1. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

NAB Footnote: This prologue describes the source, contents, and audience of the book and forms an inclusion with the epilogue (Rev 22:6-21), with its similar themes and expressions.

2. who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.

3. Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.

NAB Footnote: Blessed is the one: this is the first of seven beatitudes in this book; the others are in Rev 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. The appointed time: when Jesus will return in glory.

4. John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,

NAB Footnote: Seven churches in Asia: Asia refers to the Roman province of that name in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Seven is the biblical number suggesting fullness and completeness; thus the seer is writing for the whole church.

5. and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

NAB Footnote: Freed us: the majority of Greek manuscripts and several early versions read 'washed us'; but 'freed us' is supported by the best manuscripts and fits well with Old Testament imagery.

6. who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever (and ever). Amen.

Insight: Priests in the Catholic Church.

7. Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes. Amen.

8. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."

NAB Footnote: The Alpha and the Omega: the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. In Rev 22:13 the same words occur together with the expressions 'the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.'

9. I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God's word and gave testimony to Jesus.

NAB Footnote: Island called Patmos: one of the Sporades islands in the Aegean Sea, some fifty miles south of Ephesus, used by the Romans as a penal colony.

10. I was caught up in spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet,

NAB Footnote: The Lord's day: Sunday. As loud as a trumpet: the imagery is derived from the theophany at Sinai.

11. which said, "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."

12. Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands

NAB Footnote: A symbolic description of Christ in glory. The metaphorical language is not to be understood literally.

Insight: The seven gold lampstands are the seven Churches. John states this at the end of the chapter (Rev 1:20).

13. and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest.

NAB Footnote: Son of man: Ankle-length robe: Christ is priest. Gold sash: Christ is king.

14. The hair of his head was as white as white wool or as snow, and his eyes were like a fiery flame.

NAB Footnote: Hair as white as white wool or as snow: Christ is eternal, clothed with the dignity that belonged to the 'Ancient of Days.' His eyes were like a fiery flame: Christ is portrayed as all-knowing.

15. His feet were like polished brass refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing water.

NAB Footnote: His feet like a furnace: Christ is depicted as unchangeable. His voice like water: Christ speaks with divine authority.

16. In his right hand he held seven stars. A sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth, and his face shone like the sun at its brightest.

NAB Footnote: Seven stars: symbolizing universal dominion. A sharp two-edged sword: this refers to the word of God that will destroy unrepentant sinners. His face like the sun: symbolizes the divine majesty of Christ.

17. When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, 'Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last,'

18. the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld.

NAB Footnote: Keys to death and the netherworld: as Lord of life and death, Christ has power over the realm of the dead.

19. Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.

20. This is the secret meaning of the seven stars you saw in my right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

1. "To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write this: 'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:

NAB Footnote: Ephesus: the leading city of the Roman province of Asia, with a famous temple of Artemis (Diana) and a large Jewish community.

2. "I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors."

3. Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary.

4. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first.

5. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

6. But you have this in your favor: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

NAB Footnote: Nicolaitans: these are perhaps the impostors of Rev 2:2. There is little evidence for connecting this group with Nicolaus, the proselyte from Antioch, mentioned in Acts 6:5.

7. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the garden of God.

NAB Footnote: Victor: referring to any Christian individual who holds fast to the faith and does God's will in the face of persecution. The tree of life: a reference to the tree in the primeval paradise (Genesis 2:9).

8. "To the angel of the church in Smyrna, write this: 'The first and the last, who once died but came to life, says this:

NAB Footnote: Smyrna: modern Izmir, ca. thirty miles north of Ephesus, and the chief city of Lydia, with a temple to the goddess Roma. It was renowned for its loyalty to Rome.

9. "I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan.

NAB Footnote: The church in Smyrna was materially poor but spiritually rich. Accusations made by Jewish brethren there occasioned the persecution of Christians.

Insight: Note that this is the first instance of relating the word 'rich' to spiritual riches, not material. We conclude that the author intends to use economic terms to describe spiritual conditions. This theme continues throughout the book.

10. Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Insight: "Ordeal for ten days" could be him referencing the law of Moses, i.e. the ten commandments. It's difficult to satisfy the law. To obey the law is to be rewarded with the "crown of life."

11. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor shall not be harmed by the second death.

NAB Footnote: The second death: this refers to the eternal death, when sinners will receive their final punishment; cf Rev 20:6, 14-15; 21:8.

Insight: The victor is not harmed by the second death (which is physical), because the individual has first died to themselves in Christ (first death). We'll see the death and mayhem in the chapters to follow used to describe the first deaths. That is, the conversion of large groups of people. Respectfully, to the writers of the NAB footnotes, I argue that the second death refers to their final judgement, not necessarily their final punishment. There are those who are not harmed by the second death.

12. "To the angel of the church in Pergamum, write this: 'The one with the sharp two-edged sword says this:

NAB Footnote: Pergamum: modern Bergama, ca. forty-five miles northeast of Smyrna, a center for various kinds of pagan worship. It also had an outstanding library.

Insight: The sharp two-edged sword represents the word of God, which goes out and converts, i.e. slays humans so that they have the first death and are not harmed by the second death.

13. "I know that you live where Satan's throne is, and yet you hold fast to my name and have not denied your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives.

NAB Footnote: Satan's throne: the reference is to emperor worship and other pagan practices that flourished in Pergamum, perhaps specifically to the white marble altar erected and dedicated to Zeus by Eumenes II.

14. Yet I have a few things against you. You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites: to eat food sacrificed to idols and to play the harlot.

NAB Footnote: Like Balaam, the biblical prototype of the religious compromiser, the Nicolaitans in Pergamum and Ephesus accommodated their Christian faith to paganism.

15. Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of (the) Nicolaitans.

Insight: The Nicolaitans were a first-century heretical sect mentioned in Revelation 2:6, 15, known for promoting sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols, representing a compromise with pagan culture.

16. Therefore, repent. Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth.

Insight: Argue with them.

17. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna; I shall also give a white amulet upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it.

NAB Footnote: The hidden manna: this is the food of life. White amulet: literally, 'white stone,' on which was written a magical name, whose power could be tapped by one who knew the secret name. New name: a reference to the Christian's rebirth in Christ.

Insight: The hidden manna is the Eucharist.

18. "To the angel of the church in Thyatira, write this: 'The Son of God, whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished brass, says this:

NAB Footnote: Thyatira: modern Akhisar, ca. forty miles southeast of Pergamum, a frontier town famous for its workers' guilds, membership in which may have involved festal meals in pagan temples.

19. "I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the first."

20. Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

NAB Footnote: The scheming and treacherous Jezebel of old introduced pagan customs into the religion of Israel; this new Jezebel was doing the same to Christianity.

21. I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry.

22. So I will cast her on a sickbed and plunge those who commit adultery with her into intense suffering unless they repent of her works.

23. I will also put her children to death. Thus shall all the churches come to know that I am the searcher of hearts and minds and that I will give each of you what your works deserve.

NAB Footnote: Children: spiritual descendants.

Insight: This death is a reference to the first death, which is the spiritual death to selfishness. Not a physical death, which would be the second death. This theme will continue throughout the text.

24. But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not uphold this teaching and know nothing of the so-called deep secrets of Satan: on you I will place no further burden,

NAB Footnote: The so-called deep secrets of Satan: literally, 'the deep things of Satan,' a scathing reference to the perverse teaching of the Nicolaitans.

25. except that you must hold fast to what you have until I come.

26. To the victor, who keeps to my ways until the end, I will give authority over the nations.

NAB Footnote: The Christian who perseveres in faith will share in Christ's messianic authority and resurrection victory over death, symbolized by the morning star.

27. He will rule them with an iron rod. Like clay vessels will they be smashed,

28. just as I received authority from my Father. And to him I will give the morning star.

29. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

1. To the angel of the church in Sardis, write this: 'The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: "I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead."'

NAB Footnote: Sardis: this city, located ca. thirty miles southeast of Thyatira, was once the capital of Lydia. The letter to Sardis does not praise the community but admonishes its members to watchfulness, mutual support, and repentance.

2. Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

3. Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you.

4. However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy.

NAB Footnote: White garments: symbol of victory, joy, and purity; cf Rev 7:9, 13-14; 19:14.

5. The victor will thus be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and of his angels.

NAB Footnote: Book of life: the register of the living (cf Psalm 69:29; Isaiah 4:3; Daniel 12:1), here of those destined for eternal life; cf Rev 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27.

6. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

7. To the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write this: 'The holy one, the true, who holds the key of David, who opens and no one shall close, who closes and no one shall open, says this:

NAB Footnote: Philadelphia: modern Alasehir, ca. twenty-eight miles southeast of Sardis. Key of David: the power to admit to or exclude from the messianic kingdom; cf Isaiah 22:22.

8. "I know your works (behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close). You have limited strength, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

9. Behold, I will make those of the assembly of Satan who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying, behold I will make them come and fall prostrate at your feet, and they will realize that I love you.

NAB Footnote: Assembly of Satan: see the note on Rev 2:9.

10. Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

11. I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take your crown.

12. The victor I will make into a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never leave it again. On him I will inscribe the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, as well as my new name.

NAB Footnote: Pillar in the temple: a place of honor and permanence in the heavenly Jerusalem.

13. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

14. To the angel of the church in Laodicea, write this: 'The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God's creation, says this:

NAB Footnote: Laodicea: a prosperous commercial city ca. forty-five miles southeast of Philadelphia, famous for its banking, textile, and medical industries.

15. "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot."

16. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

17. For you say, 'I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,' but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

NAB Footnote: Rich and affluent: the Laodiceans' material prosperity blinded them to their spiritual poverty.

18. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see.

19. Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.

20. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, (then) I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.

21. I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne.

22. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

1. After this I had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpetlike voice that had spoken to me before, saying, "Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards."

2. At once I was caught up in spirit. A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat

3. one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.

NAB Footnote: Jasper and carnelian: precious stones whose colors (white and red) suggest the glory and majesty of God. Emerald: the rainbow symbolizes God's mercy; cf Genesis 9:13-16.

4. Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads.

NAB Footnote: Twenty-four elders: they represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, i.e., the whole people of God, the new Israel.

5. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Seven flaming torches burned before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

NAB Footnote: Seven spirits of God: the Holy Spirit in the fullness of his gifts; cf Isaiah 11:2-3; Zechariah 4:2, 10.

6. In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal. In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.

NAB Footnote: Sea of glass: the heavenly equivalent of the bronze basin in Solomon's temple. Four living creatures: derived from Ezekiel 1:5-21; they represent the whole of animate creation.

7. The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a human being, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight.

NAB Footnote: Lion, calf, human face, eagle: the four most noble creatures, representing the whole of animate creation. Christian tradition has applied these symbols to the four evangelists.

8. The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come."

NAB Footnote: Holy, holy, holy: the trisagion of Isaiah 6:3, indicating the absolute holiness of God.

9. Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

10. the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:

11. "Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created."

1. I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.

NAB Footnote: Scroll: containing God's plan for the world. Seven seals: indicating the complete and inviolable secrecy of the divine plan.

2. Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"

3. But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to examine it.

4. I shed many tears because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to examine it.

5. One of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed, enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals."

NAB Footnote: Lion of the tribe of Judah: a messianic title derived from Genesis 49:9. Root of David: another messianic title; cf Isaiah 11:1, 10; Romans 15:12.

6. Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and the elders, a Lamb that seemed to have been slain. It had seven horns and seven eyes; these are the (seven) spirits of God sent out into the whole world.

NAB Footnote: A Lamb that seemed to have been slain: Christ in his glorified humanity still bears the marks of his passion. Seven horns: fullness of power. Seven eyes: fullness of knowledge.

7. He came and received the scroll from the right hand of the one who sat on the throne.

8. When he took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.

NAB Footnote: Prayers of the holy ones: the incense offered in the temple symbolized the prayers of the people.

9. They sang a new hymn: "Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation."

NAB Footnote: A new hymn: a song of praise for the new and definitive act of salvation accomplished by Christ.

10. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.

11. I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number,

12. and they cried out in a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing."

13. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: "To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever."

14. The four living creatures answered, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

1. Then I watched while the Lamb broke open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures cry out in a voice like thunder, "Come forward."

NAB Footnote: The breaking of the first four seals releases four horsemen, modeled on Zechariah 1:8; 6:1-8, who symbolize the woes that are the prelude to the end of the age.

2. I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown, and he rode forth victorious to further his victories.

3. When he broke open the second seal, I heard the second living creature cry out, "Come forward."

4. Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given power to take peace away from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And he was given a huge sword.

NAB Footnote: Red horse: symbol of war and bloodshed.

5. When he broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature cry out, "Come forward." I looked, and there was a black horse, and its rider held a scale in his hand.

NAB Footnote: Black horse: symbol of famine. Scale: used to weigh out scarce food.

6. I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures. It said, "A ration of wheat costs a day's pay, and three rations of barley cost a day's pay. But do not damage the olive oil or the wine."

7. When he broke open the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature cry out, "Come forward."

8. I looked, and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades accompanied him. They were given authority over a quarter of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and plague, and by means of the beasts of the earth.

NAB Footnote: Pale green horse: the color of a corpse. Death and Hades: personifications of death and the underworld.

9. When he broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the witness they bore to the word of God.

NAB Footnote: Underneath the altar: in Jewish thought, the souls of the dead were kept under the heavenly altar. Those who had been slaughtered: the Christian martyrs.

10. They cried out in a loud voice, "How long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?"

11. Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little while longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers who were going to be killed as they had been.

12. Then I watched while he broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; the sun turned as black as dark sackcloth and the whole moon became like blood.

NAB Footnote: Earthquake, darkened sun, blood-red moon: these cosmic signs are traditional symbols of the Day of the Lord; cf Joel 3:3-4; Isaiah 13:10; 34:4; Ezekiel 32:7-8.

13. The stars in the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs shaken loose from the tree in a strong wind.

14. Then the sky was divided like a torn scroll curling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

15. The kings of the earth, the nobles, the military officers, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid themselves in caves and among mountain crags.

NAB Footnote: The listing of various ranks of society represents the universality of terror at the impending doom.

Insight: "Kings of the earth" = kingship of all men who are in Christ. That is, those who receive the hidden manna, which is the Eucharist.

16. They cried out to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,"

17. because the great day of their wrath has come and who can withstand it?

1. After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on land or sea or against any tree.

NAB Footnote: The four corners of the earth: the earth is seen as a table or rectangular surface.

Insight: The number four was likely used as a criteria when selecting the number of Gospels to include in the canon of the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 'A river rises in Eden to water the garden; beyond there it divides and becomes four branches.' (Genesis 2:10). This is why 4 accounts of Jesus were chosen to include in the New Testament canon. The number 4 is also symbolic of encompassing all of earth, all 4 corners.

2. Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea,

NAB Footnote: East: literally, 'rising of the sun.' The east was considered the source of light and the place of paradise (Genesis 2:8). Seal: whatever was marked by the impression of one's signet ring belonged to that person and was under his protection.

3. "Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

4. I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites:

NAB Footnote: One hundred and forty-four thousand: the square of twelve (the number of Israel's tribes) multiplied by a thousand, symbolic of the new Israel that embraces people from every nation, race, people, and tongue.

Insight: 144,000 = (12 tribal heads) × (12 apostles) × 1,000 = a lot of people. These are the believers in Christ (i.e. servants of God). The seal is put on their foreheads which is symbolic of their belief in Christ. This could be taken further to mean believers in the Eucharist.

9. After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

NAB Footnote: White robes and palm branches: symbols of joy and victory.

Insight: All of the killing (converting) from earlier, led to this multitude of believers in Christ. It fits.

10. They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb."

14. I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

NAB Footnote: Time of great distress: fierce persecution by the Romans.

17. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

NAB Footnote: Life-giving water: literally, 'the water of life,' God's grace, which flows from Christ.

1. When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

NAB Footnote: Silence in heaven: as in Zephaniah 1:7, a prelude to the eschatological woes that are to follow.

2. And I saw that the seven angels who stood before God were given seven trumpets.

3. Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne.

NAB Footnote: Altar: there seems to be only one altar in the heavenly temple, corresponding to the altar of holocausts in Rev 6:9, and here to the altar of incense in Jerusalem.

4. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.

5. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with burning coals from the altar, and hurled it down to the earth. There were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

7. When the first one blew his trumpet, there came hail and fire mixed with blood, which was hurled down to the earth. A third of the land was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all green grass.

NAB Footnote: This woe resembles the seventh plague of Egypt (Exodus 9:23-24).

Insight: Hail is frozen water (life giving) and fire is spirit. Mixed with blood which is the blood of Christ. This is the beginning of the conversion of the earth's population. The land being burned up is symbolic of the holy Spirit (fire) traveling over earth, converting people as He goes.

8. When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a large burning mountain was hurled into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood,

NAB Footnote: The background of these two woes is the first plague of Egypt (Exodus 7:20-21).

Insight: The conversion continues.

9. a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were wrecked.

Insight: A third of the ships were wrecked = a third of the other religions were destroyed (converted). This fits the narrative of Christian Supremacy in the end times.

1. Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. It was given the key for the passage to the abyss.

NAB Footnote: A star that had fallen: an angel (cf Rev 1:20), perhaps Satan (cf Luke 10:18; Isaiah 14:12). Abyss: the abode of evil spirits.

2. It opened the passage to the abyss, and smoke came up out of the passage like smoke from a huge furnace. The sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the passage.

3. Locusts came out of the smoke onto the land, and they were given the same power as scorpions of the earth.

NAB Footnote: Locusts: a traditional symbol of divine punishment; cf Exodus 10:12-15; Joel 1:4-2:11.

4. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or any tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

5. They were not allowed to kill them but only to torment them for five months; the torment they inflicted was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person.

11. They had as their king the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon.

NAB Footnote: Abaddon: Hebrew for 'destruction.' Apollyon: Greek for 'the destroyer.'

13. Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the (four) horns of the gold altar before God,

14. telling the sixth angel who held the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the banks of the great river Euphrates."

15. So the four angels were released, who were prepared for this hour, day, month, and year to kill a third of the human race.

20. The rest of the human race, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, to give up the worship of demons and idols made from gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

NAB Footnote: Did not repent: the plagues are meant to lead people to repentance, but many refuse.

21. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic potions, their unchastity, or their robberies.

1. Then I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven wrapped in a cloud, with a halo around his head; his face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire.

NAB Footnote: Another mighty angel: distinct from the one in Rev 5:2. The description resembles that of Christ in Rev 1:13-16.

2. In his hand he held a small scroll that had been opened. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,

3. and then he cried out in a loud voice as a lion roars. When he cried out, the seven thunders raised their voices, too.

7. but at the time when you hear the seventh angel blow his trumpet, the mysterious plan of God shall be fulfilled, as he promised to his servants the prophets.

NAB Footnote: Mysterious plan of God: literally, 'the mystery of God,' the divine plan of salvation, hidden from eternity but now being revealed.

9. So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, "Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey."

NAB Footnote: Take and swallow it: cf Ezekiel 3:1-3. Sweet as honey: the word of God is sweet to those who receive it, but its message of judgment is bitter.

10. I took the small scroll from the angel's hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.

11. Then someone said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings."

1. Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and I was told, "Come and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who are worshiping in it."

NAB Footnote: Measure the temple: the measuring is a symbolic act of preservation and protection; cf Ezekiel 40:3-42:20; Zechariah 2:5-9.

2. But exclude the outer court of the temple; do not measure it, for it has been handed over to the Gentiles, who will trample the holy city for forty-two months.

NAB Footnote: Forty-two months: three and a half years, the duration of the persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (167-164 B.C.); cf Daniel 7:25; 12:7.

3. I will commission my two witnesses to prophesy for those twelve hundred and sixty days, wearing sackcloth.

NAB Footnote: Two witnesses: the Law and the Prophets, or Moses and Elijah, or Peter and Paul — symbolic of the whole witnessing church.

7. When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will wage war against them and conquer them and kill them.

11. But after the three and a half days, a breath of life from God entered them. When they stood on their feet, great fear fell on those who saw them.

NAB Footnote: A breath of life from God: the resurrection of the witnesses symbolizes the church's ultimate triumph over persecution.

15. Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet. There were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world now belongs to our Lord and to his Anointed, and he will reign forever and ever."

NAB Footnote: The kingdom of the world now belongs to our Lord: the final victory of God and Christ is announced.

19. Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm.

NAB Footnote: Ark of his covenant: the ark was the symbol of God's presence and covenant with Israel; here it symbolizes God's fidelity to his promises.

1. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

NAB Footnote: A woman: the woman is a symbol of the church, the new Israel, and also of Mary, the mother of the Messiah.

2. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.

3. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems.

NAB Footnote: Red dragon: Satan (Rev 12:9). Seven heads and ten horns: symbols of fullness of power.

7. Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back,

NAB Footnote: Michael: the archangel who is the heavenly patron and protector of Israel; cf Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9.

9. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.

NAB Footnote: Ancient serpent: an allusion to Genesis 3:1-15. Devil: from the Greek word meaning 'slanderer.' Satan: from the Hebrew word meaning 'adversary.'

10. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night."

11. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death.

17. Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God's commandments and bear witness to Jesus.

NAB Footnote: The rest of her offspring: individual Christians who, like Christ, must face the power of evil.

1. Then I saw a beast come out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads; on its horns were ten diadems, and on its heads blasphemous name(s).

NAB Footnote: Beast from the sea: the Roman Empire, or any political power that sets itself up against God.

3. I saw that one of its heads seemed to have been mortally wounded, but this mortal wound was healed. Fascinated, the whole world followed after the beast.

NAB Footnote: Mortally wounded: an allusion to Nero, who died by suicide in A.D. 68 and was rumored to have come back to life.

4. They worshiped the dragon because it gave its authority to the beast; they also worshiped the beast and said, "Who can compare with the beast or who can fight against it?"

NAB Footnote: Worshiped the beast: allusion to emperor worship, which Domitian insisted upon and ruthlessly enforced.

11. Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb's but spoke like a dragon.

NAB Footnote: The second beast is described in terms of the false prophets who accompany the false messiahs (the first beast).

16. It forced all the people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to be given a stamped image on their right hands or their foreheads,

Insight: Believe in the Eucharist and receive it with your hand.

17. so that no one could buy or sell except one who had the stamped image of the beast's name or the number that stood for its name.

18. Wisdom is needed here; one who understands can calculate the number of the beast, for it is a number that stands for a person. His number is six hundred and sixty-six.

NAB Footnote: The most likely candidate is the emperor Caesar Nero, the Greek form of whose name in Hebrew letters gives the required sum. Nero personifies the emperors who viciously persecuted the church.

Insight: John 6:66 says, 'As a result of this, many (of) his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.' Those who do not believe in the Eucharist and receive the Eucharist with their hand. John certainly didn't know the verses of the Bible — those designations came much later. But he knew about the Eucharist. And may have been conveying a theme here. Those who don't believe in the Eucharist are antichrists. 'Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared.' (1 John 2:18)

1. Then I looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

NAB Footnote: Mount Zion: in Jerusalem, the traditional place where the true remnant, the Israel of faith, is to be gathered in the messianic reign.

Insight: 144,000 = (12 tribal heads) × (12 apostles) × 1,000 = a lot of believers. The Father's name and the Son's name are written on their foreheads because they believe in the Father and the Son.

4. These are they who were not defiled with women; they are virgins and these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the firstfruits of the human race for God and the Lamb.

NAB Footnote: Virgins: metaphorically, because they never indulged in any idolatrous practices.

Insight: The Virgins are celibate Catholic Priests.

6. Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with everlasting good news to announce to those who dwell on earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.

NAB Footnote: Everlasting good news: that God's eternal reign is about to begin.

8. A second angel followed, saying: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that made all the nations drink the wine of her licentious passion."

NAB Footnote: This verse anticipates the lengthy dirge over Babylon (Rome) in Rev 18:1-19:4.

13. I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them."

14. Then I looked and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man, with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

NAB Footnote: The reaping of the harvest symbolizes the gathering of the elect in the final judgment.

1. Then I saw in heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring: seven angels with the seven last plagues, for through them God's fury is accomplished.

NAB Footnote: Seven last plagues: these plagues, modeled on the plagues of Egypt, are the final manifestation of God's wrath against those who refuse to repent.

2. Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire. On the sea of glass were standing those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and the number that signified its name. They were holding God's harps,

3. and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: "Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations."

NAB Footnote: Song of Moses: cf Exodus 15:1-18; Deuteronomy 32. Song of the Lamb: the new song of redemption.

4. Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

1. I heard a loud voice speaking from the temple to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of God's fury upon the earth."

2. The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth. Festering and ugly sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast or worshiped its image.

4. The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water. These also turned to blood.

12. The sixth angel emptied his bowl on the great river Euphrates. Its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East.

NAB Footnote: Kings of the East: the Parthians, Rome's most feared enemies, who were expected to invade from the east.

16. They then assembled the kings in the place that is named Armageddon in Hebrew.

NAB Footnote: Armageddon: the Hebrew name for the ancient battlefield of Megiddo, where decisive battles were fought in Israelite history; cf Judges 5:19; 2 Kings 23:29-30.

21. Large hailstones like huge weights came down from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God for the plague of hail because this plague was so severe.

1. Then one of the seven angels who were holding the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come here. I will show you the judgment on the great harlot who lives near the many waters.

NAB Footnote: Great harlot: Babylon (Rome), the symbol of all that is opposed to God and his people.

3. Then he carried me away in spirit to a deserted place where I saw a woman seated on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names, with seven heads and ten horns.

5. On her forehead was written a name, which is a mystery, "Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth."

6. I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the holy ones and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus.

NAB Footnote: Drunk on the blood of the holy ones: Rome's persecution of Christians.

14. They will fight with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called, chosen, and faithful."

18. The woman whom you saw represents the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth."

NAB Footnote: The great city: Rome, the capital of the empire.

1. After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth became illumined by his splendor.

2. He cried out in a mighty voice: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great. She has become a haunt for demons. She is a cage for every unclean spirit, a cage for every unclean bird, (a cage for every unclean) and disgusting (beast)."

4. Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Depart from her, my people, so as not to take part in her sins and receive a share in her plagues,"

NAB Footnote: Depart from her: the call to leave Babylon echoes the prophets' call to leave the historical Babylon; cf Isaiah 48:20; Jeremiah 51:6, 45.

8. Therefore, her plagues will come in one day, pestilence, grief, and famine; she will be consumed by fire. For mighty is the Lord God who judges her."

20. Rejoice over her, heaven, you holy ones, apostles, and prophets. For God has judged your case against her."

24. In her was found the blood of prophets and holy ones and all who have been slain on the earth."

1. After this I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying: "Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God,"

6. Then I heard something like the sound of a great multitude or the sound of rushing water or mighty peals of thunder, as they said: "Alleluia! The Lord has established his reign, (our) God, the almighty."

7. "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory. For the wedding day of the Lamb has come, his bride has made herself ready."

NAB Footnote: Wedding day of the Lamb: the union of Christ and his church, the new Jerusalem; cf Rev 21:2, 9; Eph 5:25-32.

11. Then I saw the heavens opened, and there was a white horse; its rider was (called) "Faithful and True." He judges and wages war in righteousness.

NAB Footnote: White horse: symbol of victory. Faithful and True: titles of Christ; cf Rev 1:5; 3:14.

13. He wore a cloak that had been dipped in blood, and his name was called the Word of God.

NAB Footnote: Word of God: Christ is the definitive revelation of God; cf John 1:1-14.

15. Out of his mouth came a sharp sword to strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he himself will tread out in the wine press the wine of the fury and wrath of God the almighty.

NAB Footnote: Sharp sword: the word of God; cf Rev 1:16; Hebrews 4:12.

21. The rest were killed by the sword that came out of the mouth of the one riding the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Insight: Killed by the sword = converted by the Word of God. The flesh is destroyed by the Spirit.

1. Then I saw an angel come down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain.

NAB Footnote: The thousand years are not to be taken literally; they symbolize the long period of time between the chaining up of Satan (a symbol for Christ's resurrection-victory) and the end of the world.

2. He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, which is the Devil or Satan, and tied it up for a thousand years

4. Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

6. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over these; they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for (the) thousand years.

NAB Footnote: Second death: see the note on Rev 2:11. Priests: as in Rev 1:6; 5:10.

11. Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them.

NAB Footnote: A description of the final judgment. After the intermediate reign of Christ, all the dead are raised and judged, thus inaugurating the new age.

12. I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls.

15. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire.

1. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

NAB Footnote: Sea no more: because as home of the dragon it was doomed to disappear.

2. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

NAB Footnote: New Jerusalem: symbol of the church.

3. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them (as their God)."

4. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, (for) the old order has passed away."

5. The one who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Then he said, "Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true."

6. He said to me, "They are accomplished. I (am) the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water."

NAB Footnote: Alpha and Omega: see the note on Rev 1:8. Life-giving water: see the note on Rev 7:17.

22. I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.

NAB Footnote: Christ is present throughout the church; hence, no temple is needed as an earthly dwelling for God.

23. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.

1. Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

NAB Footnote: Life-giving water: see the note on Rev 7:17.

2. down the middle of its street. On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations.

NAB Footnote: The tree of life: cf Rev 22:14; see the note on Rev 2:7. Fruit and medicine: cf Ezekiel 47:12.

4. They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

NAB Footnote: Look upon his face: cf Matthew 5:8; 1 Cor 13:12; 1 John 3:2.

Insight: Belief in Christ.

7. "Behold, I am coming soon." Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic message of this book.

13. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

NAB Footnote: Christ applies to himself words used by God in Rev 1:8.

17. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let the hearer say, "Come." Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water.

NAB Footnote: Bride: the church; see the note on Rev 21:2.

20. The one who gives this testimony says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

NAB Footnote: Come, Lord Jesus: a liturgical refrain, similar to the Aramaic expression Marana tha — 'Our Lord, come!' — in 1 Cor 16:22.

21. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. [END OF BOOK]