Font Size
Revelation 4-6
New American Standard Bible
Revelation 4-6
New American Standard Bible
Scene in Heaven
4 After (A)these things I looked, and behold, (B)a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, (C)like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “(D)Come up here, and I will (E)show you what must take place after these things.” 2 Immediately I was (F)in the [a]Spirit; and behold, (G)a throne was standing in heaven, and (H)someone was sitting on the throne. 3 And He who was sitting was like a (I)jasper stone and a (J)sardius in appearance; and there was a [b](K)rainbow around the throne, like an (L)emerald in appearance. 4 (M)Around the throne were (N)twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw (O)twenty-four elders (P)sitting, clothed in (Q)white garments, and (R)golden crowns on their heads.
The Throne and Worship of the Creator
5 Out from the throne *came (S)flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were (T)seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are [c](U)the seven spirits of God; 6 and before the throne there was something like a (V)sea of glass, like crystal; and in the [d]center and (W)around the throne, (X)four living creatures (Y)full of eyes in front and behind. 7 (Z)The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the (AA)four living creatures, each one of them having (AB)six wings, are (AC)full of eyes around and within; and (AD)day and night [e]they do not cease to say,
“(AE)Holy, holy, holy is the (AF)Lord God, the Almighty, (AG)who was and who is and who [f]is to come.”
9 And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who (AH)sits on the throne, to (AI)Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the (AJ)twenty-four elders will (AK)fall down before Him who (AL)sits on the throne, and they will worship (AM)Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their (AN)crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “(AO)Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You (AP)created all things, and because of Your will they [g]existed, and were created.”
The Scroll with Seven Seals
5 I saw [h]in the right hand of Him who (AQ)sat on the throne a [i](AR)scroll written inside and on the back, (AS)sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a (AT)strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” 3 And no one (AU)in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the (AV)Lion that is (AW)from the tribe of Judah, the (AX)Root of David, has overcome so as to be able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 And I saw [j]between the throne (with the four living creatures) and (AY)the elders a (AZ)Lamb standing, as if (BA)slaughtered, having seven (BB)horns and (BC)seven eyes, which are [k](BD)the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took (BE)the scroll out of the right hand of Him who (BF)sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the scroll, the (BG)four living creatures and the (BH)twenty-four elders (BI)fell down before the (BJ)Lamb, each one holding a (BK)harp and (BL)golden bowls full of incense, which are the (BM)prayers of the [l]saints. 9 And they *sang a (BN)new song, saying,
“(BO)Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were (BP)slaughtered, and You (BQ)purchased people for God with Your blood from (BR)every tribe, language, people, and nation.
10 You have made them into a (BS)kingdom and (BT)priests to our God, and they will (BU)reign upon the earth.”
Angels Exalt the Lamb
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels (BV)around the throne and the (BW)living creatures and the (BX)elders; and the number of them was [m](BY)myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“(BZ)Worthy is the (CA)Lamb that was (CB)slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.”
13 And I heard (CC)every created thing which is in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, or on the sea, and all the things in them, saying,
“To Him who (CD)sits on the throne and to the (CE)Lamb (CF)be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion forever and ever.”
14 And the (CG)four living creatures were saying, “(CH)Amen.” And the (CI)elders (CJ)fell down and worshiped.
The First Seal: Conqueror on a White Horse
6 Then I saw when the (CK)Lamb broke one of the (CL)seven seals, and I heard one of the (CM)four living creatures saying as with a (CN)voice of thunder, “Come[n]!” 2 I looked, and behold, a (CO)white horse, and the one who sat on it had a bow; and (CP)a crown was given to him, and he went out (CQ)conquering and to conquer.
The Second Seal: War
3 When He broke the second seal, I heard the (CR)second living creature saying, “Come[o]!” 4 And another, (CS)a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to (CT)take peace from the earth, and that people would kill one another; and a large sword was given to him.
The Third Seal: Famine
5 When He broke the third seal, I heard the (CU)third living creature saying, “Come[p]!” I looked, and behold, a (CV)black horse, and the one who sat on it had a (CW)pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard something like a voice in the center of the (CX)four living creatures saying, “A [q]quart of wheat for a [r]denarius, and three [s]quarts of barley for a [t]denarius; and (CY)do not damage the oil and the wine.”
The Fourth Seal: Death
7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the (CZ)fourth living creature saying, “Come[u]!” 8 I looked, and behold, [v]an (DA)ashen horse; and the one who sat on it had the name (DB)Death, and (DC)Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, (DD)to kill with sword, and famine, and [w]plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.
The Fifth Seal: Martyrs
9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw (DE)underneath the (DF)altar the (DG)souls of those who had been killed (DH)because of the word of God, and because of the (DI)testimony which they had maintained; 10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “(DJ)How long, O [x](DK)Lord, (DL)holy and true, [y]will You refrain from (DM)judging and avenging our blood on (DN)those who live on the earth?” 11 And a (DO)white robe was given to each of them; and they were told that they were to (DP)rest for a little while longer, (DQ)until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters who were to be killed even as they had been, was (DR)completed also.
The Sixth Seal: Terror
12 And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great (DS)earthquake; and the (DT)sun became as black as (DU)sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and (DV)the stars of the sky fell to the earth, (DW)as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 (DX)The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and (DY)every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then (DZ)the kings of the earth and the eminent people, and the commanders and the wealthy and the strong, and every slave and free person hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they *(EA)said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the [z]sight of Him (EB)who sits on the throne, and from the (EC)wrath of the Lamb; 17 for (ED)the great day of Their wrath has come, and (EE)who is able to stand?”
Footnotes
- Revelation 4:2 Or spirit
- Revelation 4:3 Or halo
- Revelation 4:5 Possibly a symbolic reference to the Holy Spirit in His fullness, or to seven key angels
- Revelation 4:6 Lit middle of the throne and around
- Revelation 4:8 Lit they have no rest, saying,
- Revelation 4:8 Or is coming
- Revelation 4:11 Lit were
- Revelation 5:1 Lit upon
- Revelation 5:1 Or book, and so throughout the ch
- Revelation 5:6 Lit in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders
- Revelation 5:6 Possibly a symbolic reference to the Holy Spirit in His fullness, or to seven key angels
- Revelation 5:8 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Revelation 5:11 Gr for 10,000s of 10,000s
- Revelation 6:1 One early ms and see
- Revelation 6:3 One early ms and see
- Revelation 6:5 One early ms and see
- Revelation 6:6 Gr choenix; i.e., a dry measure almost equal to a qt.
- Revelation 6:6 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer
- Revelation 6:6 Gr choenix; i.e., a dry measure almost equal to a qt.
- Revelation 6:6 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer
- Revelation 6:7 One early ms and see
- Revelation 6:8 Or a sickly pale green
- Revelation 6:8 Lit death; i.e., a particular kind of death
- Revelation 6:10 Or Master
- Revelation 6:10 Lit do You not judge and avenge
- Revelation 6:16 Lit face
Revelation 4-6
New International Version
Revelation 4-6
New International Version
The Throne in Heaven
4 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open(A) in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet(B) said, “Come up here,(C) and I will show you what must take place after this.”(D) 2 At once I was in the Spirit,(E) and there before me was a throne in heaven(F) with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper(G) and ruby.(H) A rainbow(I) that shone like an emerald(J) encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders.(K) They were dressed in white(L) and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.(M) In front of the throne, seven lamps(N) were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a](O) of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass,(P) clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures,(Q) and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.(R) 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.(S) 8 Each of the four living creatures(T) had six wings(U) and was covered with eyes all around,(V) even under its wings. Day and night(W) they never stop saying:
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne(Z) and who lives for ever and ever,(AA) 10 the twenty-four elders(AB) fall down before him(AC) who sits on the throne(AD) and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,(AE)
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”(AF)
The Scroll and the Lamb
5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne(AG) a scroll with writing on both sides(AH) and sealed(AI) with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel(AJ) proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion(AK) of the tribe of Judah,(AL) the Root of David,(AM) has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb,(AN) looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures(AO) and the elders.(AP) The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes,(AQ) which are the seven spirits[c](AR) of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.(AS) 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures(AT) and the twenty-four elders(AU) fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp(AV) and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers(AW) of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:(AX)
“You are worthy(AY) to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood(AZ) you purchased(BA) for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.(BB)
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests(BC) to serve our God,
and they will reign[d] on the earth.”(BD)
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.(BE) They encircled the throne and the living creatures(BF) and the elders.(BG) 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb,(BH) who was slain,(BI)
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”(BJ)
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth(BK) and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne(BL) and to the Lamb(BM)
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”(BN)
14 The four living creatures(BO) said, “Amen,”(BP) and the elders(BQ) fell down and worshiped.(BR)
The Seals
6 I watched as the Lamb(BS) opened the first of the seven seals.(BT) Then I heard one of the four living creatures(BU) say in a voice like thunder,(BV) “Come!” 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse!(BW) Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown,(BX) and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.(BY)
3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature(BZ) say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one.(CA) Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth(CB) and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.
5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature(CC) say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse!(CD) Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures,(CE) saying, “Two pounds[e] of wheat for a day’s wages,[f] and six pounds[g] of barley for a day’s wages,[h](CF) and do not damage(CG) the oil and the wine!”
7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature(CH) say, “Come!” 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse!(CI) Its rider was named Death, and Hades(CJ) was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.(CK)
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under(CL) the altar(CM) the souls of those who had been slain(CN) because of the word of God(CO) and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long,(CP) Sovereign Lord,(CQ) holy and true,(CR) until you judge the inhabitants of the earth(CS) and avenge our blood?”(CT) 11 Then each of them was given a white robe,(CU) and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,[i] were killed just as they had been.(CV)
12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake.(CW) The sun turned black(CX) like sackcloth(CY) made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth,(CZ) as figs drop from a fig tree(DA) when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up,(DB) and every mountain and island was removed from its place.(DC)
15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free,(DD) hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.(DE) 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us(DF) and hide us[j] from the face of him who sits on the throne(DG) and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day(DH) of their[k] wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”(DI)
Footnotes
- Revelation 4:5 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
- Revelation 4:8 Isaiah 6:3
- Revelation 5:6 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
- Revelation 5:10 Some manuscripts they reign
- Revelation 6:6 Or about 1 kilogram
- Revelation 6:6 Greek a denarius
- Revelation 6:6 Or about 3 kilograms
- Revelation 6:6 Greek a denarius
- Revelation 6:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 12:10; 19:10.
- Revelation 6:16 See Hosea 10:8.
- Revelation 6:17 Some manuscripts his
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.