20:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  64. Revelation 20:3 tn Or “and shut.” While the lexical force of the term is closer to “shut,” it is acceptable to render the verb ἔκλεισεν (ekleisen) as “locked” here in view of the mention of the key in the previous verse.
  65. Revelation 20:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  66. Revelation 20:4 tn Grk “I saw thrones, and those seated on them, and judgment was given to them.” BDAG 567 s.v. κρίμα 3 says, “judging, judgment, the κρίμα ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς authority to judge was given to them Rv 20:4.”
  67. Revelation 20:4 tn Grk “God, and who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the pronoun “these” as subject.
  68. Revelation 20:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  69. Revelation 20:4 tn On the use of the aorist ἔζησαν (ezēsan) BDAG 425 s.v. ζάω 1.a.β says, “of dead persons who return to life become alive again: of humans in general (3 Km 17:23) Mt 9:18; Ac 9:41; 20:12; Rv 20:4, 5.”
  70. Revelation 20:5 sn This statement appears to be a parenthetical comment by the author.
  71. Revelation 20:6 tn Grk “who has a share.”
  72. Revelation 20:6 tn The shift from the singular pronoun (“the one”) to the plural (“them”) in the passage reflects the Greek text: The singular participle ὁ ἔχων (ho echōn) is followed by the plural pronoun τούτων (toutōn). In the interests of English style, this is obscured in most modern translations except the NASB.
  73. Revelation 20:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
  74. Revelation 20:8 tn Or “mislead.”
  75. Revelation 20:8 sn The battle with Gog and Magog is described in the OT in Ezek 38:1-39:20.
  76. Revelation 20:8 tn Grk “of whom the number of them [is] like the sand of the sea” (an allusion to Isa 10:22).
  77. Revelation 20:9 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  78. Revelation 20:9 tn The shift here to past tense reflects the Greek text.
  79. Revelation 20:9 tn On the phrase “broad plain of the earth” BDAG 823 s.v. πλάτος states, “τὸ πλάτος τῆς γῆς Rv 20:9 comes fr. the OT (Da 12:2 LXX. Cp. Hab 1:6; Sir 1:3), but the sense is not clear: breadth = the broad plain of the earth is perh. meant to provide room for the countless enemies of God vs. 8, but the ‘going up’ is better suited to Satan (vs. 7) who has recently been freed, and who comes up again fr. the abyss (vs. 3).” The referent here thus appears to be a plain large enough to accommodate the numberless hoards that have drawn up for battle against the Lord Christ and his saints.
  80. Revelation 20:9 tn Or “surrounded.”
  81. Revelation 20:9 tn On the term παρεμβολή (parembolē) BDAG 775 s.v. states, “Mostly used as a military t.t.…so always in our lit.…1. a (fortified) camp…ἡ παρεμβολὴ τῶν ἁγίων Rv 20:9 is also to be understood fr. the OT use of the word.”
  82. Revelation 20:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  83. Revelation 20:9 tn See L&N 20.45 for the translation of κατεσθίω (katesthiō) as “to destroy utterly, to consume completely.”
  84. Revelation 20:10 tn Or “misled.”
  85. Revelation 20:10 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
  86. Revelation 20:10 tn The verb in this clause is elided. In keeping with the previous past tenses some translations supply a past tense verb here (“were”), but in view of the future tense that follows (“they will be tormented”), a present tense verb was used to provide a transition from the previous past tense to the future tense that follows.
  87. Revelation 20:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  88. Revelation 20:11 tn Traditionally, “great,” but μέγας (megas) here refers to size rather than importance.
  89. Revelation 20:11 tn Or “and the sky.” The same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky,” and context usually determines which is meant. In this apocalyptic scene, however, it is difficult to be sure what referent to assign the term.
  90. Revelation 20:11 tn Or “vanished.”sn The phrase the earth and the heaven fled from his presence can be understood (1) as visual imagery representing the fear of corruptible matter in the presence of God, but (2) it can also be understood more literally as the dissolution of the universe as we know it in preparation for the appearance of the new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1).
  91. Revelation 20:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  92. Revelation 20:12 tn Grk “another book was opened, which is of life.”
  93. Revelation 20:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the books being opened.
  94. Revelation 20:12 tn Grk “from the things written in the books according to their works.”
  95. Revelation 20:13 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  96. Revelation 20:13 sn Here Death is personified (cf. 1 Cor 15:55).
  97. Revelation 20:14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  98. Revelation 20:15 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  99. Revelation 20:15 tn The word “name” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
  100. Revelation 20:15 tn Grk “he”; the pronoun has been intensified by translating as “that person.”
  101. Revelation 21:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  102. Revelation 21:1 tn For the translation of ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai; here ἀπῆλθαν [apēlthan]) L&N 13.93 has “to go out of existence—‘to cease to exist, to pass away, to cease.’”
  103. Revelation 21:3 tn Or “dwelling place”; traditionally, “tabernacle”; literally “tent.”
  104. Revelation 21:3 tn Or “people”; Grk “men” (ἀνθρώπων, anthrōpōn), a generic use of the term. In the translation “human beings” was used here because “people” occurs later in the verse and translates a different Greek word (λαοί, laoi).
  105. Revelation 21:3 tn Grk “men, and he.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  106. Revelation 21:3 tc ‡ Most mss (א MK) do not add the words “[as] their God” (αὐτῶν θεός, autōn theos) after “he will be with them.” The mss with these words include A 2030 2050 2329 al. The Andreas group (MA) also has the words, but in a different arrangement with the preceding (ἔσται μετ᾿ αὐτῶν θεὸς αὐτῶν, estai met’ autōn theos autōn). Not only do the words float, but scribes may have been motivated to make a connection here more directly with Isa 7:14; 8:8; Jer 24:7; 31:33; Zech 8:8. In light of sufficient external evidence as well as the possibility that the longer reading is theologically motivated, the shorter reading is preferred. NA28 places the words in brackets, indicating doubts as to their authenticity.
  107. Revelation 21:4 tn Grk “God, and he.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  108. Revelation 21:4 tn For the translation of ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai; here ἀπῆλθαν [apēlthan]) L&N 13.93 has “to go out of existence—‘to cease to exist, to pass away, to cease.’”
  109. Revelation 21:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  110. Revelation 21:5 tn The words “it down” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  111. Revelation 21:5 tn Grk “faithful.”
  112. Revelation 21:6 tn Or “It has happened.”
  113. Revelation 21:6 tn The word “water” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  114. Revelation 21:6 tn Or “as a free gift” (see L&N 57.85).
  115. Revelation 21:7 tn Or “who is victorious”; traditionally, “who overcomes.”
  116. Revelation 21:8 tn On the term φαρμακεία (pharmakeia, “magic spells”) see L&N 53.100: “the use of magic, often involving drugs and the casting of spells upon people—‘to practice magic, to cast spells upon, to engage in sorcery, magic, sorcery.’ φαρμακεία: ἐν τῇ φαρμακείᾳ σου ἐπλανήθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ‘with your magic spells you deceived all the peoples (of the world)’ Re 18:23.”
  117. Revelation 21:8 tn Grk “idolaters.”
  118. Revelation 21:8 tn Grk “their share.”
  119. Revelation 21:8 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
  120. Revelation 21:8 tn Grk “sulfur, which is.” The relative pronoun has been translated as “that” to indicate its connection to the previous clause. The nearest logical antecedent is “the lake [that burns with fire and sulfur],” although “lake” (λίμνη, limnē) is feminine gender, while the pronoun “which” (ὅ, ho) is neuter gender. This means that (1) the proper antecedent could be “their place” (Grk “their share,”) agreeing with the relative pronoun in number and gender, or (2) the neuter pronoun still has as its antecedent the feminine noun “lake,” since agreement in gender between pronoun and antecedent was not always maintained, with an explanatory phrase occurring with a neuter pronoun regardless of the case of the antecedent. In favor of the latter explanation is Rev 20:14, where the phrase “the lake of fire” is in apposition to the phrase “the second death.”
  121. Revelation 21:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  122. Revelation 21:9 tn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (met’ emou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.” See also v. 15.
  123. Revelation 21:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s invitation.
  124. Revelation 21:10 tn Or “in the spirit.” “Spirit” could refer either to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit, but in either case John was in “a state of spiritual exaltation best described as a trance” (R. H. Mounce, Revelation [NICNT], 75).
  125. Revelation 21:10 tn Grk “to a mountain great and high.”
  126. Revelation 21:11 tn Grk “from God, having the glory of God.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation by supplying the words “the city” to refer back to the previous clause and translating the participle (“having”) as a finite verb.
  127. Revelation 21:11 tn On the term ἰάσπιδι (iaspidi) BDAG 465 s.v. ἴασπις states, “jasper, a precious stone found in various colors, mostly reddish, somet. green…brown, blue, yellow, and white. In antiquity the name was not limited to the variety of quartz now called jasper, but could designate any opaque precious stone. Rv 21:18f. W. λίθος 4:3 (TestSol C 11:8). λίθος ἴασπις κρυσταλλίζων a stone of crystal-clear jasper 21:11 (cp. Is 54:12); perh. the opal is meant here; acc. to some, the diamond.”
  128. Revelation 21:12 tn Grk “jasper, having.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.
  129. Revelation 21:12 tn Grk “a (city) wall great and high.”
  130. Revelation 21:12 tn On this term BDAG 897 s.v. πυλών 1 states, “gate, esp. of the large, impressive gateways at the entrance of temples and palaces…of the entrances of the heavenly Jerusalem…οἱ πυλῶνες αὐτῆς οὐ μὴ κλεισθῶσιν its entrances shall never be shut Rv 21:25; cp. vss. 12ab, 13abcd, 15, 21ab; 22:14.”
  131. Revelation 21:12 tn Grk “of the sons of Israel.” The translation “nation of Israel” is given in L&N 11.58.
  132. Revelation 21:12 tn Grk “on them”; the referent (the gates) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  133. Revelation 21:13 tn The words “There are” have been supplied to make a complete English sentence. This is a continuation of the previous sentence, a lengthy and complicated one in Greek.
  134. Revelation 21:13 tn The word “side” has been supplied four times in this verse for clarity.
  135. Revelation 21:14 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  136. Revelation 21:15 tn Grk “the one”; the referent (the angel of v. 9) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  137. Revelation 21:16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the somewhat parenthetical nature of the description of the city.
  138. Revelation 21:16 tn Or “the city lies square.” On κεῖμαι (keimai) in this context, BDAG 537 s.v. 2 states, “lie, of things…ἡ πόλις τετράγωνος κεῖται is laid out as a square Rv 21:16.”
  139. Revelation 21:16 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  140. Revelation 21:16 tn Grk “with the rod”; the word “measuring” is supplied from the description in v. 15.
  141. Revelation 21:16 tn Or “2,200 kilometers,” Grk “12,000 stades.” A stade was a measure of length about 607 ft (185 m).
  142. Revelation 21:17 tn Here the measurement was kept in cubits in the translation because of the possible symbolic significance of the number 144 (12 times 12). This is about 216 ft (65 m).
  143. Revelation 21:17 tn Here L&N 81.1 translate the phrase μέτρον ἀνθρώπου, ὅ ἐστιν ἀγγέλου (metron anthrōpou, ho estin angelou) “‘the unit of measurement used by a person, that is, by an angel’ Re 21:17.” It is more likely that μέτρον is an accusative of respect or reference.
  144. Revelation 21:18 tn Grk “and its wall”; the referent of the pronoun (the city) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  145. Revelation 21:18 tn The phrase ἡ ἐνδώμησις τοῦ τείχους (hē endōmēsis tou teichous) is difficult to translate precisely. BDAG 334 s.v. ἐνδώμησις states, “primary mng. ‘interior structure’; in our lit. prob.=construction, hence material τοῦ τείχους Rv 21:18.” The phrase could then be translated, “the foundation of the city wall was jasper” or “the material used for the wall of the city was jasper.” The latter alternative has been used in the translation because the text goes on to discuss the foundation in 21:19 (using the term θεμέλιος [themelios]), which is somewhat redundant if the foundation is mentioned here.
  146. Revelation 21:18 tn Or “transparent crystal.” See L&N 6.222, which notes the emphasis is on transparency here. The same Greek word, καθαρός (katharos), means both “pure” (referring to the gold) and “transparent” (referring to the glass).
  147. Revelation 21:19 tn The perfect participle here has been translated as an intensive (resultative) perfect.
  148. Revelation 21:19 sn Agate (also called chalcedony) is a semiprecious stone usually milky or gray in color (L&N 2.32).
  149. Revelation 21:20 sn Onyx (also called sardonyx) is a semiprecious stone that comes in various colors (L&N 2.35).
  150. Revelation 21:20 sn Carnelian is a semiprecious gemstone, usually red in color (L&N 2.36).
  151. Revelation 21:20 sn Chrysolite refers to either quartz or topaz, golden yellow in color (L&N 2.37).
  152. Revelation 21:20 sn Beryl is a semiprecious stone, usually blue-green or green in color (L&N 2.38).
  153. Revelation 21:20 sn Chrysoprase is a greenish type of quartz (L&N 2.40).
  154. Revelation 21:20 sn Jacinth is a semiprecious stone, probably blue in color (also called “hyacinth,” but that translation is not used here because of possible confusion with the flower of the same name). See L&N 2.41.
  155. Revelation 21:21 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  156. Revelation 21:21 tn The Greek word πλατεῖα (plateia) refers to a major (broad) street (L&N 1.103).
  157. Revelation 21:22 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic. Every verse from here to the end of this chapter begins with καί in Greek, but due to differences between Greek and contemporary English style, these have not been translated.
  158. Revelation 21:22 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
  159. Revelation 21:24 tn Or “the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  160. Revelation 21:24 tn Or “splendor”; Grk “glory.”
  161. Revelation 21:25 tn On the translation “during the day” see BDAG 436 s.v. ἡμέρα 1.a, “But also, as in Thu. et al., of time within which someth. occurs, ἡμέρας during the day Rv 21:25.”
  162. Revelation 21:25 tn The Greek connective γάρ (gar) most often expresses some sort of causal connection. However, in this context there is no causal force to the second phrase; γάρ simply expresses continuation or connection. Because of this it has been translated as “and.” See BDAG 189-90 s.v. 2.
  163. Revelation 21:25 tn The clause has virtually the force of a parenthetical comment.
  164. Revelation 21:26 tn Grk “honor,” but BDAG 1005 s.v. τιμή 2.b states, “An outstanding feature of the use of τ., as already shown in several passages, is its combination w. δόξα…of earthly possessions τὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν τιμὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν Rv 21:26 (τιμή concr.=an object of value: Ezk 22:25).”
  165. Revelation 21:26 tn Or “the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  166. Revelation 21:27 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  167. Revelation 21:27 tn Here BDAG 552 s.v. κοινός 2 states, “pert. to being of little value because of being common, common, ordinary, profane…b. specifically, of that which is ceremonially impure: Rv 21:27.”
  168. Revelation 21:27 tn Or “what is abhorrent”; Grk “who practices abominations.”
  169. Revelation 21:27 tn Grk “practicing abomination or falsehood.” Because of the way βδέλυγμα (bdelugma) has been translated (“does what is detestable”) it was necessary to repeat the idea from the participle ποιῶν (poiōn, “practices”) before the term “falsehood.” On this term, BDAG 1097 s.v. ψεῦδος states, “ποιεῖν ψεῦδος practice (the things that go with) falsehood Rv 21:27; 22:15.” Cf. Rev 3:9.
  170. Revelation 21:27 tn Grk “those who are written”; the word “names” is implied.
  171. Revelation 22:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  172. Revelation 22:1 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel mentioned in 21:9, 15) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  173. Revelation 22:1 tn Grk “proceeding.” Water is more naturally thought to pour out or flow out in English idiom.
  174. Revelation 22:2 tn Grk “its”; the referent (the city, the new Jerusalem) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  175. Revelation 22:2 tn The Greek word πλατεῖα (plateia) refers to a major (broad) street (L&N 1.103).
  176. Revelation 22:2 tn Grk “From here and from there.”
  177. Revelation 22:2 tn Or “twelve crops” (one for each month of the year).
  178. Revelation 22:2 tn The words “of the year” are implied.
  179. Revelation 22:3 tn Or “be anything accursed” (L&N 33.474).
  180. Revelation 22:3 tn Grk “in it”; the referent (the city, the new Jerusalem) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  181. Revelation 22:3 tn Grk “city, and his.” Although this is a continuation of the previous sentence in Greek, a new sentence was started here in the translation because of the introduction of the Lamb’s followers.
  182. Revelation 22:3 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  183. Revelation 22:3 tn Or “will serve.”
  184. Revelation 22:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  185. Revelation 22:6 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel mentioned in 21:9, 15; 22:1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  186. Revelation 22:6 tn Grk “faithful.”
  187. Revelation 22:6 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  188. Revelation 22:7 sn These lines are parenthetical, forming an aside to the narrative. The speaker here is the Lord Jesus Christ himself rather than the narrator.
  189. Revelation 22:8 tn Or “I am John, the one who heard and saw these things.”
  190. Revelation 22:8 tn The pronoun “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  191. Revelation 22:8 tn Grk “I fell down and worshiped at the feet.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  192. Revelation 22:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present here.
  193. Revelation 22:9 tn On the elliptical expression ὅρα μή (hora mē) BDAG 720 s.v. ὁράω B.2 states: “Elliptically…ὅρα μή (sc. ποιήσῃς) watch out! don’t do that! Rv 19:10; 22:9.”
  194. Revelation 22:9 tn Grk “fellow slave.” Though σύνδουλος (sundoulos) is here translated “fellow servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  195. Revelation 22:9 tn Grk “keep” (an idiom for obedience).
  196. Revelation 22:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  197. Revelation 22:11 tn Grk “must do evil still.”
  198. Revelation 22:11 tn For this translation see L&N 88.258; the term refers to living in moral filth.
  199. Revelation 22:11 tn Grk “filthy, and the.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in Greek, but because of the length and complexity of the construction a new sentence was started in the translation.
  200. Revelation 22:12 tn The Greek term may be translated either “pay” or “pay back” and has something of a double meaning here. However, because of the mention of “wages” (“reward,” another wordplay with two meanings) in the previous clause, the translation “pay” for ἀποδοῦναι (apodounai) was used here.
  201. Revelation 22:13 sn These lines are parenthetical, forming an aside to the narrative. The speaker here is the Lord Jesus Christ himself rather than the narrator.
  202. Revelation 22:14 tn Grk “so that there will be to them authority over the tree of life.”
  203. Revelation 22:15 tn On the term φάρμακοι (pharmakoi) see L&N 53.101.
  204. Revelation 22:15 tn Or “lying,” “deceit.”
  205. Revelation 22:16 tn On this expression BDAG 892 s.v. πρωϊνός states, “early, belonging to the morning ὁ ἀστὴρ ὁ πρ. the morning star, Venus Rv 2:28; 22:16.”
  206. Revelation 22:18 tn Grk “written.”
  207. Revelation 22:19 tc The Textus Receptus, on which the KJV rests, reads “the book” of life (ἀπὸ βίβλου, apo biblou) instead of “the tree” of life. When the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus translated the NT he had access to no Greek mss for the last six verses of Revelation. So he translated the Latin Vulgate back into Greek at this point. As a result he created seventeen textual variants which were not in any Greek mss. The most notorious of these is this reading. It is thus decidedly inauthentic, while “the tree” of life, found in the best and virtually all Greek mss, is clearly authentic. The confusion was most likely due to an intra-Latin switch: The form of the word for “tree” in Latin in this passage is ligno; the word for “book” is libro. The two-letter difference accounts for an accidental alteration in some Latin mss; that “book of life” as well as “tree of life” is a common expression in the Apocalypse probably accounts for why this was not noticed by Erasmus or the KJV translators. (This textual problem is not discussed in NA27.)
  208. Revelation 22:21 tc Most mss (א M) read “amen” (ἀμήν, amēn) after “all” (πάντων, pantōn). It is, however, not found in other significant mss (A 1006 1841). It is easier to account for its addition than its omission from the text if original. Such a conclusion is routinely added by scribes to NT books because a few of these books originally had such an ending (cf. Rom 16:27; Gal 6:18; Jude 25). A majority of Greek witnesses have the concluding ἀμήν in every NT book except Acts, James, and 3 John (and even in these books, ἀμήν is found in some witnesses). It is thus a predictable variant.
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Revelation 19-22
New International Version

Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall

19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude(A) in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah!(B)
Salvation(C) and glory and power(D) belong to our God,
2     for true and just are his judgments.(E)
He has condemned the great prostitute(F)
    who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”(G)

3 And again they shouted:

“Hallelujah!(H)
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”(I)

4 The twenty-four elders(J) and the four living creatures(K) fell down(L) and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

“Amen, Hallelujah!”(M)

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,
    all you his servants,(N)
you who fear him,
    both great and small!”(O)

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude,(P) like the roar of rushing waters(Q) and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!(R)
    For our Lord God Almighty(S) reigns.(T)
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!(U)
For the wedding of the Lamb(V) has come,
    and his bride(W) has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen,(X) bright and clean,
    was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts(Y) of God’s holy people.)

9 Then the angel said to me,(Z) “Write this:(AA) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”(AB) And he added, “These are the true words of God.”(AC)

10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him.(AD) But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!(AE) For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”(AF)

The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast

11 I saw heaven standing open(AG) and there before me was a white horse, whose rider(AH) is called Faithful and True.(AI) With justice he judges and wages war.(AJ) 12 His eyes are like blazing fire,(AK) and on his head are many crowns.(AL) He has a name written on him(AM) that no one knows but he himself.(AN) 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,(AO) and his name is the Word of God.(AP) 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen,(AQ) white(AR) and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword(AS) with which to strike down(AT) the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a](AU) He treads the winepress(AV) of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:(AW)

king of kings and lord of lords.(AX)

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds(AY) flying in midair,(AZ) “Come,(BA) gather together for the great supper of God,(BB) 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people,(BC) free and slave,(BD) great and small.”(BE)

19 Then I saw the beast(BF) and the kings of the earth(BG) and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse(BH) and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet(BI) who had performed the signs(BJ) on its behalf.(BK) With these signs he had deluded(BL) those who had received the mark of the beast(BM) and worshiped its image.(BN) The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake(BO) of burning sulfur.(BP) 21 The rest were killed with the sword(BQ) coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse,(BR) and all the birds(BS) gorged themselves on their flesh.

The Thousand Years

20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven,(BT) having the key(BU) to the Abyss(BV) and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan,(BW) and bound him for a thousand years.(BX) 3 He threw him into the Abyss,(BY) and locked and sealed(BZ) it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations(CA) anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

4 I saw thrones(CB) on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.(CC) And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded(CD) because of their testimony about Jesus(CE) and because of the word of God.(CF) They[b] had not worshiped the beast(CG) or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.(CH) They came to life and reigned(CI) with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.(CJ) 6 Blessed(CK) and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death(CL) has no power over them, but they will be priests(CM) of God and of Christ and will reign with him(CN) for a thousand years.

The Judgment of Satan

7 When the thousand years are over,(CO) Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations(CP) in the four corners of the earth(CQ)—Gog and Magog(CR)—and to gather them for battle.(CS) In number they are like the sand on the seashore.(CT) 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded(CU) the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.(CV) But fire came down from heaven(CW) and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them,(CX) was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,(CY) where the beast(CZ) and the false prophet(DA) had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.(DB)

The Judgment of the Dead

11 Then I saw a great white throne(DC) and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence,(DD) and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small,(DE) standing before the throne, and books were opened.(DF) Another book was opened, which is the book of life.(DG) The dead were judged(DH) according to what they had done(DI) as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades(DJ) gave up the dead(DK) that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.(DL) 14 Then death(DM) and Hades(DN) were thrown into the lake of fire.(DO) The lake of fire is the second death.(DP) 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life(DQ) was thrown into the lake of fire.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[c](DR) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,(DS) and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City,(DT) the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,(DU) prepared as a bride(DV) beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.(DW) They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.(DX) 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.(DY) There will be no more death’[d](DZ) or mourning or crying or pain,(EA) for the old order of things has passed away.”(EB)

5 He who was seated on the throne(EC) said, “I am making everything new!”(ED) Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”(EE)

6 He said to me: “It is done.(EF) I am the Alpha and the Omega,(EG) the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost(EH) from the spring of the water of life.(EI) 7 Those who are victorious(EJ) will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.(EK) 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars(EL)—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.(EM) This is the second death.”(EN)

The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb

9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues(EO) came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride,(EP) the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away(EQ) in the Spirit(ER) to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.(ES) 11 It shone with the glory of God,(ET) and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper,(EU) clear as crystal.(EV) 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates,(EW) and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.(EX) 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations,(EY) and on them were the names of the twelve apostles(EZ) of the Lamb.

15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod(FA) of gold to measure the city, its gates(FB) and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia[e] in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human(FC) measurement, and it was 144 cubits[f] thick.[g] 18 The wall was made of jasper,(FD) and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.(FE) 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.(FF) The first foundation was jasper,(FG) the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby,(FH) the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[h] 21 The twelve gates(FI) were twelve pearls,(FJ) each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.(FK)

22 I did not see a temple(FL) in the city, because the Lord God Almighty(FM) and the Lamb(FN) are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God(FO) gives it light,(FP) and the Lamb(FQ) is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.(FR) 25 On no day will its gates(FS) ever be shut,(FT) for there will be no night there.(FU) 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.(FV) 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,(FW) but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.(FX)

Eden Restored

22 Then the angel showed me the river(FY) of the water of life,(FZ) as clear as crystal,(GA) flowing(GB) from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life,(GC) bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.(GD) 3 No longer will there be any curse.(GE) The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.(GF) 4 They will see his face,(GG) and his name will be on their foreheads.(GH) 5 There will be no more night.(GI) They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.(GJ) And they will reign for ever and ever.(GK)

John and the Angel

6 The angel said to me,(GL) “These words are trustworthy and true.(GM) The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets,(GN) sent his angel(GO) to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

7 “Look, I am coming soon!(GP) Blessed(GQ) is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”(GR)

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.(GS) And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet(GT) of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll.(GU) Worship God!”(GV)

10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up(GW) the words of the prophecy of this scroll,(GX) because the time is near.(GY) 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”(GZ)

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

12 “Look, I am coming soon!(HA) My reward is with me,(HB) and I will give to each person according to what they have done.(HC) 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega,(HD) the First and the Last,(HE) the Beginning and the End.(HF)

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes,(HG) that they may have the right to the tree of life(HH) and may go through the gates(HI) into the city.(HJ) 15 Outside(HK) are the dogs,(HL) those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus,(HM) have sent my angel(HN) to give you[i] this testimony for the churches.(HO) I am the Root(HP) and the Offspring of David,(HQ) and the bright Morning Star.”(HR)

17 The Spirit(HS) and the bride(HT) say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.(HU)

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll:(HV) If anyone adds anything to them,(HW) God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.(HX) 19 And if anyone takes words away(HY) from this scroll of prophecy,(HZ) God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life(IA) and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

20 He who testifies to these things(IB) says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”(IC)

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.(ID)

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.(IE) Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 19:15 Psalm 2:9
  2. Revelation 20:4 Or God; I also saw those who
  3. Revelation 21:1 Isaiah 65:17
  4. Revelation 21:4 Isaiah 25:8
  5. Revelation 21:16 That is, about 1,400 miles or about 2,200 kilometers
  6. Revelation 21:17 That is, about 200 feet or about 65 meters
  7. Revelation 21:17 Or high
  8. Revelation 21:20 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.
  9. Revelation 22:16 The Greek is plural.
Listen to Revelation 19-22
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Revelation 19-22
King James Version

19 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

3 And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

20 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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