They were singing a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

So I threw myself down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “Do not do this! I am only a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony about Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Then he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy contained in this book, because the time is near.

and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind.

Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour, day, month, and year were set free to kill a third of humanity.

because they poured out the blood of your saints and prophets, so you have given them blood to drink. They got what they deserved!”

Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying directly overhead, proclaiming with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth because of the remaining sounds of the trumpets of the three angels who are about to blow them!”

Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.

Then I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain.

The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’

Then I heard every creature – in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them – singing: “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever!”

Each of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached of both their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.

And another horse, fiery red, came out, and the one who rode it was granted permission to take peace from the earth, so that people would butcher one another, and he was given a huge sword.

I will grant the one who conquers permission to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

with these words: “We give you thanks, Lord God, the All-Powerful, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and begun to reign.

This requires the steadfast endurance of the saints – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to their faith in Jesus.

Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered; thus he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits according to human measurement, which is also the angel’s.

all of whom were singing in a loud voice: “Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!”

‘I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false.