Revelation16-18 NWT(2013 Edition)

 

• Seven bowls of God’s anger (1-21)
  
  • Poured out on the earth (2), the sea (3), the rivers and springs (4-7), the sun (8, 9), the throne of the wild beast (10, 11), the Euphrates (12-16), and the air (17-21)
  • God’s war at Armageddon (14, 16)

16 And I heard a loud voice out of the sanctuary+ say to the seven angels: “Go and pour out the seven bowls of the anger of God on the earth.”+² The first one went off and poured out his bowl on the earth.+ And a hurtful and malignant ulcer+ afflicted the people who had the mark of the wild beast+ and who were worshipping its image.+³ The second one poured out his bowl into the sea.+ And it became blood+ like that of a dead man, and every living creature* died, yes, the things in the sea.+⁴ The third one poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs* of water.+ And they became blood.+⁵ I heard the angel over the waters say: “You, the One who is and who was,+ the loyal One,+ are righteous, for you have issued these judgments,+⁶ because they poured out the blood of holy ones and of prophets,+ and you have given them blood to drink;+ they deserve it.”+⁷ And I heard the altar say: “Yes, Jehovah* God, the Almighty,+ true and righteous are your judgments.”*+⁸ The fourth one poured out his bowl on the sun,+ and to the sun it was granted to scorch the people with fire.⁹ And the people were scorched by the great heat, but they blasphemed the name of God, who has the authority over these plagues, and they did not repent and give glory to him.¹⁰ The fifth one poured out his bowl on the throne of the wild beast. And its kingdom became darkened,+ and they began to gnaw their tongues because of their pain,¹¹ but they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their ulcers, and they did not repent of their works.¹² The sixth one poured out his bowl on the great river Eu·phra′tes,+ and its water was dried up+ to prepare the way for the kings+ from the rising of the sun.*¹³ And I saw three unclean inspired expressions* that looked like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon+ and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.¹⁴ They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and they perform signs,+ and they go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war+ of the great day of God the Almighty.+¹⁵ “Look! I am coming as a thief.+ Happy is the one who stays awake+ and keeps his outer garments, so that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness.”+¹⁶ And they gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Armageddon.*+¹⁷ The seventh one poured out his bowl on the air. At this a loud voice came out of the sanctuary+ from the throne, saying: “It has come to pass!”¹⁸ And there were flashes of lightning and voices and thunders, and there was a great earthquake unlike any that had occurred since men came to be on the earth,+ so extensive and so great was the earthquake.¹⁹ The great city+ split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell; and Babylon the Great+ was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath.+²⁰ Also, every island fled, and mountains were not found.+²¹ Then great hailstones, each about the weight of a talent,* fell from heaven on the people,+ and the people blasphemed God because of the plague of hail,+ for the plague was unusually great.

 

17 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls+ came and said to me: “Come, I will show you the judgment on the great prostitute who sits on many waters,+² with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality,*+ and earth’s inhabitants were made drunk with the wine of her sexual immorality.”*+³ And he carried me away in the power of the spirit into a wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored wild beast that was full of blasphemous names and that had seven heads and ten horns.⁴ The woman was clothed in purple+ and scarlet, and she was adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,+ and she had in her hand a golden cup that was full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her sexual immorality.*⁵ On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: “Babylon the Great, the mother of the prostitutes+ and of the disgusting things of the earth.”+⁶ And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.+Well, on seeing her I was greatly amazed.⁷ So the angel said to me: “Why is it that you were amazed? I will tell you the mystery of the woman+ and of the wild beast that is carrying her and that has the seven heads and the ten horns:+⁸ The wild beast that you saw was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss,+ and it is to go off into destruction. And the inhabitants of the earth—those whose names have not been written in the scroll of life+ from the founding of the world—will be amazed when they see how the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present.⁹ “This calls for a mind* that has wisdom: The seven heads+ mean seven mountains, where the woman sits on top.¹⁰ And there are seven kings: Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet arrived; but when he does arrive, he must remain a short while.¹¹ And the wild beast that was but is not,+ it is also an eighth king, but it springs from the seven, and it goes off into destruction.¹² “The ten horns that you saw mean ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they do receive authority as kings for one hour with the wild beast.¹³ These have one thought, so they give their power and authority to the wild beast.¹⁴ These will battle with the Lamb,+ but because he is Lord of lords and King of kings,+ the Lamb will conquer them.+ Also, those with him who are called and chosen and faithful will do so.”+¹⁵ He said to me: “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.*+¹⁶ And the ten horns+ that you saw and the wild beast,+ these will hate the prostitute+ and will make her devastated and naked, and they will eat up her flesh and completely burn her with fire.+¹⁷ For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought,+ yes, to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast,+ until the words of God will have been accomplished.¹⁸ And the woman+ whom you saw means the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.”

 

18 After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory.² And he cried out with a strong voice, saying: “She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen,+ and she has become a dwelling place of demons and a place where every unclean spirit* and every unclean and hated bird lurks!+³ For because of the wine of the passion* of her sexual immorality,* all the nations have fallen victim,+ and the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her,+ and the merchants* of the earth became rich owing to the power of her shameless luxury.”⁴ And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people,+ if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.+⁵ For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven,+ and God has called her acts of injustice* to mind.+⁶ Repay her in the way she treated others,+ yes, pay her back double for the things she has done;+ in the cup+ she has mixed, mix a double portion for her.+⁷ To the extent that she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury, to that extent give her torment and mourning. For she keeps saying in her heart: ‘I sit as queen, and I am not a widow, and I will never see mourning.’+⁸ That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire,+ because Jehovah* God, who judged her, is strong.+⁹ “And the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality* with her and lived with her in shameless luxury will weep and beat themselves in grief over her when they see the smoke from her burning.¹⁰ They will stand at a distance because of their fear of her torment and say: ‘Too bad, too bad, you great city,+ Babylon you strong city, because in one hour your judgment has arrived!’¹¹ “Also, the merchants of the earth are weeping and mourning over her, because there is no one to buy their full cargo anymore,¹² a full cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, and scarlet cloth; and everything made from scented wood; and every sort of object made from ivory, and from precious wood, copper, iron, and marble;¹³ also cinnamon, Indian spice, incense, perfumed oil, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, carriages, slaves, and human lives.*¹⁴ Yes, the fine fruit that you* desired has left you, and all the delicacies and the splendid things have vanished from you, never to be found again.¹⁵ “The merchants who sold these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of their fear of her torment and will weep and mourn,¹⁶ saying: ‘Too bad, too bad, the great city, clothed with fine linen, purple, and scarlet and richly adorned with gold ornaments, precious stones, and pearls,+¹⁷ because in one hour such great riches have been devastated!’“And every ship captain and every seafaring person and sailors and all those who make a living by the sea stood at a distance¹⁸ and cried out as they looked at the smoke from her burning and said: ‘What city is like the great city?’¹⁹ They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and mourning, and said: ‘Too bad, too bad, the great city, in which all those who had ships at sea became rich from her wealth, because in one hour she has been devastated!’+²⁰ “Be glad over her, O heaven,+ also you holy ones+ and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced his judgment on her in your behalf!”+²¹ And a strong angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone and hurled it into the sea, saying: “Thus with a swift pitch will Babylon the great city be hurled down, and she will never be found again.+²² And the sound of singers who accompany themselves on the harp, of musicians, of flutists, and of trumpeters will never be heard in you again. And no craftsman who practices any trade will ever be found in you again, and no sound of a millstone will ever be heard in you again.²³ No light of a lamp will ever shine in you again, and no voice of a bridegroom and of a bride will ever be heard in you again; for your merchants were the top-ranking men of the earth, and by your spiritistic practices+ all the nations were misled.²⁴ Yes, in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones+ and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.”+

Some other reasons to just say no to porn.

Is there partiality with God?The bible's answer.

THE WATCHTOWER JUNE 2014

APPEARED IN

What Hope for My Ancestors  SOME time ago, an intriguing headline appeared in The Chosun Ilbo, a Korean newspaper. It asked: “‘Wonderful Shim Cheong,’ Who Knew Nothing About Jesus—Did She Go to Hell?”

The headline was provocative because Shim Cheong is a beloved young woman in a Korean folktale who sacrifices her life to help her blind father. Over the years, much praise has been accorded her. In fact, in Korea, Shim Cheong has come to be regarded as the model of a devoted daughter.

To many, the idea that such a person would be punished in hellfire just because she was not a baptized Christian seemed unfair, even offensive. After all, the story was supposed to have taken place long before the message about the Christ was introduced in her village.

The article included an interview with a clergyman. He was asked if those who died without having an opportunity to learn about Jesus had all been condemned to hellfire. The answer? “We do not know. We just assume that there must be a way of Divine Providence [for such people].”

A REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION

The New Catholic Encyclopedia states: “Baptism is necessary for salvation. As Christ himself said, unless one is born again of water and the Holy Spirit, one cannot enter the Kingdom of God (Jn 3.5).” Because of this, some believe that those who died unbaptized are thrown into hellfire or suffer in some other way after death.

There are many others, however, who consider such a belief absurd. Millions of people have died in ignorance of the Bible. Do they deserve eternal torment? What does the Bible say on the matter?

HOPE PROMISED IN THE BIBLE

The Bible clearly shows that God does not disregard people who lived without knowledge of his requirements. Acts 17:30 assures us: “God has overlooked the times of such ignorance.” What hope, then, does the Bible hold out for those who died without having an opportunity to learn about God?

What is the meaning of Jesus’ promise: “You will be with me in Paradise”?

The answer can be found in what Jesus told one of the criminals who died alongside him. The man said to Jesus: “Remember me when you get into your Kingdom.” What was Jesus’ reply? “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.”—Luke 23:39-43.

Was Jesus promising that the man would enter into heaven? No. The man had not been “born again” from water and spirit, which was a prerequisite for entering the Kingdom of the heavens. (John 3:3-6) Rather, Jesus was promising that the criminal would live again, in Paradise. Being a Jew, the man was likely familiar with the earthly Paradise—the garden of Eden—described in the first book of the Bible. (Genesis 2:8) Jesus’ promise gave him the assured hope of a resurrection to Paradise when it is reestablished on earth.

In fact, the Bible promises “a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) “The unrighteous” are those who did not meet God’s righteous standards because they were ignorant of God’s will. Jesus will resurrect the unrighteous criminal who spoke with him, as well as millions, perhaps billions, of others who died in ignorance. Then, in the Paradise earth, they will be taught God’s requirements, and they will have the opportunity to prove that they love God by obeying his commandments.

 WHEN THE UNRIGHTEOUS ARE RESURRECTED

When the unrighteous are resurrected, will they be judged on the basis of their past actions? No. Romans 6:7 states: “The one who has died has been acquitted from his sin.” The unrighteous will have paid for their sins by dying. Thus, they will be judged on the basis of what they do after their resurrection, not what they did in ignorance before they died. How will they benefit?

After resurrection, the unrighteous will have opportunity to learn God’s laws, which will be revealed when symbolic scrolls are opened. They will then be judged “according to their deeds,” that is, whether they obey God’s laws or not. (Revelation 20:12, 13) For many of the unrighteous, this will be, not a second chance, but their first real opportunity to gain eternal life on earth by learning and doing God’s will.

This Bible teaching has helped many to regain their faith in God. Yeong Sug was one of them. She was raised as a devout Catholic. Members of her family were priests. Hoping to be a nun, she joined a convent. Later, she left because she was disappointed by what she saw going on there. What is more, she could not accept the doctrine of hellfire because she felt that to torture people in a fiery hell would be neither just nor loving.

Then, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses showed Yeong Sug these words from the Bible: “The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) The Witness helped her to realize that her ancestors are not being tormented in hellfire. Rather, they are asleep in death, awaiting a resurrection.

Knowing that many people have never heard the truth from the Bible, Yeong Sug took to heart Jesus’ words found at Matthew 24:14: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” She now participates in preaching the good news and sharing her wonderful Bible-based hope with others.

“GOD IS NOT PARTIAL”

“God is not partial,” the Bible tells us, “but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34, 35) This is the perfect justice that all of us can expect of God, who “loves righteousness and justice.”—Psalm 33:5.

Rumours of War II

What would Darwin do?

Is Jesus really the Firstborn of creation?Pros and cons.

Wes Williams and Rob Bowman discussion concerning Prwtotokos:

Rob Bowman and the Lexical Meaning of PRWTOTOKOS

Rob Bowman wrote in response to my earlier post:

: You wrote:

: >>>Another point to note is that the firstborn of a person means the firstborn of the "sons of" that person.>>>

: But in the LXX, "the firstborn of so-and-so" means that the person or animal called the firstborn is actually produced or fathered by so-and-so. For example:

: >>>LXX Genesis 25:13 And these are the names of the sons of Ismael, according to the names of their generations. The firstborn of Ismael, Nabaioth, and Kedar, and Nabdeel, and Massam,>>>

: NOTE: The firstborn of Ishmael is fathered by Ishmael.

: >>>LXX Exodus 11:5 And every first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharao that sits on the throne, even to the < b>first-born of the woman-servant

that is by the mill, and to the first-born of all cattle.>>>

: NOTE: the firstborn of Pharaoh is fathered by Pharaoh; the firstborn of the woman-servant was produced from her; the firstborn of all cattle were produced from cattle.

: Virtually all of the rest of your listed verses are similar.

: Now, what relevance does this have to Colossians 1:15 (which is the point, I assume)? None that I can see, since neither you nor we believe that the Son was fathered or produced by "all creation" or by any part of creation.

: This would seem to mean that the usual literal use of the partitive genitive with PROTOTOKOS in the LXX is irrelevant to Colossians 1:15.

: --Rob Bowman

Dear Rob Bowman,

Much of what you say is correct about the expression "firstborn of [a name]" and I you will find me in agreement with you on a pragmatic plane of understanding (the field of linguistics dealing with sense). For those following this discussion, please allow me to share how we each reached our varied understandings and what the issues are. At first my explanation may appear tedious, but it is important to carefully follow to understand HOW and WHY we disagree. Once these are understood, the issue and answer becomes clear.

The Meaning of Firstborn - The Issue

The central issue here is that Rob is arguing that the way a word is used changes its basic core meaning. I argue firmly that it does not except in figurative language. What follows is a summary discussion of word meaning and word usage with the word "firstborn."
When Rob read the LXX expression:

"the firstborn of Ismael" (Gen 25:13)

Rob made a leap of understanding (but he was correct) that "firstborn" here is a son that was parented by Ishmael. We read Rob's leap of logic when he argues, "NOTE: The firstborn of Ishmael is fathered by Ishmael."

Rob made his leap from "firstborn of Ishmael" to "fathered by Ishmael" by a plane of understanding known in linguistics as "pragmatics." What process did Rob go through to make this leap of understanding?

Pragmatics

Rob, as we all do, possesses a certain knowledge of the world around us. Rob read the expression "the firstborn of Ismael" and with his knowledge of the world, Rob knows that the "firstborn" is also a son in this context. So, Rob asks mentally: In the expression

"the son of Ismael"

What is the relationship between a son and Ismael? He answers: The relationship is that of fathering, parenting, and he thus correctly concludes, and I agree with him:

"NOTE: The firstborn of Ishmael is fathered by Ishmael."

Rob notes that the relationship between "creation" and "firstborn" is different than "[a name] and "firstborn." Is he correct? Yes.

However, his conclusion

"This would seem to mean that the usual literal use of the partitive genitive with PROTOTOKOS in the LXX is irrelevant to Colossians 1:15."

is flawed because he did not consider of another important plane of understanding. The plane of understanding from which I argued.

Lexical Semantics

In addition to our own knowledge of the world (Rob's leap above), words themselves carry force. In other words, the word "firstborn" (Greek: PRWTOTOKOS) MEANS something. The LEXICAL and biblical meaning of the word "firstborn" requires a comparison with something else. A comparison with what? A comparison with others who come later in time. The very meaning of the Hebrew BaQaR (verbal form of "firstborn") is "to be born first."

Therefore, LEXICALLY, the phrase "firstborn of" requires:

(1) temporal priority over others in a given group and

(2) that the firstborn is A MEMBER of the very group that he preceeds in time

To illustrate, there is a lexical difference between the expressions:

Ruben, the son of Jacob and

Ruben, the FIRSTBORN of Jacob.

On a pragmatic level (what makes sense to us), they both express that Jacob parented Reuben.

However, on a LEXICAL level, the latter requires that Reuben's birth PRECEED in TIME any other sons Jacob had or may have AND that Rueben is himself one of the sons of Jacob!

Therefore, the very word "firstborn" REQUIRES, LEXICALLY, (1) a temporal comparison with others of Jacob's sons AND (2) that "firstborn" is himself ONE of JACOB'S SONS! The lexical force of the word phrase "firstborn of" is UNCHANGED by pragmatics, i.e. our understanding of how the firstborn relates to the object of the preposition (e.g. "Jacob" or "creation"). Thus, "firstborn of all creation" still requires that the firstborn has temporally priority over the rest of creation AND that the firstborn himself is a member of "creation." This is true even though the nature of the noun changes in "the firstborn of [noun]." The only time this is not true is in the case of figurative language.

This is specifically the piece of information that Rob Bowman did not deal with, and is precisely the reason why his conclusion is in error.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we agree with Bowman's observations that, speaking pragmatically, the firstborn of [a name] also descends from [a name]. However, we point out that Rob Bowman's conclusion is in error because he assumes that the LEXICAL requirement of the phrase "firstborn of" can be removed by "an understanding of the world" (pragmatics). These lexical requirements are:

(1) temporal priority over others who ALSO descended from [a name]" and
(2) that the firstborn is a member of the very group that he preceeds in time.

Only in the case of figurative usage do we ever see the requirement of temporal priority unmet (e.g. "the firstborn of death", but still a figurative member of group "death.").

In the specific case of Colossians 1:15, it is Mr. Bowman's "understanding of the world" that is called into question by the expression "firstborn of all creation." Biblical words themselves show Mr. Bowman's "knowledge of the world" to be out of harmony with their consistent use and meaning in scripture.

Thus, in the expression "the firstborn (PRWTOTOKOS) of all creation" we would not say that creation fathered the firstborn, because pragmatics (our knowledge of the world) forbids it. We know that "creation" is not a proper name and cannot literally parent in this context. However, the LEXICAL requirement still exists, that the PRWTOTOKOS, Jesus:

(1) has temporal priority over others who also are part of creation (including angels) and
(2) that Jesus is a member of the very group that he preceeds in time, namely, creation

These requirements consistently and unyieldingly cry "first in time" and "part of the group" from Septuagint usage. And the sense relations between "firstborn" and "creation" do not change this lexical requirement, Mr. Bowman. Unless you take the position that the "firstborn" at Col. 1:15 is figurative, which I believe you do not.

In short Mr Bowman, your observations are true but they fail to take into account the lexical requirements of "firstborn" (Hebrew: BeQoR/ Greek: PRWTOTOKOS). This is a significant omission, as Moises Silva concludes in "Biblical Words and Their Meaning" 1994, p. 169, "It appears, then, that sensitivity to lexical structure --- paradigmatic resources, syntagmatic patterns, neutralization [my note: structures discussed in his book] --- can have a direct and significant effect on exegetical decisions." Thus, I submit that a lack of sensitivity to lexical structure lead to your exegetical decision to disregard similar lexical structures in the Septuagint, which is an error in interpreting meaning.

Jehovah's Witnesses seek to avoid the kind of scholarship that alters basic lexical requirements that do not meet a preconceived concept of God. Rather, Jehovah's Witnesses strive to achieve an honest and knowledgeable scholarship of the scriptures. This requires that our concepts of God come from scriptures AND THE WORDS OF SCRIPTURE and not the other way around.

Thus, there is no need for Jehovah's Witnesses to redefine the meaning of PRWTOTOKOS at Col 1:15 to fit a preconceived theological view. Rather, we accept what the words themselves tell us without altering the plain and consistent meaning of that word phrase. That plain meaning is that Jesus is pre-eminent over all creation because he was created (figuratively "born" in Hebrew idiom) first in time. Next, through this highly exalted one, all things came into existence through his agency, as Col 1:16 lays before us.

I warmly appeal to you, Rob Bowman, and to other readers of this information, to consider this information prayerfully and meditatively, to the honor and glory of God and his pre-eminent firstborn Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Your thoughtful questions for clarification are most welcome.

Sincerely,

Wes Williams

Revelation13-15 NWT(2013 Edition)

13 And it* stood still on the sand of the sea.

And I saw a wild beast+ ascending out of the sea,+ with ten horns and seven heads, and on its horns ten diadems,* but on its heads blasphemous names. 2 Now the wild beast that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were like those of a bear, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And the dragon+ gave to the beast its power and its throne and great authority.+

3 I saw that one of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but its mortal wound had been healed,+ and all the earth followed the wild beast with admiration. 4 And they worshipped the dragon because it gave the authority to the wild beast, and they worshipped the wild beast with the words: “Who is like the wild beast, and who can do battle with it?” 5 It was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and it was given authority to act for 42 months.+ 6 And it opened its mouth in blasphemies+ against God to blaspheme his name and his dwelling place, even those residing in heaven.+ 7 It was permitted to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them,+ and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue* and nation. 8 And all those who dwell on the earth will worship it. From the founding of the world, not one of their names has been written in the scroll of life+ of the Lamb who was slaughtered.+

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear.+ 10 If anyone is meant for captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone will kill with the sword,* he must be killed with the sword.+ This is where it calls for endurance+ and faith+ on the part of the holy ones.+

11 Then I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking like a dragon.+ 12 It exercises all the authority of the first wild beast+ in its sight. And it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first wild beast, whose mortal wound was healed.+ 13 And it performs great signs, even making fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind.

14 It misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that it was permitted to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image+ to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived.+ 15 And it was permitted to give breath* to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who refuse to worship the image of the wild beast.

16 It puts under compulsion all people—the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves—that these should be marked on their right hand or on their forehead,+ 17 and that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name+ of the wild beast or the number of its name.+ 18 This is where it calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number,* and its number is 666.+

 

14 Then I saw, and look! the Lamb+ standing on Mount Zion,+ and with him 144,000+ who have his name and the name of his Father+ written on their foreheads. 2 I heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was like singers who accompany themselves by playing on their harps. 3 And they are singing what seems to be a new song+ before the throne and before the four living creatures+ and the elders,+ and no one was able to master that song except the 144,000,+ who have been bought from the earth. 4 These are the ones who did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins.+ These are the ones who keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes.+ These were bought+ from among mankind as firstfruits+ to God and to the Lamb, 5 and no deceit was found in their mouths; they are without blemish.+

6 And I saw another angel flying in midheaven,* and he had everlasting good news to declare to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue* and people.+ 7 He was saying in a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of judgment by him has arrived,+ so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea+ and the springs* of water.”

8 Another, a second angel, followed, saying: “She has fallen! Babylon the Great+ has fallen,+ she who made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion* of her sexual immorality!”*+

9 Another angel, a third, followed them, saying in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the wild beast+ and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,+ 10 he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God that is poured out undiluted into the cup of His wrath,+ and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur+ in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever,+ and day and night they have no rest, those who worship the wild beast and its image and whoever receives the mark of its name.+ 12 Here is where it calls for endurance on the part of the holy ones,+ those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith+ of Jesus.”

13 And I heard a voice out of heaven say, “Write: Happy are the dead who die in union with the Lord+ from this time onward. Yes, says the spirit, let them rest from their labors, for the things they did go right* with them.”

14 Then I saw, and look! a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was someone like a son of man,+ with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

15 Another angel emerged from the temple sanctuary, calling with a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud: “Put your sickle in and reap, because the hour has come to reap, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.”+ 16 And the one seated on the cloud thrust his sickle into the earth, and the earth was reaped.

17 And still another angel emerged from the temple sanctuary that is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.

18 And still another angel emerged from the altar, and he had authority over the fire. And he called out with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, saying: “Put your sharp sickle in and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for its grapes have become ripe.”+ 19 The angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and he hurled it into the great winepress of God’s anger.+ 20 The winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress as high up as the bridles of the horses for a distance of 1,600 stadia.*

 

15 And I saw in heaven another sign, great and wonderful, seven angels+ with seven plagues. These are the last ones, because by means of them the anger of God is brought to a finish.+

2 And I saw something like a sea of glass+ mingled with fire, and those who are victorious+ over the wild beast and its image+ and the number of its name+ were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps of God. 3 They were singing the song of Moses+ the slave of God and the song of the Lamb,+ saying:

“Great and wonderful are your works,+ Jehovah* God, the Almighty.+ Righteous and true are your ways,+ King of eternity.+ 4 Who will not really fear you, Jehovah,* and glorify your name, for you alone are loyal?+ For all the nations will come and worship before you,+ because your righteous decrees have been revealed.”

5 After this I saw, and the sanctuary of the tent of the witness+ was opened in heaven,+ 6 and the seven angels with the seven plagues+ emerged from the sanctuary, clothed with clean, bright linen and with golden sashes wrapped around their chests. 7 One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls that were full of the anger of God,+ who lives forever and ever. 8 And the sanctuary became filled with smoke because of the glory of God+ and because of his power, and no one was able to enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues+ of the seven angels were finished.