After I had seen and heard these things, a door opened into heaven. The same voice I had heard speaking to me before like a trumpet then said to me,
"Come up here! I will show you the things that must take place afterwards".
"Come up here! I will show you the things that must take place afterwards".
Instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw [the appearance of] One seated on a throne in heaven. The appearance of the One sitting on the throne was like jasper and carnelian stone, while an emerald rainbow circled the throne. Around the throne were twenty four thrones of elders. Twenty four elders sat upon them, wearing white robes and golden crowns of victory.
Flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne. Directly in front of the throne were seven blazing torches [as in a seven branched menorah] these [lights] were the seven spirits of God. Approaching the throne was something like a sea of glass, like clear crystal.
Adjacent to the the throne in each direction there were [joined as one] four living creatures, all of them having eyes in front and behind. Of the four living creatures, one was like a lion, another like an ox. A third had a face like that of Adam. And the fourth had the head of an eagle [appearing] as though it were in flight.
Each of the four living creatures had six wings [being able to move and carry the throne in every direction] and [individually and together] they possessed eyes to see in every direction. Day and night the four living creatures never cease to say, “Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot, asher haya v’hoveh v’yavo!" [Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Hosts, who was and who is and who is to come!”]
At those times when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One who sits upon the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty four elders bow down and worship the One who lives forever and ever.
They throw their crowns of victory down in front of the throne and say, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to [be the One recognized to] have [the] glory, honor, and power, [in salvation] because you created all things; they came into existence and were created because of your will."
