The Trinity Apocalypse
INTRODUCTION AND BENEDICTION
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
GREETING THE SEVEN CHURCHES
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
“I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord,“Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty.”
VISION OF THE SON OF MAN
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying,
“I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,
“Do not be afraid; I AM the First and the Last. I AM He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.”
THE LOVELESS CHURCH
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labour, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have laboured for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’
THE COMPROMISING CHURCH
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,
‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’
THE CORRUPT CHURCH
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
THE DEAD CHURCH
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
THE FAITHFUL CHURCH
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him 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. And I will write on him My new name.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
THE LUKEWARM CHURCH
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”
THE THRONE ROOM OF HEAVEN
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
“You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honour and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”
f. 4v Adoration of God by the four beasts and the twenty-four elders (Revelation IV. 8-11) (Plate 3(b)
John, standing in a separate compartment, with one hand raised to signify his awareness of the vision, beholds the enthroned figure of God holding a sceptre and the book of the seven seals, surrounded by the kneeling elders holding their golden phials and taking off their crowns.
The text inscriptions in front of the elders, and held by the four beasts, record their song of praise: 'Holy, Holy, Holy, our Lord God almighty ...
At the base of God's throne flows a green stream which may represent the sea of glass. The throne has at its side the six heads which represent the lightnings, voices and thunders.
Text: Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, nostre Seignur Deu tut pusaunt - holy, holy, holy, our Lord God almighty. Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, nostre Seignur Deu tut pusaunt, ki est e [...] - holy, holy, holy, our Lord God almighty, who is and [ . .] Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, nostre Seignur Deu tut [...] - holy, holy, holy, our Lord God all / ...] Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, nostre Seignur Dé - holy, holy, holy, our Lord God. [NJostre Segnur Deu, vus estes digne receivere glorie e honur e vertue pur o ke tu creastes tutes choses, e pur ta volunté esteient e sunt tutes choses criez - our Lord God, you are worthy to receive glory and honour and power because you created all things, and it was by your will that things were, and are, created.
THE LAMB TAKES THE SCROLL
And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
WORTHY IS THE LAMB
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honour and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
f. 5r TOP: The angel proclaims ‘Who is worthy to open the book and to undo the seals?’; John weeps and is consoled by one of the elders (Revelation V. 2-5)
The angel, facing frontal, proclaims on his scroll: 'Who is worthy to open the book and to undo its seals?' John, on the left, drawing his cloak to his chest, seems to react apprehensively to this proclamation. On the right is a second scene in which John weeps, his hand to his chin, because nobody has come forward to open the book. He is consoled by one of the elders who assures him that the lion of the tribe of Judah, of the root of David, is worthy to open it.
Text: [K]i est digne overir le livere e delier les signacles de lu? [N]e plureiz! Veez! le leun del ligne Juda, racine de David, ad vencu, ki est digne overir le livere e sas set seaus - who is worthy to open the book and to undo its seals? Do not weep! Behold! The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed and he is worthy to open the book and its seven seals.
f. 5r Bottom: The Lamb comes to take the book and is adored by the elders, the angels and every creature which is in heaven, earth and the sea, singing the new song (Revelation v. 7-14)
John, in a separate compartment on the left, gestures towards the vision in which the Lamb with seven horns comes to the throne to take the book. The book is inscribed as the New Testament and the Old because the commentary has earlier explained that is what the booksignifies. At the bottom of the throne is the seven-horned and seven-eyed Lamb appearing in heaven 'as if slain' with its throat bleeding as a spear is thrust in it, and holding a cross staff with a pennon. Surrounding the throne are the four beasts, the angels, and the twenty-four elders with their harps and golden phials. Below are the creatures on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea'. All join in singing the new song: 'The Lamb that was slain is worthy.
...Blessing and honour and glory be to Him who sits on the throne for ever and ever', the full text of which is written on the scrolls held by these various groups.
Text: [A]men. [A]men. [L]i aignel ki est oscis est digne receivere vertue e devinité e saver e force e honur e gl glorie e beneisun - Amen. Amen. The lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power and divinity and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing. Le Novel Testament e le Veil - The New Testament and the Old. INJostre Seignur Deu, vus estes digne receivere le livere e overir se|s) signacles pur ço ke vus estes oscis e nos rechatastes a Deu en tun sanc de tuz lignages e langages - our Lord God, you are worthy to receive the book and to open its seals because you were put to death and by Your blood You redeemed for God people from every tribe and tongue. [Bleneisun e honur e glorie e pousté seit al seaunt sur le trone en secle de secles - blessing and honour and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne for ever and ever.
f. 5v The first seal: the rider on the white horse announced by the angel (Revelation VI. 1-2)
At the opening of the first four seals, four horsemen appear. The first of the four beasts, the angel, asks John to 'Come and see. He points with a finger towards a king on a white horse aiming an arrow from his bow.
Text: [V]Jeneis veer! - come and see!
FIRST SEAL: THE CONQUEROR
Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
SECOND SEAL: CONFLICT ON EARTH
When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.
THIRD SEAL: SCARCITY ON EARTH
When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”
f. 6r TOP: The second seal: the rider on the red horse announced by the lion (Revelation VI. 3-4)
The second beast, the lion, introduces to the standing figure of John the opening of the second seal: 'Come and see, that is understand spiritually what you read!’ Before them is a king, holding an upright sword, riding a red horse.
Text: [V]eneiz veer, ço est a dire entendez aspirituaument o ke vus lisez! - come and see, that is understand spiritually what you read!
f. 6r BOTTOM: The third seal: the rider on the black horse announced by the bull (Revelation VI. 5-6)
The third beast, the bull, announces to John the opening of the third seal with the same words as the lion for the second seal: a king on a black horse holds a pair of scales.
Text: [V]eniz veer, ço est a dire entendez espirituaument ço ke vus lisez! - come and see, that is understand spiritually what you read!
f. 6v TOP: The fourth seal: the rider on the pale horse announced by the eagle (Revelation VI. 7-8)
"The vision at the opening of the fourth seal, announced with the same words by the fourth teas, the eagle, inspires fear in John, suggested by his contrappasto pose turning away from it. A king rides on a brown horse (not pale as in the text), holding a green bowl, with the open mouth of hell filled with grotesque devils behind him. The bowl he holds is explained by a pictorial tradition derived from the commentary text.?
TEXT: (V]enez veer, ço est a dire entende(Z] aspirituaument ço ke vus lisez! - come and see, that is understand spiritually what you read!
f. 6v BOTTOM: The fifth seal: the souls of the martyrs under the altar and the giving of white robes to them by angels (Revelation vI. 9-11)
The vision at the opening of the fifth seal is vigorously presented by the raised hand of John. In the centre, the naked souls of the martyrs stand under the altar, and on the right two of them are clothed in white robes by two angels. The martyrs beneath the altar ask with pleading gestures: How long, O holy and true Lord, before you come to judge and avenge our blood on those who live on earth?'
TEXT: L[es] almes des tués pur le amur de Deu - the souls of those abo had been pu to dests for the bar of God Seint e verrai Seignur, treske a cumben ne jugeis e vengeis nostre saunc de cus k debienten la tere? - how long, O holy and true Lord, before you come to judge and avenge our blood on those who live on earth?
FOURTH SEAL: WIDESPREAD DEATH ON EARTH
When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.
FIFTH SEAL: THE CRY OF THE MARTYRS
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
SIXTH SEAL: COSMIC DISTURBANCES
I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
THE SEALED OF ISRAEL
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
f. 7r TOP: The sixth seal: the earthquake (Revelation VI. 12-17) (Plate 4)
At the opening of the sixth seal the sun turns black and the moon to the colour of blood, the mountains and islands are moved out of their places, and an earthquake shakes the earth. John, in a contrapposto pose, seems to move away from this cataclysm. The mountains and islands float about in space and buildings tumble to the ground before him. A group of figures flees from the earthquake, with those in front already hiding in the caves and crannies of the mountains.
One of the latter holds a scroll with the words 'mountains, fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb'.
TEXT: Muntaines, cheés sur nus e musceis nus de la face del seant sur le trone e de l'ire de l'agnel pur ço ke [...] - mountains, fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne and from the anger of the lamb because [...]
f. 7r BOTTOM: The angels holding the four winds; the angel with the seal of the living God; the tribes of Israel that were signed (Revelation VII. I-8) (Plate 4)
At the opening of the sixth seal four angels appear at the four corners of the earth holding the winds, symbolised by heads in their hands with one hand over their mouths. At the top right another angel beside the rising sun has the sign of the living God', his scroll announcing to the four angels: 'Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have marked the servants of the Lord on their foreheads.' In the centre of the circular earth, surrounded by green sea, are standing figures in twelve compartments representing the hundred and forty-four thousand of the twelve tribes of Israel that were signed on their foreheads. John stands in the bottom left corner viewing this vision.
TEXT: Le ligne Juda - the tribe of Judah. Le ligne Ruben - the tribe of Ruben. Le ligne Gad - the tribe of Gad. Le ligne Aser - the tribe of Asher. Le ligne Neptalim - the tribe of Naphtali. Le ligne Manassé
- the tribe of Manasseh. Le ligne Simeon - the tribe of Simeon. Le ligne Levi - the tribe of Levi. Le ligne Ysachar - the tribe of Issacher. Le ligne Zabulon - the tribe of Zebulen. Le ligne Joseph - the tribe of Joseph. Le ligne Benjamin - the tribe of Benjamin. Ne nuseis a la tere ne a la mer ne as arbres treske a taunt ke nus eums merchés les serjaunz nostre Dé en lur fruns! - do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have marked the servants of our Lord on their foreheads!
f. 7v The multitude adore God and the Lamb; the elder explains to John the figures in white robes (Revelation VII. 9-14) (Plate 5)
The angels are kneeling at the top, the twenty-four elders with their harps and phials in the centre, and the martyrs in their white robes holding palms at the bottom. All adore God on his throne, his feet resting on the globe of the world, surrounded by the four beasts with the Lamb holding a pennon surmounted by a cross standing beside him: 'Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, honour and power and strength to our God for ever and ever.' In the bottom left corner, John questions one of the crowned elders who explains to him that the people in white robes are those who have emerged from great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Among the martyrs in white robes holding palms at the bottom are a woman, three tonsured figures, one wearing a cowl, a bishop and a king.
TEXT: [M]atheus - Matthew. DJohannes - John. [M]arcus - Mark. [Lucas - Luke. [A]sia - Asia. [A]ffrica - Africa. [E]uropa - Europe. [BIeneisun e clarté e saver e rente de graces, honur e vertue e force seit a nostre Deu en secle de secles! Amen - blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving. honour and power and strength to our God for ever and ever! Amen. [MJun Seignur, vus savez - my Lord, you know. []Ileus ki sunt cuvert de blanches vestures, ki sunt ile dunt vindrent? - these people who a clothed in white robes, who are they and where did they come from? Iceus sunt ki vindrent de grant unbulatiun, e laverent lur estoles e les enblanchirent en le sanc de l'aignel - they are those who have emerged from great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb. Staunté seit a nostre Deu ki seeit sur le trone, e a l'aignell - salvation to our Lord who is seated on the throne, and to the lamb!
A MULTITUDE FROM THE GREAT TRIBULATION
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”
So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
SEVENTH SEAL: PRELUDE TO THE SEVEN TRUMPETS
When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.
So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
f. 8r The seventh seal: the giving of the trumpets; the angel censes the altar in heaven; the incense is cast on the earth (Revelation VII. 2-5)
At the opening of the seventh seal, seven angels appear in the presence of God and are given seven trumpets. In the top register, John observes the distribution of the trumpets with the first being handed over. At the right sits God enthroned, holding the open book of the seven seals, accompanied by the Lamb holding a cross staff with a pennon, and surrounded by the four beasts. In the bottom register, John watches as an angel comes forward carrying an incense boat and thurible to cense the altar in heaven from which flames arise, over which God presides in a circular mandorla to illustrate the 'smoke of the incense and the prayers of the saints ascending into his presence'. On the right, the angel pours the incense and the fire of the altar onto the earth, while above six heads in clouds with red streaks emerging from their mouths represent the thunders, voices and lightnings.
TEXT: Matheus - Matthew. Johannes - John. Marcus - Mark. Lucas - Luke.
f. 8v TOP: The first trumpet: the rain of fire on the earth (Revelation VIII. 6-7) (Plate 6)
John looks at the six angels standing holding their trumpets, with the first, at the head of the group, blowing his trumpet. At the blowing of the trumpet, hail, fire and blood descend from heaven and the trees on the earth are destroyed.
f. 8v BOTTOM: The second trumpet: the mountain of fire falls into the sea (Revelation VIII. 8-9) (Plate 6)
When the angel blows the second trumpet, a third part of the sea is turned to blood, represented as a red wavy band between two bands of green. Two ships are overturned as the mountain of fire falls beside them, and two men are seen drowning in the sea, and on the right are four other ships filled with men. John stands on the left, holding out his book as he observes the scene.
FIRST TRUMPET: VEGETATION STRUCK
The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
SECOND TRUMPET: THE SEAS STRUCK
Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
THIRD TRUMPET: THE WATERS STRUCK
Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
FOURTH TRUMPET: THE HEAVENS STRUCK
Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
f. 9r TOP: The third trumpet: the falling of the star called Wormwood (Revelation VIII. 10-11)
At the blowing of the third trumpet, a great red burning star, Wormwood, falls from heaven onto the rivers and fountains, turning them bitter. These waters cause men to die, and a group a represented as dead or in poses of suffering. John's abhorrence of the scene is indicated by a contrapposto pose as he turns away.
TEXT: Albscinthium - wormwood.
f. 9r BOTTOM: The fourth trumpet. the darkening of the sun and mon, the eagle flies trough been crying 'Woe!' (Revelation VIII. 12-13)
John looks on as the angel blows the fourth trumpet, at which a third part of the sun, moon and stars becomes dark. This is not the case for the sun, which has been gilded all over. An eagle flies across the heavens crying: 'Woe, woe, woe to those who live on the earth!
TEXT: Alas, alas, alas as habitaunz en tere! - woe, woe, woe to those who live on the earth!
f. 9v The fifth trumpet: the falling star, the key to the bottomless pit and the coming up of the loan for the bottomless pit (Revelation IX. 1-11)
The fifth trumpet blast witnessed by John heralds a red star falling from heaven and the appearance of the key to the bottomless pit. At the opening of the pit the locusts come up led by their king, the evil angel, Devastator. The locusts are like horses with crowned heads of men with teeth of lions and with hair of women, represented as devilish faces in brown, grey and black. They approach a group of men, some gesticulating in terror. The smoke from the pit darkens the sun which is above the angel's trumpet.
TEXT: Le rei des gresiluns si est apelé en fraunceis Dewastaunt - the king of the locusts is called Devastator in French. [L]e put de abisme - the bottomless pit.
FIFTH TRUMPET: THE LOCUSTS FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT
Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.
One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.
SIXTH TRUMPET: THE ANGELS FROM THE EUPHRATES
Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.
But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
f. 10r TOP: The sixth trumpet the angel looses the four angels bound in the river Euphrates: the four angels of the Euphrates stand freed (Revelation IX. 13-15) (Plate 7)
John observes the blowing of the sixth trumpet which is accompanied by a voice from heaven, represented by a head with a scroll from its mouth coming out of the side of God's throne above: 'Release the four angels who are bound in the great river Euphrates.' On the right the angel is shown unbinding the angels who have dark-skinned faces of evil aspect. In the register below, the four angels, now freed, stand in the river, one drawing his sword, one holding a spear, and the third a battle-axe.
TEXT: Desliez les quatre aungeles ki sunt liez en le graunt fluvie de Eufraten! - release the four angels who are bound in the great river Euphrates!
f. 10r BOTTOM: The horsemen destroy the people (Revelation IX. I6-21) (Plate 7)
John, accompanied by a young man, withdraws his arm and glances fearfully at the next dreadful vision of horsemen with wicked, devilish faces, their horses having the heads of lions tails with serpents' heads, and breathing fire to destroy a group of people who lie dead on the ground. On the right a group of standing figures look apprehensively at the terrible horsemen.
f. 10v The appearance of the great angel and the seven thunders; John is told by the angel not to write what the seven thunders have spoken; he is given a book to eat by the angel; he eats it and finds it bitter; John is told by the angel to prophesy to the nations (Revelation X. 1-11) (Plate 8)
In the top register John sees a great angel appear, surrounded by clouds and with a rainbow above his head, holding a book and standing with one foot on the sea and the other foot on the earth. Beside the angel at the top are the voices of the seven thunders in the clouds with blue streaks emerging from their mouths, and John sits below them. Above him is a head from whose mouth comes a scroll instructing John not to write down what these voices say. On the right the great angel, still standing on the sea and the earth, gives a book to John, and a head emerging from the clouds above with a scroll coming from his mouth, instructs him to eat it. In the lower register the seated John on the left is eating the book, and in the centre he clasps his stomach because it makes his stomach bitter. The angel stands beside him instructing him to prophesy to peoples and nations.
TEXT: Ne esscrivez pas les signes ke les set toneires unt parlé! - the portents that the seven thunders have uttered, do not write them down! Receveiz cest livere e devorez le, e il fra vostre ventre amer, mes il serra cum mel! - take this book and eat it, and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will taste like honey! Alez si perneiz le livere de la main de l'aungele astaunt sur la mere sur la tere! - go and take the book from the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land! Il te kovent derechef prophetiser as poeples e as gens e as langages e as mus reis - you must again prophesy to peoples and to nations and to tongues and to many kings.
THE MIGHTY ANGEL WITH THE LITTLE BOOK
I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.
JOHN EATS THE LITTLE BOOK
Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”
So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”
And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”
THE TWO WITNESSES
Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
f. 11r The angel gives John the rod to measure the temple, but not the court of the gentiles (unbelievers) (Revelation XI. I-2)
The seated John is given a rod by the angel who points to the temple of God with the altar in it worshipped by a kneeling woman and man. The angel tells John to get up and measure the temple and those who worship in it. The small structure on the left side of the temple probably represents the court of the gentiles (unbelievers) which he is told not to measure.
TEXT: Levez e mesurez le temple Deue les oraunz en lu! - get to your feet and measure the temple of God and those who worship in it!
f. 11v The appearance of the witnesses who prophesy; they breathe fire and turn the waters to blood (Revelation XI. 3-6)
In the top register two witnesses appear in the centre of the scene, clad in brown sackcloth and holding staffs. Each turns to a group of seated people to prophesy. In the lower register one of the witnesses breathes fire towards those who intend to hurt them and to destroy them. The witness on the right turns water to blood with his staff while a group of standing figures observes the miracle.
THE MIGHTY ANGEL WITH THE LITTLE BOOK
I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.
JOHN EATS THE LITTLE BOOK
Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”
So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”
And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”
THE TWO WITNESSES
Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
f. 12r The king of the locusts, Devastator, that came up from the bottomless pit, kills the witnesses; their bodies lie in the streets and are seen by the people who rejoice (Revelation XI. 7-10)
In the top register a group of people see the king of the locusts, Devastator, killing the witnesses. One of them lies dead on the ground, whereas the other thrusts his spear at Devastator, the spear breaking, and the creature biting his hand and trampling on him with his hooves. In the lower register the dead witnesses lie in the street unburied. One of the figures wearing a flower garland around his head indicates that the people are rejoicing and making merry over their death.
f. 12v TOP: Life enters into the witnesses, they stand up and ascend to heaven, the earthquake (Revelation XI. 11-13)
After three days the witnesses rise from the dead. They stand frontally with their hands, raised, viewed by a group of people who gesture in amazement. A voice above them in be clouds says: ‘Come up here?’ On the right their disappearing feet can be seen below the frame as they ascend to heaven. As this happens, an earthquake occurs, shown with building tumbling down, people falling from them and lying dead on the ground.
Text: Muntez sa! - come up here!
f. 12v BOTTOM: The seventh trumpet God praised by the elders, the temple of God opens in heaven (Revelation X1. 15-17, 19)
Clasping his cloak to his body John looks as the angel blowing the seventh tumpet. God, seated above in a quatrefoil set within a circular mandorla, has four heads around his representing the voices in heaven. The two heads at the top have scrolls coming from their mouths with the words ‘The kingdom of this world is that of our Lord and his Christ and be shall reign for ever and ever!’ The two at the bottom just have the words The kingdom! The twenty-four crowned elders kneel before God with a scroll before them with their words of praise. We give thanks to you, Lord God almighty, who is and who was and who took on great power and began your reign! At the right is the temple of God opened in heaven, with the ark of the testament inside, and above four heads representing the voices, thunder and hail that accompany the opening of the temple.
TEXT: Le reaume de cest m[und] est a nostre] | | - the kingdom of this world is our [.). Le reaume de cest mund est a nostre Seignur e al Crist de lu, e il regnera en secle de secles - the kingdom of this world is that of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. Gresil, fudre e vois- hail, thunder and loud noises. Gresil, fudre e vois - hail, thunder and loud noises. Le reaumle - the kingdom. Le rea[ume] - the kingdom. Nus rendums graces a tai, Seignur Deu tut pusaunt, kies e ki esteies e ki resutes grant vertue e regnastes - we give thanks to you, Lord God almighty, who is and who was and who took on great power and began your reign. E la gent sun curecés - and the people grew angry.
SEVENTH TRUMPET: THE KINGDOM PROCLAIMED
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
THE WOMAN, THE CHILD, AND THE DRAGON
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
f. 13r The seven-headed dragon appears before the woman in the sun whose child is taken up to heaven; the woman in the wilderness (Revelation XII. 3-6) (Plate 9)
In the top register two signs appear in heaven. A woman in the sun with the moon at her feet, and a great red dragon with seven crowned heads whose tail draws down a third of the stars in the heavens. The woman lies on a bed, with the sun behind and the crescent moon at her feet, looking at the dragon, and gives the child to whom she has given birth to a kneeling angel. Above, the angel takes the child up to heaven to the empty throne of God. In the lower register the dragon pursues the woman who has taken refuge in the wilderness. She sits between trees on a mound from which two streams flow.
f. 13v The war in heaven (Revelation XII. 7)
St Michael and his angels fight with the dragon and his evil angels, represented as small brown and red dragons. St Michael and his angels fight with battle axe, sword, spears and shields. The scroll at the top right, emerging from the mouth of a head, announces that the power and Kingdom of Christ has come and that the accuser of his brethren has been overthrown.
TEXT: Ore est fete saluz e vertue e le regne nostre Seignur et la pousté de sun Crist pur o ke le encusur de nos frees est enjeté ki les encusout devaunt le esgard de nostre Seignur de jur et de nut - now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our Lord and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them day and night in the sight of our Lord, has been thrown down.
SATAN THROWN OUT OF HEAVEN
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
THE WOMAN PERSECUTED
Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
f. 14r The dragon persecutes the woman and casts out a flood at her; she is given wings and flies into the desert; the woman is nourished in the desert; the seed of the woman fight the dragon (Revelation XII. 13-17) (Plate 10)
In the top register the dragon persecutes the woman by spewing out a flood of water at her, but the flood is swallowed up by the earth. She is given wings by an angel and flies off into the desert. In the lower register she is seated in the desert, fed by an angel holding a chalice and a circular disc like a large Host. On the right her children, who include two women and four tonsured men, fight the dragon with bows and arrows, a sword and a battle axe.
f. I4v The dragon delegates power to the seven-headed beast who rises from the sea, and the two are worshipped by the people; the beast slays the saints (Revelation XIII. I-4, 7) (Plate 11)
In the top register John beholds the appearance of a seven-headed beast with ten crowned horns who rises from the sea, and to whom the dragon delegates the sceptre of power. A group of people beside the two beasts, gesture toward them, some kneeling in adoration and one holding a scroll with the words: 'Who is like the beast and who will be able to fight against it.' In the lower register, one group on the right kneels in adoration of the beast while, on the left, three tonsured men, a hooded tonsured man, a layman, two women - one placed prominently in the centre - fight the animal with spears, swords, daggers and an axe. The beast tramples on two of the men. Among the group on the right adoring the beast, one has a feathered cap denoting an evil person.
TEXT: Ki est semblable a la beste, e ki purra cumbatre od lu? - who is like the beast, and who will be able to fight against it?
THE BEAST FROM THE SEA
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marvelled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
If anyone has an ear, let him hear. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
f. 15r The false prophet rises from the earth; he calls down fire and causes the people to worship the statue of the beast, the killing of those who refuse to worship the statue of the beast (Revelation. XIII. 12-15) (Plate 12)
In the top register John now sees a third creature, the false prophet, a beast with two horns, rise out of the earth. It then sits on a mound holding a sceptre, making fire descend from heaven, and forces the people to kneel in adoration of the seven-headed beast. In the lower register the People are made to worship the statue of the beast which stands on an altar, and those who do not do so are beheaded by two men on the left. The man holding an axe in the centre seems to be threatening the tonsured figure beside him with the same fate.
f. 15v The false prophet causes men to be marked (Revelation XIII. 16-17)
The false prophet orders that men should be marked on their right hands or foreheads with the mark of the beast. It sits on a mound, holding a staff, watching one kneeling man being marked on the forehead, and another behind him on the right hand. On the right, the rich and the poor, freemen and bondmen, await their marking.
THE BEAST FROM THE EARTH
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
THE LAMB AND THE 144,000
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
f. 16r The twenty-four elders seated around the throne sing the new song; the Lamb adored upon Mount Sion (Revelation XIV. 1-5)
John at the TOP left looks on at the vision of heaven with the empty throne in a quatrefoil in the centre, surrounded by the four beasts and the seated figures of the twenty-four crowned elders. BELOW, the Lamb, holding a cross staff with a pennon, stands on Mount Sion with a back-turned man looking from below and large groups of figures gesturing on either side. These groups represent the hundred and forty-four thousand who have the name of God and the Lamb written on their foreheads. They sing a new song before the throne in heaven.
TEXT: Matheus - Matthew. Johannes - John. Marcus - Mark. Lucas - Luke.
f. 16v The first angel saying ‘Fear the Lord’; the second angel and the fall of Babylon; the third angel and the judgement of those who have worshipped the beast (Revelation XIV. 6-11)
Three angels, observed by the standing John, fly through heaven above the clouds with messages to the people of the earth. Either the inscriptions on the scrolls of the first and third angels have been reversed through an error of the scribe or, in contrast to all the other pictures in the book, the narrative is intended to be read from right to left rather than left to right. The first angel, on the far right has the following instruction on his scroll: 'Fear the Lord and honour him and worship him…’. Below him a group of seated people look up. The second angel, in the centre, holds a scroll with the words: 'Babylon the great is fallen, which made people drunk with the wine of its fornication.' Below are the collapsing buildings of the city of Babylon. The third angel, on the left, has a scroll saying that those who have worshipped the beast and have received his mark on their foreheads or hands will 'drink the wine of God's wrath'. A group of figures sits below, two wearing leaf garlands around their heads.
TEXT: Ki averad aoré la beste, e le ymagine de lu, e eit resu le merk en sun frunt u en sa main, icestu bevera del vin del curus de Deu, e il serrat turmenté de fu e de sufre en le esgard des aungeles e devant le esgard de l'aignel - anyone who has worshipped the beast, and its image, and has received the mark on his forehead or on his hand, will drink the wine of God's wrath, and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the sight of the angels and in the sight of the lamb. Babilon chei, icele graunde, ki embevera la gent del vin de sa fornicatiun - fallen is Babylon the great, which made people drunk with the wine of its fornication. Dutez nostre Seignur e dunez honur a lu e aorez lu ki fist cel e tere, la mer e kaunke sunt en eus, e les funtaines des ewes, pur ço ke le oure de sun jugement vent. - fear our Lord and honour him and worship him who made beaven and earth, the sea and all the thing that are in them, and the springs of water, because the hour of his judgement is coming!
THE PROCLAMATIONS OF THREE ANGELS
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, and their works follow them.”
REAPING THE EARTH’S HARVEST
Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
REAPING THE GRAPES OF WRATH
Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
f. 17r TOP: The harvest of the earth (Revelation XIV. 14-16)
john, with his hand held apprehensively to his face, looks at the Son of Man seated in the clouds, with wings, crowned and holding a sickle, who comes to harvest the earth. Below, this crowned and winged figure begins to cut the wheat with his sickle, while on the right an angel comes out of the temple and announces the words on the scroll he holds: 'Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour of reaping is come, since the crops of the earth are ripe.
TEXT: Metez vostre faucille e seez pur o ke le oure vent ke il seit seé, kar le blé de la tere esecchist! - put in your sickle and reap for the hour for reaping is coming, since the crops of the earth are ripe!
f. 17r BOTTOM: The vintage and the blood from the winepress (Revelation XIV. 17-20) (Plate 13(a))
On the left, another angel comes out of the temple in heaven in the clouds, holding a sickle. A second angel stands beside an altar from which smoke rises with a scroll announcing the grape harvest: 'Put in your sickle and harvest the grapes from the vines of the earth, because its bunches are ripe. On the right the angel cuts the grapes from the vines, with two devils before him, one turning the screw of the winepress of the wrath of God outside the city, from which flows blood, but of brown colour. Three horses stand at the entrance gate, awaiting the blood which will come up to their bridles.
TEXT: Metez ta faucille e vendenjez les resins des vignes de la tere, pur o ke les grapes de lu sunt meures! - put in your sickle and harvest the grapes from the vines of the earth, because its bunches are ripe!
f. 17v
The first angel saying ‘Fear the Lord’; the second angel and the fall of Babylon; the third angel and the judgement of those who have worshipped the beast (Revelation XIV. 6-11)
PRELUDE TO THE BOWL JUDGMENTS
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
“Great and marvellous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”
FIRST BOWL: LOATHSOME SORES
So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
SECOND BOWL: THE SEA TURNS TO BLOOD
Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
THIRD BOWL: THE WATERS TURN TO BLOOD
Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying:
“You are righteous, O Lord,
The One who is and who was and who is to be,
Because You have judged these things.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
And You have given them blood to drink.
For it is their just due.”
And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
FOURTH BOWL: MEN ARE SCORCHED
Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
FIFTH BOWL: DARKNESS AND PAIN
Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
SIXTH BOWL: EUPHRATES DRIED UP
Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
SEVENTH BOWL: THE EARTH UTTERLY SHAKEN
Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
THE SCARLET WOMAN AND THE SCARLET BEAST
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.
I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marvelled with great amazement.
THE MEANING OF THE WOMAN AND THE BEAST
But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
“Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfil His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
THE FALL OF BABYLON THE GREAT
After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”
And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.
THE WORLD MOURNS BABYLON’S FALL
“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’
“And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’
“They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’
“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
FINALITY OF BABYLON’S FALL
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”
HEAVEN EXULTS OVER BABYLON
After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honour and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”
And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
CHRIST ON A WHITE HORSE
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.
THE BEAST AND HIS ARMIES DEFEATED
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”
And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
SATAN BOUND 1,000 YEARS
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
THE SAINTS REIGN WITH CHRIST 1,000 YEARS
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
SATANIC REBELLION CRUSHED
Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
ALL THINGS MADE NEW
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
THE NEW JERUSALEM
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
THE GLORY OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honour of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
THE RIVER OF LIFE
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
THE TIME IS NEAR
Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
“Behold, I AM coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
JESUS TESTIFIES TO THE CHURCHES
“And behold, I AM coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I AM the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
A WARNING
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
I AM COMING QUICKLY
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
f. 18r
TOP: The harvest of the earth (Revelation XIV. 14-16)