Revelation 4

1 After this [following these events, subsequently] I looked and saw a door [entrance, gateway] standing open [unlocked, accessible] in heaven [the spiritual realm, God’s dwelling place]. And the voice [sound, utterance] I had previously heard [known, familiar] speak to me like [resembling, similar to] a trumpet [a clarion call, a loud announcement] was saying, “Come up [ascend, rise] here [to this place, hither], and I will show [reveal, exhibit] you what must [is necessary, inevitable] happen [occur, come to pass] after [following, subsequent to] these things [events, circumstances].” word study 2 At once [immediately, without delay] I was in the Spirit [the divine breath, God’s presence], and I saw [perceived, beheld] a throne [seat of power, authority] standing [set, established] in heaven [the sky, God’s dwelling place], with someone [one, a person] seated [sitting, reigning] on it [the throne, the seat of power]. word study 3 The One [seated in majesty] seated there looked like [resembling, similar to] jasper [a precious gemstone] and carnelian [a precious gem, also called sardius], and a rainbow [a colorful sign, representing God’s promise] that gleamed [shone brightly] like an emerald [a green gemstone] encircled [surrounded, circled around] the throne [a seat of power and authority]. word study 4 Surrounding [around, encircling] the throne [seat of power, authority] were twenty-four [four and twenty] other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four [four and twenty] elders [respected leaders] dressed in white [pure], with golden [made of gold] crowns [symbols of honor] on their heads [the upper part of the body]. word study 5 From the throne [of God’s power and authority] came flashes of lightning [and thunderings], and rumblings [and voices], and peals of thunder [loud rumblings]. Before the throne [of judgment and rule] burned seven torches [lamps] of fire [flames]. These are the seven Spirits [breaths, the vital principle] of God [the one true deity, the supreme Creator]. word study 6 And before [in the presence of] the throne [seat of power] was something like [similar in appearance] a sea [large body of water] of glass [transparent], as clear [pure, like crystal] as crystal [clear, transparent rock]. In the center [midst], around [surrounding] the throne, were four living creatures [living beings], covered with eyes [full of vision] in front [before] and back. word study 7 The first [primarily, in the beginning] living creature [a being with life] was like [similar in appearance or character] a lion [a wild and powerful animal], the second like [resembling] a calf [a young bullock], the third had a face [a countenance] like [resembling] a man [a human being], and the fourth [last in the series] was like [comparable to] an eagle [a bird of prey] in flight [soaring through the air]. word study 8 And each of the four [a specific group of] living creatures [beings with life and vitality] had six [a complete number] wings and was covered with eyes all around [on every side] and within [from the inside out]. Day [a period of light] and night [a time of darkness] they never stop saying: “Holy [set apart and revered], Holy, Holy, is the Lord [the supreme Master] God [the one true Deity] Almighty [all-powerful and sovereign], who was [existed in the past] and is [exists in the present] and is to come [coming in the future]!” word study 9 And whenever [at any time, whensoever] the living creatures [beasts, animals] give glory [praise], honor [respect, dignity], and thanks [gratitude, thankfulness] to the One [Him, the Almighty] seated [sitting, enthroned] on the throne [the seat of power] who lives [exists, has life] forever [for all eternity, to the ages of the ages] and ever [continually, without end], word study 10 the twenty-four [four and twenty] elders fall down [prostrate themselves, collapse] before the One [Him who is seated] seated on the throne, and they worship [pay homage, reverence] Him who lives [exists, has life] forever and ever [for all eternity, to the ages of the ages]. They cast [throw down, lay aside] their crowns [wreaths, symbols of honor] before the throne, saying [declaring, speaking]: word study 11 “Worthy [deserving, having merit] are You, our Lord [Master, God] and God [the Supreme Deity], to receive [take, accept] glory [honor, praise] and honor [esteem, respect] and power [strength, authority], for You created [brought into existence, made] all things [the universe, everything]; by Your will [desire, pleasure] they exist [have being, are] and came to be [were created, brought forth].” word study