The vision of the throne of God, the twenty-four ancients and the four
living creatures.
4:1. After these things I looked, and behold a door was opened in
heaven, and the first voice which I heard, as it were, of a trumpet
speaking with me, said: Come up hither, and I will shew thee the things
which must be done hereafter.
4:2. And immediately I was in the spirit. And behold, there was a
throne set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting.
4:3. And he that sat was to the sight like the jasper and the sardine
stone. And there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like
unto an emerald.
4:4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon
the seats, four and twenty ancients sitting, clothed in white garments.
And on their heads were crowns of gold.
4:5. And from the throne proceeded lightnings and voices and thunders.
And there were seven lamps burning before the throne, which are the
seven spirits of God.
4:6. And in the sight of the throne was, as it were, a sea of glass
like to crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the
throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind.
4:7. And the first living creature was like a lion: and the second
living creature like a calf: and the third living creature, having the
face, as it were, of a man: and the fourth living creature was like an
eagle flying.
4:8. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings: and
round about and within they are full of eyes. And they rested not day
and night, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and who
is and who is to come.
4:9. And when those living creatures gave glory and honour and
benediction to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth for ever and
ever:
4:10. The four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sitteth on
the throne and adored him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their
crowns before the throne, saying:
4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and
power. Because thou hast created all things: and for thy will they were
and have been created.