Revelation 16-21

New International Version

The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath

16 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple^(A) saying to the seven angels,^(B) “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”^(C)

² The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land,^(D) and ugly, festering sores^(E) broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.^(F)

³ The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.^(G)

⁴ The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water,^(H) and they became blood.^{(I) 5} Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:

⁷ And I heard the altar^(O) respond:

⁸ The fourth angel^(R) poured out his bowl on the sun,^(S) and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.^{(T) 9} They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God,^(U) who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent^(V) and glorify him.^(W)

¹⁰ The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast,^(X) and its kingdom was plunged into darkness.^(Y) People gnawed their tongues in agony ¹¹ and cursed^(Z) the God of heaven^(AA) because of their pains and their sores,^(AB) but they refused to repent of what they had done.^(AC)

¹² The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates,^(AD) and its water was dried up to prepare the way^(AE) for the kings from the East.^{(AF) 13} Then I saw three impure spirits^(AG) that looked like frogs;^(AH) they came out of the mouth of the dragon,^(AI) out of the mouth of the beast^(AJ) and out of the mouth of the false prophet.^{(AK) 14} They are demonic spirits^(AL) that perform signs,^(AM) and they go out to the kings of the whole world,^(AN) to gather them for the battle^(AO) on the great day^(AP) of God Almighty.

¹⁶ Then they gathered the kings together^(AT) to the place that in Hebrew^(AU) is called Armageddon.^(AV)

¹⁷ The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air,^(AW) and out of the temple^(AX) came a loud voice^(AY) from the throne, saying, “It is done!”^{(AZ) 18} Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder^(BA) and a severe earthquake.^(BB) No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth,^(BC) so tremendous was the quake. ¹⁹ The great city^(BD) split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered^(BE) Babylon the Great^(BF) and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.^{(BG) 20} Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.^{(BH) 21} From the sky huge hailstones,^(BI) each weighing about a hundred pounds,^[a] fell on people. And they cursed God^(BJ) on account of the plague of hail,^(BK) because the plague was so terrible.

Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast

17 One of the seven angels^(BL) who had the seven bowls^(BM) came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment^(BN) of the great prostitute,^(BO) who sits by many waters.^{(BP) 2} With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”^(BQ)

³ Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit^(BR) into a wilderness.^(BS) There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet^(BT) beast that was covered with blasphemous names^(BU) and had seven heads and ten horns.^{(BV) 4} The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls.^(BW) She held a golden cup^(BX) in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.^{(BY) 5} The name written on her forehead was a mystery:^(BZ)

⁶ I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people,^(CC) the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. ⁷ Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery^(CD) of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.^{(CE) 8} The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss^(CF) and go to its destruction.^(CG) The inhabitants of the earth^(CH) whose names have not been written in the book of life^(CI) from the creation of the world will be astonished^(CJ) when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

⁹ “This calls for a mind with wisdom.^(CK) The seven heads^(CL) are seven hills on which the woman sits. ¹⁰ They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. ¹¹ The beast who once was, and now is not,^(CM) is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

¹² “The ten horns^(CN) you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour^(CO) will receive authority as kings along with the beast. ¹³ They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.^{(CP) 14} They will wage war^(CQ) against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over^(CR) them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings^(CS)—and with him will be his called, chosen^(CT) and faithful followers.”

¹⁵ Then the angel said to me, “The waters^(CU) you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.^{(CV) 16} The beast and the ten horns^(CW) you saw will hate the prostitute.^(CX) They will bring her to ruin^(CY) and leave her naked;^(CZ) they will eat her flesh^(DA) and burn her with fire.^{(DB) 17} For God has put it into their hearts^(DC) to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority,^(DD) until God’s words are fulfilled.^{(DE) 18} The woman you saw is the great city^(DF) that rules over the kings of the earth.”

Lament Over Fallen Babylon

18 After this I saw another angel^(DG) coming down from heaven.^(DH) He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.^{(DI) 2} With a mighty voice he shouted:

Warning to Escape Babylon’s Judgment

⁴ Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

Threefold Woe Over Babylon’s Fall

⁹ “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her^(EB) and shared her luxury^(EC) see the smoke of her burning,^(ED) they will weep and mourn over her.^{(EE) 10} Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off^(EF) and cry:

¹¹ “The merchants^(EI) of the earth will weep and mourn^(EJ) over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore^(EK)— ¹² cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble;^{(EL) 13} cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.^(EM)

¹⁴ “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ ¹⁵ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her^(EN) will stand far off,^(EO) terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn^{(EP) 16} and cry out:

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea,^(EU) will stand far off.^{(EV) 18} When they see the smoke of her burning,^(EW) they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city^(EX)?’^{(EY) 19} They will throw dust on their heads,^(EZ) and with weeping and mourning^(FA) cry out:

The Finality of Babylon’s Doom

²¹ Then a mighty angel^(FF) picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea,^(FG) and said:

Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall

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

³ And again they shouted:

⁴ The twenty-four elders^(FY) and the four living creatures^(FZ) fell down^(GA) and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

⁵ Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

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

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

⁹ Then the angel said to me,^(GO) “Write this:^(GP) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”^(GQ) And he added, “These are the true words of God.”^(GR)

¹⁰ At this I fell at his feet to worship him.^(GS) 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!^(GT) For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”^(GU)

The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast

¹¹ I saw heaven standing open^(GV) and there before me was a white horse, whose rider^(GW) is called Faithful and True.^(GX) With justice he judges and wages war.^{(GY) 12} His eyes are like blazing fire,^(GZ) and on his head are many crowns.^(HA) He has a name written on him^(HB) that no one knows but he himself.^{(HC) 13} He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,^(HD) and his name is the Word of God.^{(HE) 14} The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen,^(HF) white^(HG) and clean. ¹⁵ Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword^(HH) with which to strike down^(HI) the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”^[e](HJ) He treads the winepress^(HK) of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:^(HL)

¹⁷ And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds^(HN) flying in midair,^(HO) “Come,^(HP) gather together for the great supper of God,^{(HQ) 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,^(HR) free and slave,^(HS) great and small.”^(HT)

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast^(HU) and the kings of the earth^(HV) and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse^(HW) and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet^(HX) who had performed the signs^(HY) on its behalf.^(HZ) With these signs he had deluded^(IA) those who had received the mark of the beast^(IB) and worshiped its image.^(IC) The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake^(ID) of burning sulfur.^{(IE) 21} The rest were killed with the sword^(IF) coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse,^(IG) and all the birds^(IH) gorged themselves on their flesh.

The Thousand Years

20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven,^(II) having the key^(IJ) to the Abyss^(IK) and holding in his hand a great chain. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan,^(IL) and bound him for a thousand years.^{(IM) 3} He threw him into the Abyss,^(IN) and locked and sealed^(IO) it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations^(IP) anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

⁴ I saw thrones^(IQ) on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.^(IR) And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded^(IS) because of their testimony about Jesus^(IT) and because of the word of God.^(IU) They^[f] had not worshiped the beast^(IV) or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.^(IW) They came to life and reigned^(IX) 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.^{(IY) 6} Blessed^(IZ) and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death^(JA) has no power over them, but they will be priests^(JB) of God and of Christ and will reign with him^(JC) for a thousand years.

The Judgment of Satan

⁷ When the thousand years are over,^(JD) Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations^(JE) in the four corners of the earth^(JF)—Gog and Magog^(JG)—and to gather them for battle.^(JH) In number they are like the sand on the seashore.^{(JI) 9} They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded^(JJ) the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.^(JK) But fire came down from heaven^(JL) and devoured them. ¹⁰ And the devil, who deceived them,^(JM) was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,^(JN) where the beast^(JO) and the false prophet^(JP) had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.^(JQ)

The Judgment of the Dead

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne^(JR) and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence,^(JS) and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small,^(JT) standing before the throne, and books were opened.^(JU) Another book was opened, which is the book of life.^(JV) The dead were judged^(JW) according to what they had done^(JX) as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades^(JY) gave up the dead^(JZ) that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.^{(KA) 14} Then death^(KB) and Hades^(KC) were thrown into the lake of fire.^(KD) The lake of fire is the second death.^{(KE) 15} Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life^(KF) 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,”^[g](KG) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,^(KH) and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City,^(KI) the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,^(KJ) prepared as a bride^(KK) 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.^(KL) They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.^{(KM) 4} ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.^(KN) There will be no more death’^[h](KO) or mourning or crying or pain,^(KP) for the old order of things has passed away.”^(KQ)

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

⁶ He said to me: “It is done.^(KU) I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(KV) the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost^(KW) from the spring of the water of life.^{(KX) 7} Those who are victorious^(KY) will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.^{(KZ) 8} But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars^(LA)—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.^(LB) This is the second death.”^(LC)

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^(LD) came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride,^(LE) the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰ And he carried me away^(LF) in the Spirit^(LG) to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.^{(LH) 11} It shone with the glory of God,^(LI) and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper,^(LJ) clear as crystal.^{(LK) 12} It had a great, high wall with twelve gates,^(LL) and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.^{(LM) 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,^(LN) and on them were the names of the twelve apostles^(LO) of the Lamb.

¹⁵ The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod^(LP) of gold to measure the city, its gates^(LQ) 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^[i] in length, and as wide and high as it is long. ¹⁷ The angel measured the wall using human^(LR) measurement, and it was 144 cubits^[j] thick.^{[k] 18} The wall was made of jasper,^(LS) and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.^{(LT) 19} The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.^(LU) The first foundation was jasper,^(LV) the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby,^(LW) the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.^{[l] 21} The twelve gates^(LX) were twelve pearls,^(LY) each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.^(LZ)

²² I did not see a temple^(MA) in the city, because the Lord God Almighty^(MB) and the Lamb^(MC) are its temple. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God^(MD) gives it light,^(ME) and the Lamb^(MF) is its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.^{(MG) 25} On no day will its gates^(MH) ever be shut,^(MI) for there will be no night there.^{(MJ) 26} The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.^{(MK) 27} Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,^(ML) but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.^(MM)