1In the right hand of the one who sat on the throne, I saw a scroll written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals. 2Then I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” 3But no one in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, was able to open the scroll or to look in it. 4And so I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look in it. 5One of the presbyters said to me:
“Do not weep! Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals.”
6I saw in the center of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the presbyters, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. He had seven horns and seven eyes,2467 which are the seven Spirits2468 of God sent out into all the earth. 7Then the Lamb2469 came and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. 8When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four presbyters fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp and golden bowls full of incense,2470 which are the prayers of the saints. 9They sang a new song, saying:
You are worthy to take the book,
and to open its seals:
because you were slain,
and redeemed2471 us2472 for God with your blood,
out of every tribe, language, people, and nation.
10You have made them2473 kings and priests to our God,
and they will reign on2474 the earth.
11I saw and I heard something like the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the presbyters. The number of those speaking was ten thousands2475 of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands. 12They were saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”
13I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion,
unto ages of ages!”
14The four living creatures said, “Amen!”, and the presbyters fell down and expressed adoration.24762477
The first six seals—The four horses2478
- Compare Zechariah 4:10
- Or “spirits”
- Greek “he”
- This indicates that the word presbyter was associated with a priestly office.
- Or “bought/purchased/ransomed”
- Some manuscripts read “people” instead of “us”
- TR reads “you have made us” and “we will reign”
- Or “over”
- Or “myriads”
- proskuneo can also be translated “worship (in the broad sense),” “venerate,” “fall down in reverence,” “do obeisance” (see NT introduction regarding proskuneo)
- TR adds “to the one living unto ages of ages”
- Compare Zachariah 1
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
