In 2 the middle of the throne 3 and around the throne were four living creatures 4 full of eyes in front and in back.
5:13 Then 5 I heard every creature – in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them – singing: 6
“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power 7 forever and ever!”
7:1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so no wind could blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 7:2 Then 8 I saw another angel ascending from the east, 9 who had 10 the seal 11 of the living God. He 12 shouted out with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given permission 13 to damage the earth and the sea: 14
12:12 Therefore you heavens rejoice, and all who reside in them!
But 15 woe to the earth and the sea
because the devil has come down to you!
He 16 is filled with terrible anger,
for he knows that he only has a little time!”
18:21 Then 18 one powerful angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone, threw it into the sea, and said,
“With this kind of sudden violent force 19
Babylon the great city will be thrown down 20
and it will never be found again!
1 tn This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See BDAG 571 s.v. κρύσταλλος.
2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
3 tn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10).
4 tn On the meaning of ζῴον (zwon) BDAG 431 s.v. 2 states, “Of the four peculiar beings at God’s throne, whose description Rv 4:6-9 reminds one of the ζῷα in Ezk 1:5ff, the cherubim. S. also Rv 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5-7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4.”
5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
6 tn Grk “saying.”
7 tn Or “dominion.”
8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
9 tn Grk “from the rising of the sun.” BDAG 74 s.v. ἀνατολή 2.a takes this as a geographical direction: “ἀπὸ ἀ. ἡλίου…from the east Rv 7:2; 16:12…simply ἀπὸ ἀ. …21:13.”
10 tn Grk “having,” but v. 3 makes it clear that the angel’s purpose is to seal others with the seal he carries.
11 tn Or “signet” (L&N 6.54).
12 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
13 tn The word “permission” is implied; Grk “to whom it was given to them to damage the earth.”
14 tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
15 tn The word “But” is not in the Greek text, but the contrast is clearly implied. This is a case of asyndeton (lack of a connective).
16 tn Grk “and is filled,” a continuation of the previous sentence. Because English tends to use shorter sentences (especially when exclamations are involved), a new sentence was started here in the translation.
17 tn Grk “people, saying.” In the Greek text this is a continuation of the previous sentence. For the translation of λέγω (legw) as “declare,” see BDAG 590 s.v. 2.e.
18 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
19 tn On ὅρμημα ({ormhma) BDAG 724 s.v. states, “violent rush, onset ὁρμήματι βληθήσεται Βαβυλών Babylon will be thrown down with violence Rv 18:21.” L&N 68.82 refers to the suddenness of the force or violence.
20 sn Thrown down is a play on both the words and the action. The angel’s action with the stone illustrates the kind of sudden violent force with which the city will be overthrown.