Revelation 4

1After this I looked, and there in front of me was a door standing open in heaven. The voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said: Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.

2At once the Spirit took hold of me. There before me was a throne in heaven, and the One seated on it blazed with breathtaking brilliance!

3He radiated dazzling light like sparkling diamond and fiery ruby. A luminous green emerald rainbow circled the throne like a halo!

4Around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on them sat twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.

5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and thunder. In front of the throne, seven torches were blazing. These are the seven Spirits of God.

6In front of the throne spread a vast sea of crystal-clear glass. Surrounding the throne stood four majestic living creatures. They had eyes covering their entire bodies, seeing in every direction!

7The first creature looked like a mighty lion. The second creature looked like a strong ox. The third creature had the intelligent face of a human. The fourth creature soared like a flying eagle!

8Each of the four creatures had six wings. Day and night without stopping, they constantly declare: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty! He was, He is, and He is coming!

9The living creatures continually offer glory, honor, and thanks to God. They praise the One seated on the throne who lives forever!

10Whenever they worship, the twenty-four elders fall face down before Him. They bow down and worship the One who lives forever and ever. They remove their golden crowns and cast them before His throne!

11They sing: You are worthy, our Lord and God! You deserve all glory, honor, and sovereign power! You created the entire universe and everything in it. By Your sovereign will, all things exist and were created!