1   After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a vast throng in heaven; and they were shouting:

   2   ‘Alleluia! Victory and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgements! He has condemned the great whore who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and has avenged upon her the blood of his servants.’
3   Then once more they shouted:

  ‘Alleluia! The smoke goes up from her for ever and ever!’
4   And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God as he sat on the throne, and they too cried:

  ‘Amen! Alleluia!’
5   Then a voice came from the throne which said: ‘Praise our God, all you his servants, you that fear him, both great and small!’

6   Again I heard what sounded like a vast crowd, like the noise of rushing water and deep roars of thunder, and they cried:

  ‘Alleluia! The Lord our God, sovereign over all, has entered on his reign! 7   Exult and shout for joy and do him homage, for the wedding-day of the Lamb has come! His bride has made herself ready, 8   and for her dress she has been given fine linen, clean and shining.’
(Now the fine linen signifies the righteous deeds of God's people.)

9   Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: “Happy are those who are invited to the wedding-supper of the Lamb!”’ And he added, ‘These are the very words of God.’ 10   At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘No, not that! I am but a fellow-servant with you and your brothers who bear their testimony to Jesus. It is God you must worship. Those who bear testimony to Jesus are inspired like the prophets.’ ^note

Visions of the end

11   Then I saw heaven wide open, and there before me was a white horse; and its rider's name was Faithful and True, for he is just in judgement and just in war. 12   His eyes flamed like fire, and on his head were many diadems. Written upon him was a name known to none but himself, 13   and he was robed in a garment drenched in blood. ^note 14   He was called the Word of God, and the armies of heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, clean and shining. 15   From his mouth there went a sharp sword with which to smite the nations; for he it is who shall rule them with an iron rod, and tread the wine-press of the wrath and retribution of God the sovereign Lord. 16   And on his robe and on his thigh there was written the name: ‘King of kings and Lord of lords.’

17   Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried aloud to all the birds flying in mid-heaven: ‘Come and gather for God's great supper, 18   to eat the flesh of kings and commanders and fighting men, the flesh of horses and their riders, the flesh of all men, slave and free, great and small!’ 19   Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies mustered to do battle with the Rider and his army. 20   The beast was taken prisoner, and so was the false prophet who had worked miracles in its presence and deluded those that had received the mark of the beast and worshipped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire with its sulphurous flames. 21   The rest were killed by the sword which went out of the Rider's mouth; and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

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