Revelation 12-18

New International Version

The Woman and the Dragon

12 A great sign^(A) appeared in heaven:^(B) a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars^(C) on her head. ² She was pregnant and cried out in pain^(D) as she was about to give birth. ³ Then another sign appeared in heaven:^(E) an enormous red dragon^(F) with seven heads^(G) and ten horns^(H) and seven crowns^(I) on its heads. ⁴ Its tail swept a third^(J) of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth.^(K) The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child^(L) the moment he was born. ⁵ She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.”^[a](M) And her child was snatched up^(N) to God and to his throne. ⁶ The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.^(O)

⁷ Then war broke out in heaven. Michael^(P) and his angels fought against the dragon,^(Q) and the dragon and his angels^(R) fought back. ⁸ But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. ⁹ The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent^(S) called the devil,^(T) or Satan,^(U) who leads the whole world astray.^(V) He was hurled to the earth,^(W) and his angels with him.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven^(X) say:

¹³ When the dragon^(AH) saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.^{(AI) 14} The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle,^(AJ) so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time,^(AK) out of the serpent’s reach. ¹⁵ Then from his mouth the serpent^(AL) spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. ¹⁶ But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. ¹⁷ Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war^(AM) against the rest of her offspring^(AN)—those who keep God’s commands^(AO) and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.^(AP)

The Beast out of the Sea

13 The dragon^[b] stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea.^(AQ) It had ten horns and seven heads,^(AR) with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.^{(AS) 2} The beast I saw resembled a leopard,^(AT) but had feet like those of a bear^(AU) and a mouth like that of a lion.^(AV) The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.^{(AW) 3} One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.^(AX) The whole world was filled with wonder^(AY) and followed the beast. ⁴ People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like^(AZ) the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies^(BA) and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.^{(BB) 6} It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.^{(BC) 7} It was given power to wage war^(BD) against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.^{(BE) 8} All inhabitants of the earth^(BF) will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life,^(BG) the Lamb^(BH) who was slain from the creation of the world.^[c](BI)

⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.^(BJ)

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness^(BL) on the part of God’s people.^(BM)

The Beast out of the Earth

¹¹ Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth.^(BN) It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.^{(BO) 12} It exercised all the authority^(BP) of the first beast on its behalf,^(BQ) and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast,^(BR) whose fatal wound had been healed.^{(BS) 13} And it performed great signs,^(BT) even causing fire to come down from heaven^(BU) to the earth in full view of the people. ¹⁴ Because of the signs^(BV) it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived^(BW) the inhabitants of the earth.^(BX) It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.^{(BY) 15} The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship^(BZ) the image to be killed.^{(CA) 16} It also forced all people, great and small,^(CB) rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,^{(CC) 17} so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark,^(CD) which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.^(CE)

¹⁸ This calls for wisdom.^(CF) Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.^[f](CG) That number is 666.

The Lamb and the 144,000

14 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb,^(CH) standing on Mount Zion,^(CI) and with him 144,000^(CJ) who had his name and his Father’s name^(CK) written on their foreheads.^{(CL) 2} And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters^(CM) and like a loud peal of thunder.^(CN) The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.^{(CO) 3} And they sang a new song^(CP) before the throne and before the four living creatures^(CQ) and the elders.^(CR) No one could learn the song except the 144,000^(CS) who had been redeemed from the earth. ⁴ These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins.^(CT) They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.^(CU) They were purchased from among mankind^(CV) and offered as firstfruits^(CW) to God and the Lamb. ⁵ No lie was found in their mouths;^(CX) they are blameless.^(CY)

The Three Angels

⁶ Then I saw another angel flying in midair,^(CZ) and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth^(DA)—to every nation, tribe, language and people.^{(DB) 7} He said in a loud voice, “Fear God^(DC) and give him glory,^(DD) because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made^(DE) the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”^(DF)

⁸ A second angel followed and said, “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’^[g](DG) which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”^(DH)

⁹ A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast^(DI) and its image^(DJ) and receives its mark on their forehead^(DK) or on their hand, ¹⁰ they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury,^(DL) which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.^(DM) They will be tormented with burning sulfur^(DN) in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever.^(DO) There will be no rest day or night^(DP) for those who worship the beast and its image,^(DQ) or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”^{(DR) 12} This calls for patient endurance^(DS) on the part of the people of God^(DT) who keep his commands^(DU) and remain faithful to Jesus.

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord^(DV) from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit,^(DW) “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress

¹⁴ I looked, and there before me was a white cloud,^(DX) and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man^[h](DY) with a crown^(DZ) of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. ¹⁵ Then another angel came out of the temple^(EA) and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle^(EB) and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest^(EC) of the earth is ripe.” ¹⁶ So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

¹⁷ Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.^{(ED) 18} Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar^(EE) and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle^(EF) and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” ¹⁹ The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath.^{(EG) 20} They were trampled in the winepress^(EH) outside the city,^(EI) and blood^(EJ) flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.^[i]

Seven Angels With Seven Plagues

15 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign:^(EK) seven angels^(EL) with the seven last plagues^(EM)—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. ² And I saw what looked like a sea of glass^(EN) glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious^(EO) over the beast^(EP) and its image^(EQ) and over the number of its name.^(ER) They held harps^(ES) given them by God ³ and sang the song of God’s servant^(ET) Moses^(EU) and of the Lamb:^(EV)

⁵ After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple^(FD)—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law^(FE)—and it was opened.^{(FF) 6} Out of the temple^(FG) came the seven angels with the seven plagues.^(FH) They were dressed in clean, shining linen^(FI) and wore golden sashes around their chests.^{(FJ) 7} Then one of the four living creatures^(FK) gave to the seven angels^(FL) seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.^{(FM) 8} And the temple was filled with smoke^(FN) from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple^(FO) until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath

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

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

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.^(FV)

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

⁷ And I heard the altar^(GD) respond:

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

¹⁰ The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast,^(GM) and its kingdom was plunged into darkness.^(GN) People gnawed their tongues in agony ¹¹ and cursed^(GO) the God of heaven^(GP) because of their pains and their sores,^(GQ) but they refused to repent of what they had done.^(GR)

¹² The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates,^(GS) and its water was dried up to prepare the way^(GT) for the kings from the East.^{(GU) 13} Then I saw three impure spirits^(GV) that looked like frogs;^(GW) they came out of the mouth of the dragon,^(GX) out of the mouth of the beast^(GY) and out of the mouth of the false prophet.^{(GZ) 14} They are demonic spirits^(HA) that perform signs,^(HB) and they go out to the kings of the whole world,^(HC) to gather them for the battle^(HD) on the great day^(HE) of God Almighty.

¹⁶ Then they gathered the kings together^(HI) to the place that in Hebrew^(HJ) is called Armageddon.^(HK)

¹⁷ The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air,^(HL) and out of the temple^(HM) came a loud voice^(HN) from the throne, saying, “It is done!”^{(HO) 18} Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder^(HP) and a severe earthquake.^(HQ) No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth,^(HR) so tremendous was the quake. ¹⁹ The great city^(HS) split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered^(HT) Babylon the Great^(HU) and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.^{(HV) 20} Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.^{(HW) 21} From the sky huge hailstones,^(HX) each weighing about a hundred pounds,^[l] fell on people. And they cursed God^(HY) on account of the plague of hail,^(HZ) because the plague was so terrible.

Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast

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

³ Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit^(IG) into a wilderness.^(IH) There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet^(II) beast that was covered with blasphemous names^(IJ) and had seven heads and ten horns.^{(IK) 4} The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls.^(IL) She held a golden cup^(IM) in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.^{(IN) 5} The name written on her forehead was a mystery:^(IO)

⁶ I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people,^(IR) 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^(IS) of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.^{(IT) 8} The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss^(IU) and go to its destruction.^(IV) The inhabitants of the earth^(IW) whose names have not been written in the book of life^(IX) from the creation of the world will be astonished^(IY) when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

⁹ “This calls for a mind with wisdom.^(IZ) The seven heads^(JA) 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,^(JB) is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

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

¹⁵ Then the angel said to me, “The waters^(JJ) you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.^{(JK) 16} The beast and the ten horns^(JL) you saw will hate the prostitute.^(JM) They will bring her to ruin^(JN) and leave her naked;^(JO) they will eat her flesh^(JP) and burn her with fire.^{(JQ) 17} For God has put it into their hearts^(JR) to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority,^(JS) until God’s words are fulfilled.^{(JT) 18} The woman you saw is the great city^(JU) that rules over the kings of the earth.”

Lament Over Fallen Babylon

18 After this I saw another angel^(JV) coming down from heaven.^(JW) He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.^{(JX) 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^(KQ) and shared her luxury^(KR) see the smoke of her burning,^(KS) they will weep and mourn over her.^{(KT) 10} Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off^(KU) and cry:

¹¹ “The merchants^(KX) of the earth will weep and mourn^(KY) over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore^(KZ)— 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;^{(LA) 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.^(LB)

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^(LC) will stand far off,^(LD) terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn^{(LE) 16} and cry out:

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

The Finality of Babylon’s Doom

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