Discovery BoxRevelation 6:1--20:15 
Context6:1 I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a thunderous voice, 1 “Come!” 2 6:2 So 3 I looked, 4 and here came 5 a white horse! The 6 one who rode it 7 had a bow, and he was given a crown, 8 and as a conqueror 9 he rode out to conquer.
6:3 Then 10 when the Lamb 11 opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” 6:4 And another horse, fiery red, 12 came out, and the one who rode it 13 was granted permission 14 to take peace from the earth, so that people would butcher 15 one another, and he was given a huge sword.
6:5 Then 16 when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, “Come!” So 17 I looked, 18 and here came 19 a black horse! The 20 one who rode it 21 had a balance scale 22 in his hand. 6:6 Then 23 I heard something like a voice from among the four living creatures saying, “A quart 24 of wheat will cost a day’s pay 25 and three quarts of barley will cost a day’s pay. But 26 do not damage the olive oil and the wine!”
6:7 Then 27 when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!” 6:8 So 28 I looked 29 and here came 30 a pale green 31 horse! The 32 name of the one who rode it 33 was Death, and Hades followed right behind. 34 They 35 were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword, 36 famine, and disease, 37 and by the wild animals of the earth.
6:9 Now 38 when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed 39 because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. 6:10 They 40 cried out with a loud voice, 41 “How long, 42 Sovereign Master, 43 holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” 6:11 Each 44 of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached 45 of both their fellow servants 46 and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.
6:12 Then 47 I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge 48 earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, 49 and the full moon became blood red; 50 6:13 and the stars in the sky 51 fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping 52 its unripe figs 53 when shaken by a fierce 54 wind. 6:14 The sky 55 was split apart 56 like a scroll being rolled up, 57 and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 6:15 Then 58 the kings of the earth, the 59 very important people, the generals, 60 the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave 61 and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 6:16 They 62 said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, 63 6:17 because the great day of their 64 wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” 65
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 66 I saw another angel ascending from the east, 67 who had 68 the seal 69 of the living God. He 70 shouted out with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given permission 71 to damage the earth and the sea: 72 7:3 “Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees until we have put a seal on the foreheads of the servants 73 of our God.” 7:4 Now 74 I heard the number of those who were marked with the seal, 75 one hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed from all 76 the tribes of the people of Israel: 77
7:5 From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand,
7:6 from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand,
7:7 from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand,
7:8 from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.
7:9 After these things I looked, and here was 78 an enormous crowd that no one could count, made up of persons from every nation, tribe, 79 people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb dressed in long white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. 7:10 They were shouting out in a loud voice,
“Salvation belongs to our God, 80
to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
7:11 And all the angels stood 81 there in a circle around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground 82 before the throne and worshiped God, 7:12 saying,
“Amen! Praise and glory,
and wisdom and thanksgiving,
and honor and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
7:13 Then 83 one of the elders asked 84 me, “These dressed in long white robes – who are they and where have they come from?” 7:14 So 85 I said to him, “My lord, you know the answer.” 86 Then 87 he said to me, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. They 88 have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb! 7:15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve 89 him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them. 90 7:16 They will never go hungry or be thirsty again, and the sun will not beat down on them, nor any burning heat, 91 7:17 because the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 92
8:1 Now 93 when the Lamb 94 opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 8:2 Then 95 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 8:3 Another 96 angel holding 97 a golden censer 98 came and was stationed 99 at the altar. A 100 large amount of incense was given to him to offer up, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar that is before the throne. 8:4 The 101 smoke coming from the incense, 102 along with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 8:5 Then 103 the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it on the earth, and there were crashes of thunder, roaring, 104 flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
8:6 Now 105 the seven angels holding 106 the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.
8:7 The 107 first angel blew his trumpet, and there was hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was thrown at the earth so that 108 a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
8:8 Then 109 the second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain of burning fire was thrown into the sea. A 110 third of the sea became blood, 8:9 and a third of the creatures 111 living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were completely destroyed. 112
8:10 Then 113 the third angel blew his trumpet, and a huge star burning like a torch fell from the sky; 114 it landed 115 on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 8:11 (Now 116 the name of the star is 117 Wormwood.) 118 So 119 a third of the waters became wormwood, 120 and many people died from these waters because they were poisoned. 121
8:12 Then 122 the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. And there was no light for a third of the day 123 and for a third of the night likewise. 8:13 Then 124 I looked, and I heard an 125 eagle 126 flying directly overhead, 127 proclaiming with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth because of the remaining sounds of the trumpets of the three angels who are about to blow them!” 128
9:1 Then 129 the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky 130 to the earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the abyss. 131 9:2 He 132 opened the shaft of the abyss and smoke rose out of it 133 like smoke from a giant furnace. The 134 sun and the air were darkened with smoke from the shaft. 9:3 Then 135 out of the smoke came locusts onto the earth, and they were given power 136 like that of the scorpions of the earth. 9:4 They 137 were told 138 not to damage the grass of the earth, or any green plant or tree, but only those people 139 who did not have the seal of God on their 140 forehead. 9:5 The locusts 141 were not given permission 142 to kill 143 them, but only to torture 144 them 145 for five months, and their torture was like that 146 of a scorpion when it stings a person. 147 9:6 In 148 those days people 149 will seek death, but 150 will not be able to 151 find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.
9:7 Now 152 the locusts looked like horses equipped for battle. On 153 their heads were something like crowns similar to gold, 154 and their faces looked like men’s 155 faces. 9:8 They 156 had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9:9 They had breastplates 157 like iron breastplates, and the sound of their wings was like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots charging into battle. 9:10 They have 158 tails and stingers like scorpions, and their ability 159 to injure people for five months is in their tails. 9:11 They have as king over them the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon. 160
9:12 The first woe has passed, but 161 two woes are still coming after these things!
9:13 Then 162 the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a single voice coming from the 163 horns on the golden altar that is before God, 9:14 saying to the sixth angel, the one holding 164 the trumpet, “Set free 165 the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!” 9:15 Then 166 the four angels who had been prepared for this 167 hour, day, 168 month, and year were set free to kill 169 a third of humanity. 9:16 The 170 number of soldiers on horseback was two hundred million; 171 I heard their number. 9:17 Now 172 this is what the horses and their riders 173 looked like in my 174 vision: The riders had breastplates that were fiery red, 175 dark blue, 176 and sulfurous 177 yellow in color. 178 The 179 heads of the horses looked like lions’ heads, and fire, smoke, and sulfur 180 came out of their mouths. 9:18 A third of humanity was killed by these three plagues, that is, 181 by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came out of their mouths. 9:19 For the power 182 of the horses resides 183 in their mouths and in their tails, because their tails are like snakes, having heads that inflict injuries. 9:20 The rest of humanity, who had not been killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so that they did not stop worshiping demons and idols made 184 of gold, silver, 185 bronze, stone, and wood – idols that cannot see or hear or walk about. 9:21 Furthermore, 186 they did not repent of their murders, of their magic spells, 187 of their sexual immorality, or of their stealing.
10:1 Then 188 I saw another powerful angel descending from heaven, wrapped 189 in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun and his legs were like pillars of fire. 190 10:2 He held 191 in his hand a little scroll that was open, and he put his right foot on the sea and his left on the land. 10:3 Then 192 he shouted in a loud voice like a lion roaring, and when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded their voices. 10:4 When the seven thunders spoke, I was preparing to write, but 193 just then 194 I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders spoke and do not write it down.” 10:5 Then 195 the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 10:6 and swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, and the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, “There will be no more delay! 196 10:7 But in the days 197 when the seventh angel is about to blow his trumpet, the mystery of God is completed, 198 just as he has 199 proclaimed to his servants 200 the prophets.” 10:8 Then 201 the voice I had heard from heaven began to speak 202 to me 203 again, 204 “Go and take the open 205 scroll in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 10:9 So 206 I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He 207 said to me, “Take the scroll 208 and eat it. It 209 will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” 10:10 So 210 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it did taste 211 as sweet as honey in my mouth, but 212 when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 10:11 Then 213 they 214 told me: “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, 215 languages, and kings.”
11:1 Then 216 a measuring rod 217 like a staff was given to me, and I was told, 218 “Get up and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and the ones who worship there. 11:2 But 219 do not measure the outer courtyard 220 of the temple; leave it out, 221 because it has been given to the Gentiles, 222 and they will trample on the holy city 223 for forty-two months. 11:3 And I will grant my two witnesses authority 224 to prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth. 11:4 (These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.) 225 11:5 If 226 anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths 227 and completely consumes 228 their enemies. If 229 anyone wants to harm them, they must be killed this way. 11:6 These two have the power 230 to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the time 231 they are prophesying. They 232 have power 233 to turn the waters to blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague whenever they want. 11:7 When 234 they have completed their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will make war on them and conquer 235 them and kill them. 11:8 Their 236 corpses will lie in the street 237 of the great city that is symbolically 238 called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was also crucified. 11:9 For three and a half days those from every 239 people, tribe, 240 nation, and language will look at their corpses, because they will not permit them to be placed in a tomb. 241 11:10 And those who live on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate, even sending gifts to each other, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. 11:11 But 242 after three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and tremendous fear seized 243 those who were watching them. 11:12 Then 244 they 245 heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them: “Come up here!” So the two prophets 246 went up to heaven in a cloud while 247 their enemies stared at them. 11:13 Just then 248 a major earthquake took place and a tenth of the city collapsed; seven thousand people 249 were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
11:14 The second woe has come and gone; 250 the third is coming quickly.
11:15 Then 251 the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying:
“The kingdom of the world
has become the kingdom of our Lord
and of his Christ, 252
and he will reign for ever and ever.”
11:16 Then 253 the twenty-four elders who are seated on their thrones before God threw themselves down with their faces to the ground 254 and worshiped God 11:17 with these words: 255
“We give you thanks, Lord God, the All-Powerful, 256
the one who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and begun to reign. 257
11:18 The 258 nations 259 were enraged,
but 260 your wrath has come,
and the time has come for the dead to be judged,
and the time has come to give to your servants, 261
the prophets, their reward,
as well as to the saints
and to those who revere 262 your name, both small and great,
and the time has come 263 to destroy those who destroy 264 the earth.”
11:19 Then 265 the temple of God in heaven was opened and the ark of his covenant was visible within his temple. And there were flashes of lightning, roaring, 266 crashes of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. 267
12:1 Then 268 a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and with the moon under her feet, and on her head was a crown of twelve stars. 269 12:2 She 270 was pregnant and was screaming in labor pains, struggling 271 to give birth. 12:3 Then 272 another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon that had seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadem crowns. 273 12:4 Now 274 the dragon’s 275 tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and hurled them to the earth. Then 276 the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. 12:5 So 277 the woman gave birth to a son, a male child, 278 who is going to rule 279 over all the nations 280 with an iron rod. 281 Her 282 child was suddenly caught up to God and to his throne, 12:6 and she 283 fled into the wilderness 284 where a place had been prepared for her 285 by God, so she could be taken care of 286 for 1,260 days.
12:7 Then 287 war broke out in heaven: Michael 288 and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 12:8 But 289 the dragon was not strong enough to prevail, 290 so there was no longer any place left 291 in heaven for him and his angels. 292 12:9 So 293 that huge dragon – the ancient serpent, the one called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world – was thrown down to the earth, and his angels along with him. 12:10 Then 294 I heard a loud voice in heaven saying,
“The salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the ruling authority 295 of his Christ, 296 have now come,
because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, 297
the one who accuses them day and night 298 before our God,
has been thrown down.
12:11 But 299 they overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
and they did not love their lives 300 so much that they were afraid to die.
12:12 Therefore you heavens rejoice, and all who reside in them!
But 301 woe to the earth and the sea
because the devil has come down to you!
He 302 is filled with terrible anger,
for he knows that he only has a little time!”
12:13 Now 303 when the dragon realized 304 that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 12:14 But 305 the woman was given the two wings of a giant eagle so that she could fly out into the wilderness, 306 to the place God 307 prepared for her, where she is taken care of – away from the presence of the serpent – for a time, times, and half a time. 308 12:15 Then 309 the serpent spouted water like a river out of his mouth after the woman in an attempt to 310 sweep her away by a flood, 12:16 but 311 the earth came to her rescue; 312 the ground opened up 313 and swallowed the river that the dragon had spewed from his mouth. 12:17 So 314 the dragon became enraged at the woman and went away to make war on the rest of her children, 315 those who keep 316 God’s commandments and hold to 317 the testimony about Jesus. 318 (12:18) And the dragon 319 stood 320 on the sand 321 of the seashore. 322
13:1 Then 323 I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It 324 had ten horns and seven heads, and on its horns were ten diadem crowns, 325 and on its heads a blasphemous name. 326 13:2 Now 327 the beast that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The 328 dragon gave the beast 329 his power, his throne, and great authority to rule. 330 13:3 One of the beast’s 331 heads appeared to have been killed, 332 but the lethal wound had been healed. 333 And the whole world followed 334 the beast in amazement; 13:4 they worshiped the dragon because he had given ruling authority 335 to the beast, and they worshiped the beast too, saying: “Who is like the beast?” and “Who is able to make war against him?” 336 13:5 The beast 337 was given a mouth speaking proud words 338 and blasphemies, and he was permitted 339 to exercise ruling authority 340 for forty-two months. 13:6 So 341 the beast 342 opened his mouth to blaspheme against God – to blaspheme both his name and his dwelling place, 343 that is, those who dwell in heaven. 13:7 The beast 344 was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them. 345 He was given ruling authority 346 over every tribe, people, 347 language, and nation, 13:8 and all those who live on the earth will worship the beast, 348 everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world 349 in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was killed. 350 13:9 If anyone has an ear, he had better listen!
13:10 If anyone is meant for captivity,
into captivity he will go.
If anyone is to be killed by the sword, 351
then by the sword he must be killed.
This 352 requires steadfast endurance 353 and faith from the saints.
13:11 Then 354 I saw another beast 355 coming up from the earth. He 356 had two horns like a lamb, 357 but 358 was speaking like a dragon. 13:12 He 359 exercised all the ruling authority 360 of the first beast on his behalf, 361 and made the earth and those who inhabit it worship the first beast, the one whose lethal wound had been healed. 13:13 He 362 performed momentous signs, even making fire come down from heaven in front of people 363 13:14 and, by the signs he was permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, he deceived those who live on the earth. He told 364 those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had been wounded by the sword, but still lived. 13:15 The second beast 365 was empowered 366 to give life 367 to the image of the first beast 368 so that it could speak, and could cause all those who did not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 13:16 He also caused 369 everyone (small and great, rich and poor, free and slave 370 ) to obtain a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. 13:17 Thus no one was allowed to buy 371 or sell things 372 unless he bore 373 the mark of the beast – that is, his name or his number. 374 13:18 This calls for wisdom: 375 Let the one who has insight calculate the beast’s number, for it is man’s number, 376 and his number is 666. 377
14:1 Then 378 I looked, and here was 379 the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 14:2 I also heard a sound 380 coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. Now 381 the sound I heard was like that made by harpists playing their harps, 14:3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No 382 one was able to learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.
14:4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves 383 with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from humanity as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, 14:5 and no lie was found on their lips; 384 they 385 are blameless.
14:6 Then 386 I saw another 387 angel flying directly overhead, 388 and he had 389 an eternal gospel to proclaim 390 to those who live 391 on the earth – to every nation, tribe, 392 language, and people. 14:7 He declared 393 in a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!”
14:8 A 394 second 395 angel 396 followed the first, 397 declaring: 398 “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great city! 399 She made all the nations 400 drink of the wine of her immoral passion.” 401
14:9 A 402 third angel 403 followed the first two, 404 declaring 405 in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, 14:10 that person 406 will also drink of the wine of God’s anger 407 that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulfur 408 in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb. 14:11 And the smoke from their 409 torture will go up 410 forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have 411 no rest day or night, along with 412 anyone who receives the mark of his name.” 14:12 This requires 413 the steadfast endurance 414 of the saints – those who obey 415 God’s commandments and hold to 416 their faith in Jesus. 417
14:13 Then 418 I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this:
‘Blessed are the dead,
those who die in the Lord from this moment on!’”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they can rest from their hard work, 419 because their deeds will follow them.” 420
14:14 Then 421 I looked, and a white cloud appeared, 422 and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man! 423 He had 424 a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 14:15 Then 425 another angel came out of the temple, shouting in a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud, “Use 426 your sickle and start to reap, 427 because the time to reap has come, since the earth’s harvest is ripe!” 14:16 So 428 the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.
14:17 Then 429 another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 14:18 Another 430 angel, who was in charge of 431 the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to the angel 432 who had the sharp sickle, “Use 433 your sharp sickle and gather 434 the clusters of grapes 435 off the vine of the earth, 436 because its grapes 437 are now ripe.” 438 14:19 So 439 the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the grapes from the vineyard 440 of the earth and tossed them into the great 441 winepress of the wrath of God. 14:20 Then 442 the winepress was stomped 443 outside the city, and blood poured out of the winepress up to the height of horses’ bridles 444 for a distance of almost two hundred miles. 445
15:1 Then 446 I saw another great and astounding sign in heaven: seven angels who have seven final plagues 447 (they are final because in them God’s anger is completed).
15:2 Then 448 I saw something like a sea of glass 449 mixed with fire, and those who had conquered 450 the beast and his image and the number of his name. They were standing 451 by 452 the sea of glass, holding harps given to them by God. 453 15:3 They 454 sang the song of Moses the servant 455 of God and the song of the Lamb: 456
“Great and astounding are your deeds,
Lord God, the All-Powerful! 457
Just 458 and true are your ways,
King over the nations! 459
15:4 Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and glorify 460 your name, because you alone are holy? 461
All nations 462 will come and worship before you
for your righteous acts 463 have been revealed.”
15:5 After 464 these things I looked, and the temple (the tent 465 of the testimony) 466 was opened in heaven, 15:6 and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, dressed in clean bright linen, wearing wide golden belts 467 around their chests. 15:7 Then 468 one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath 469 of God who lives forever and ever, 15:8 and the temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and from his power. Thus 470 no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues from the seven angels were completed.
16:1 Then 471 I heard a loud voice from the temple declaring to the seven angels: “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls containing God’s wrath.” 472 16:2 So 473 the first angel 474 went and poured out his bowl on the earth. Then 475 ugly and painful sores 476 appeared on the people 477 who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
16:3 Next, 478 the second angel 479 poured out his bowl on the sea and it turned into blood, like that of a corpse, and every living creature that was in the sea died.
16:4 Then 480 the third angel 481 poured out his bowl on the rivers and the springs of water, and they turned into blood. 16:5 Now 482 I heard the angel of the waters saying:
“You are just 483 – the one who is and who was,
the Holy One – because you have passed these judgments, 484
16:6 because they poured out the blood of your saints and prophets,
so 485 you have given them blood to drink. They got what they deserved!” 486
16:7 Then 487 I heard the altar reply, 488 “Yes, Lord God, the All-Powerful, 489 your judgments are true and just!”
16:8 Then 490 the fourth angel 491 poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was permitted to scorch people 492 with fire. 16:9 Thus 493 people 494 were scorched by the terrible heat, 495 yet 496 they blasphemed the name of God, who has ruling authority 497 over these plagues, and they would not repent and give him glory.
16:10 Then 498 the fifth angel 499 poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast so that 500 darkness covered his kingdom, 501 and people 502 began to bite 503 their tongues because 504 of their pain. 16:11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their sufferings 505 and because of their sores, 506 but nevertheless 507 they still refused to repent 508 of their deeds.
16:12 Then 509 the sixth angel 510 poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and dried up its water 511 to prepare the way 512 for the kings from the east. 513 16:13 Then 514 I saw three unclean spirits 515 that looked 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. 16:14 For they are the spirits of the demons performing signs who go out to the kings of the earth 516 to bring them together for the battle that will take place on the great day of God, the All-Powerful. 517
16:15 (Look! I will come like a thief!
Blessed is the one who stays alert and does not lose 518 his clothes so that he will not have to walk around naked and his shameful condition 519 be seen.) 520
16:16 Now 521 the spirits 522 gathered the kings and their armies 523 to the place that is called Armageddon 524 in Hebrew.
16:17 Finally 525 the seventh angel 526 poured out his bowl into the air and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying: “It is done!” 16:18 Then 527 there were flashes of lightning, roaring, 528 and crashes of thunder, and there was a tremendous earthquake – an earthquake unequaled since humanity 529 has been on the earth, so tremendous was that earthquake. 16:19 The 530 great city was split into three parts and the cities of the nations 531 collapsed. 532 So 533 Babylon the great was remembered before God, and was given the cup 534 filled with the wine made of God’s furious wrath. 535 16:20 Every 536 island fled away 537 and no mountains could be found. 538 16:21 And gigantic hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds 539 each, fell from heaven 540 on people, 541 but they 542 blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, since it 543 was so horrendous. 544
17:1 Then 545 one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke to me. 546 “Come,” he said, “I will show you the condemnation and punishment 547 of the great prostitute who sits on many waters, 17:2 with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality and the earth’s inhabitants got drunk with the wine of her immorality.” 548 17:3 So 549 he carried me away in the Spirit 550 to a wilderness, 551 and there 552 I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 17:4 Now 553 the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet clothing, 554 and adorned with gold, 555 precious stones, and pearls. She held 556 in her hand a golden cup filled with detestable things and unclean things from her sexual immorality. 557 17:5 On 558 her forehead was written a name, a mystery: 559 “Babylon the Great, the Mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth.” 17:6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of those who testified to Jesus. 560 I 561 was greatly astounded 562 when I saw her. 17:7 But 563 the angel said to me, “Why are you astounded? I will interpret 564 for you the mystery of the woman and of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns that carries her. 17:8 The beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss 565 and then go to destruction. The 566 inhabitants of the earth – all those whose names have not been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world – will be astounded when they see that 567 the beast was, and is not, but is to come. 17:9 (This requires 568 a mind that has wisdom.) The seven heads are seven mountains 569 the woman sits on. They are also seven kings: 17:10 five have fallen; one is, 570 and the other has not yet come, but whenever he does come, he must remain for only a brief time. 17:11 The 571 beast that was, and is not, is himself an eighth king and yet is one of the seven, and is going to destruction. 17:12 The 572 ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive ruling authority 573 as kings with the beast for one hour. 17:13 These kings 574 have a single intent, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 17:14 They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those accompanying 575 the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful.”
17:15 Then 576 the angel 577 said to me, “The waters you saw (where the prostitute is seated) are peoples, multitudes, 578 nations, and languages. 17:16 The 579 ten horns that you saw, and the beast – these will hate the prostitute and make her desolate and naked. They 580 will consume her flesh and burn her up with fire. 581 17:17 For God has put into their minds 582 to carry out his purpose 583 by making 584 a decision 585 to give their royal power 586 to the beast until the words of God are fulfilled. 587 17:18 As for 588 the woman you saw, she is the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth.”
18:1 After these things I saw another angel, who possessed great authority, coming down out of heaven, and the earth was lit up by his radiance. 589 18:2 He 590 shouted with a powerful voice:
“Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great!
She 591 has become a lair for demons,
a haunt 592 for every unclean spirit,
a haunt for every unclean bird,
a haunt for every unclean and detested beast. 593
18:3 For all the nations 594 have fallen 595 from
the wine of her immoral passion, 596
and the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her,
and the merchants of the earth have gotten rich from the power of her sensual behavior.” 597
18:4 Then 598 I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, so you will not take part in her sins and so you will not receive her plagues, 18:5 because her sins have piled 599 up all the way to heaven 600 and God has remembered 601 her crimes. 602 18:6 Repay her the same way she repaid others; 603 pay her back double 604 corresponding to her deeds. In the cup she mixed, mix double the amount for her. 18:7 As much as 605 she exalted herself and lived in sensual luxury, 606 to this extent give her torment and grief because she said to herself, 607 ‘I rule as queen and am no widow; I will never experience grief!’ 18:8 For this reason, she will experience her plagues 608 in a single day: disease, 609 mourning, 610 and famine, and she will be burned down 611 with fire, because the Lord God who judges her is powerful!”
18:9 Then 612 the kings of the earth who committed immoral acts with her and lived in sensual luxury 613 with her will weep and wail for her when they see the smoke from the fire that burns her up. 614 18:10 They will stand a long way off because they are afraid of her torment, and will say,
“Woe, woe, O great city,
Babylon the powerful city!
For in a single hour your doom 615 has come!”
18:11 Then 616 the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn for her because no one buys their cargo 617 any longer – 18:12 cargo such as gold, silver, 618 precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, 619 scarlet cloth, 620 all sorts of things made of citron wood, 621 all sorts of objects made of ivory, all sorts of things made of expensive wood, bronze, iron and marble, 18:13 cinnamon, spice, 622 incense, perfumed ointment, 623 frankincense, 624 wine, olive oil and costly flour, 625 wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and four-wheeled carriages, 626 slaves and human lives. 627
18:14 (The ripe fruit 628 you greatly desired 629
has gone from you,
and all your luxury 630 and splendor 631
have gone from you –
they will never ever be found again!) 632
18:15 The merchants who sold 633 these things, who got rich from her, will stand a long way off because they are afraid of her torment. They will weep 634 and mourn, 18:16 saying,
“Woe, woe, O great city –
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet clothing, 635
and adorned with gold, 636 precious stones, and pearls –
18:17 because in a single hour such great wealth has been destroyed!” 637
And every ship’s captain, 638 and all who sail along the coast 639 – seamen, and all who 640 make their living from the sea, stood a long way off 18:18 and began to shout 641 when they saw the smoke from the fire that burned her up, 642 “Who is like the great city?” 18:19 And they threw dust on their heads and were shouting with weeping and mourning, 643
“Woe, Woe, O great city –
in which all those who had ships on the sea got rich from her wealth –
because in a single hour she has been destroyed!” 644
18:20 (Rejoice over her, O heaven,
and you saints and apostles and prophets,
for God has pronounced judgment 645 against her on your behalf!) 646
18:21 Then 647 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 648
Babylon the great city will be thrown down 649
and it will never be found again!
18:22 And the sound of the harpists, musicians,
flute players, and trumpeters
will never be heard in you 650 again.
No 651 craftsman 652 who practices any trade
will ever be found in you again;
the noise of a mill 653 will never be heard in you again.
18:23 Even the light from a lamp
will never shine in you again!
The voices of the bridegroom and his bride
will never be heard in you again.
For your merchants were the tycoons of the world,
because all the nations 654 were deceived by your magic spells! 655
18:24 The 656 blood of the saints and prophets was found in her, 657
along with the blood 658 of all those who had been killed on the earth.”
19:1 After these things I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a vast throng in heaven, saying,
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
19:2 because his judgments are true and just. 659
For he has judged 660 the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality,
and has avenged the blood of his servants 661 poured out by her own hands!” 662
19:3 Then 663 a second time the crowd shouted, “Hallelujah!” The smoke rises from her forever and ever. 664 19:4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures threw themselves to the ground 665 and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne, saying: “Amen! Hallelujah!”
19:5 Then 666 a voice came from the throne, saying:
“Praise our God
all you his servants,
and all you who fear Him,
both the small and the great!”
19:6 Then 667 I heard what sounded like the voice of a vast throng, like the roar of many waters and like loud crashes of thunder. They were shouting: 668
“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God, 669 the All-Powerful, 670 reigns!
19:7 Let us rejoice 671 and exult
and give him glory,
because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
19:8 She was permitted to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen” 672 (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints). 673
19:9 Then 674 the angel 675 said to me, “Write the following: Blessed are those who are invited to the banquet at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!” He also said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 19:10 So 676 I threw myself down 677 at his feet to worship him, but 678 he said, “Do not do this! 679 I am only 680 a fellow servant 681 with you and your brothers 682 who hold to the testimony about 683 Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
19:11 Then 684 I saw heaven opened and here came 685 a white horse! The 686 one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice 687 he judges and goes to war. 19:12 His eyes are like a fiery 688 flame and there are many diadem crowns 689 on his head. He has 690 a name written 691 that no one knows except himself. 19:13 He is dressed in clothing dipped 692 in blood, and he is called 693 the Word of God. 19:14 The 694 armies that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen, 695 were following him on white horses. 19:15 From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations. 696 He 697 will rule 698 them with an iron rod, 699 and he stomps the winepress 700 of the furious 701 wrath of God, the All-Powerful. 702 19:16 He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
19:17 Then 703 I saw one angel standing in 704 the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying high in the sky: 705
“Come, gather around for the great banquet 706 of God,
19:18 to eat 707 your fill 708 of the flesh of kings,
the flesh of generals, 709
the flesh of powerful people,
the flesh of horses and those who ride them,
and the flesh of all people, both free and slave, 710
and small and great!”
19:19 Then 711 I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with his army. 19:20 Now 712 the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf 713 – signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur. 714 19:21 The 715 others were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged 716 themselves with their flesh.
20:1 Then 717 I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding 718 in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. 20:2 He 719 seized the dragon – the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan – and tied him up for a thousand years. 20:3 The angel 720 then 721 threw him into the abyss and locked 722 and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)
20:4 Then 723 I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge. 724 I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These 725 had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They 726 came to life 727 and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 20:5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished.) 728 This is the first resurrection. 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who takes part 729 in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, 730 but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
20:7 Now 731 when the thousand years are finished, Satan will be released from his prison 20:8 and will go out to deceive 732 the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, 733 to bring them together for the battle. They are as numerous as the grains of sand in the sea. 734 20:9 They 735 went up 736 on the broad plain of the earth 737 and encircled 738 the camp 739 of the saints and the beloved city, but 740 fire came down from heaven and devoured them completely. 741 20:10 And the devil who deceived 742 them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, 743 where the beast and the false prophet are 744 too, and they will be tormented there day and night forever and ever.
20:11 Then 745 I saw a large 746 white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven 747 fled 748 from his presence, and no place was found for them. 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then 749 books were opened, and another book was opened – the book of life. 750 So 751 the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. 752 20:13 The 753 sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death 754 and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds. 20:14 Then 755 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death – the lake of fire. 20:15 If 756 anyone’s name 757 was not found written in the book of life, that person 758 was thrown into the lake of fire.
1 tn Grk “saying like a voice [or sound] of thunder.”
2 tc The addition of “and see” (καὶ ἴδε or καὶ βλέπε [kai ide or kai blepe]) to “come” (ἔρχου, ercou) in 6:1, 3-5, 7 is a gloss directed to John, i.e., “come and look at the seals and the horsemen!” But the command ἔρχου is better interpreted as directed to each of the horsemen. The shorter reading also has the support of the better witnesses.
3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of hearing the voice summon the first rider.
4 tc The reading “and I looked” (καὶ εἶδον, kai eidon) or some slight variation (e.g., ἶδον, idon) has excellent ms support ({א A C P 1611}) and its omission seems to come through the
5 tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
6 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
7 tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
sn The one who rode it. The identity of the first rider on the white horse has been discussed at great length by interpreters. Several answers are given: (1) A number understand the rider on the white horse to be Christ himself, identifying this horse and rider with the one mentioned in 19:11, where the identification is clear (cf. 19:13, 16). It must be noted, though, that there is little in common between the two riders beyond the white horse. The word for “crown” is different, the armament is different, and the context here is different (conquest vs. retribution), with three other horsemen bringing catastrophe following. (2) Others see the rider on the white horse representing a spirit of military conquest that dominates human history and leads to the catastrophes that follow. (3) Another possibility is that the white horse rider represents the Antichrist, who appears later in Rev 11:7; 13:17, and whose similarity to Christ explains the similarity with the rider in 19:11. This interpretation has been discussed at length by M. Rissi, “The Rider on the White Horse: A Study of Revelation 6:1-8,” Int 18 (1964): 407-18. This interpretation is the most probable one.
8 sn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11.
9 tn The participle νικῶν (nikwn) has been translated as substantival, the subject of the verb ἐξῆλθεν (exhlqen). Otherwise, as an adverbial participle of manner, it is somewhat redundant: “he rode out conquering and to conquer.”
10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
11 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the Lamb) has been specified in the translation for clarity here and throughout the rest of the chapter.
12 tn L&N 79.31 states, “‘fiery red’ (probably with a tinge of yellow or orange).”
13 tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
14 tn The word “permission” is implied; Grk “it was given to him to take peace from the earth.”
15 tn BDAG 979 s.v. σφάζω states, “Of the killing of a person by violence…σφάζειν τινά butcher or murder someone (4 Km 10:7; Jer 52:10; Manetho: 609 fgm. 8, 76 Jac. [in Jos., C. Ap. 1, 76]; Demetr.[?]: 722 fgm. 7; Ar. 10, 9) 1J 3:12; Rv 6:4. Pass. (Hdt. 5, 5) 5:9; 6:9; 18:24.”
16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
17 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the summons by the third creature.
18 tc The reading “and I looked” (καὶ εἶδον, kai eidon) or some slight variation (e.g., ἶδον, idon) has excellent ms support ({א A C P 1611}) and its omission seems to have come through the
19 tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
20 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
21 tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
22 sn A balance scale would have been a rod held by a rope in the middle with pans attached to both ends for measuring.
23 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
24 tn BDAG 1086 s.v. χοῖνιξ states, “a dry measure, oft. used for grain, approximately equivalent to one quart or one liter, quart. A χ.of grain was a daily ration for one pers.…Rv 6:6ab.”
25 tn Grk “a quart of wheat for a denarius.” A denarius was one day’s pay for an average worker. The words “will cost” are used to indicate the genitive of price or value; otherwise the English reader could understand the phrase to mean “a quart of wheat to be given as a day’s pay.”
26 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
27 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
28 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the summons by the fourth creature.
29 tc The reading “and I looked” (καὶ εἶδον, kai eidon) or some slight variation (e.g., ἶδον, idon) has excellent ms support ({א A C P 1611}) and its omission seems to have come through the
30 tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
31 tn A sickly pallor, when referring to persons, or the green color of plants. BDAG 1085 s.v. χλωρός 2 states, “pale, greenish gray…as the color of a pers. in sickness contrasted with appearance in health…so the horse ridden by Death…ἵππος χλωρός Rv 6:8.” Because the color of the horse is symbolic, “pale green” is used in the translation. Cf. NIV, NCV “pale”; NASB “ashen.”
32 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
33 tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
34 tn Grk “And Hades was following with him.” The Greek expression μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ (met’ autou, “with him”) is Semitic and indicates close proximity. The translation “followed right behind” reflects this.
35 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
36 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
37 tn Grk “with death.” θάνατος (qanatos) can in particular contexts refer to a manner of death, specifically a contagious disease (see BDAG 443 s.v. 3; L&N 23.158).
38 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of a new and somewhat different topic after the introduction of the four riders.
39 tn Or “murdered.” See the note on the word “butcher” in 6:4.
40 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
41 tn Grk “voice, saying”; the participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated here.
42 tn The expression ἕως πότε (ews pote) was translated “how long.” Cf. BDAG 423 s.v. ἕως 1.b.γ.
43 tn The Greek term here is δεσπότης (despoths; see L&N 37.63).
44 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
45 tn Grk “until they had been completed.” The idea of a certain “number” of people is implied by the subject of πληρωθῶσιν (plhrwqwsin).
46 tn Though σύνδουλος (sundoulos) has been translated “fellow servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
47 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
48 tn Or “powerful”; Grk “a great.”
49 tn Or “like hairy sackcloth” (L&N 8.13).
50 tn Grk “like blood,” understanding αἷμα (aima) as a blood-red color rather than actual blood (L&N 8.64).
51 tn Or “in heaven” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”). The genitive τοῦ οὐρανοῦ (tou ouranou) is taken as a genitive of place.
52 tn Grk “throws [off]”; the indicative verb has been translated as a participle due to English style.
53 tn L&N 3.37 states, “a fig produced late in the summer season (and often falling off before it ripens) – ‘late fig.’ ὡς συκὴ βάλλει τοὺς ὀλύνθους αὐτῆς ὑπὸ ἀνέμου μεγάλου σειομένη ‘as the fig tree sheds its late figs when shaken by a great wind’ Re 6:13. In the only context in which ὄλυνθος occurs in the NT (Re 6:13), one may employ an expression such as ‘unripe fig’ or ‘fig which ripens late.’”
54 tn Grk “great wind.”
55 tn Or “The heavens were.” The Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) can mean either “heaven” or “sky.”
56 tn BDAG 125 s.v. ἀποχωρίζω states, “ὁ οὐρανὸς ἀπεχωρίσθη the sky was split Rv 6:14.” Although L&N 79.120 gives the meaning “the sky disappeared like a rolled-up scroll” here, a scroll that is rolled up does not “disappear,” and such a translation could be difficult for modern readers to understand.
57 tn On this term BDAG 317 s.v. ἑλίσσω states, “ὡς βιβλίον ἑλισσόμενον like a scroll that is rolled up…Rv 6:14.”
58 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
59 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated; nor is it translated before each of the following categories, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
60 tn Grk “chiliarchs.” A chiliarch was normally a military officer commanding a thousand soldiers, but here probably used of higher-ranking commanders like generals (see L&N 55.15; cf. Rev 6:15).
61 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
62 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.
63 tn It is difficult to say where this quotation ends. The translation ends it after “withstand it” at the end of v. 17, but it is possible that it should end here, after “Lamb” at the end of v. 16. If it ends after “Lamb,” v. 17 is a parenthetical explanation by the author.
64 tc Most
65 tn The translation “to withstand (it)” for ἵστημι (Jisthmi) is based on the imagery of holding one’s ground in a military campaign or an attack (BDAG 482 s.v. B.4).
66 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
67 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.”
68 tn Grk “having,” but v. 3 makes it clear that the angel’s purpose is to seal others with the seal he carries.
69 tn Or “signet” (L&N 6.54).
70 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.
71 tn The word “permission” is implied; Grk “to whom it was given to them to damage the earth.”
72 tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
73 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
74 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of new but related material.
75 tn Grk “who were sealed.”
76 tn Normally, “every,” but since 144,000 is the total number, “all” is clearer here.
77 tn Grk “the sons of Israel,” normally an idiom for the Israelites as an ethnic entity (L&N 11.58). However, many scholars understand the expression in this context to refer to Christians rather than ethnic Israelites.
78 tn The phrase “and here was” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
79 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated before each of the following categories, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
80 tn The dative here has been translated as a dative of possession.
81 tn The verb is pluperfect, but the force is simple past. See ExSyn 586.
82 tn Grk “they fell down on their faces.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
83 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
84 tn Grk “spoke” or “declared to,” but in the context “asked” reads more naturally in English.
85 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the previous question.
86 tn Though the expression “the answer” is not in the Greek text, it is clearly implied. Direct objects in Greek were frequently omitted when clear from the context.
87 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
88 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.
89 tn Or “worship.” The word here is λατρεύω (latreuw).
90 tn Grk “will spread his tent over them,” normally an idiom for taking up residence with someone, but when combined with the preposition ἐπί (epi, “over”) the idea is one of extending protection or shelter (BDAG 929 s.v. σκηνόω).
91 tn An allusion to Isa 49:10. The phrase “burning heat” is one word in Greek (καῦμα, kauma) that refers to a burning, intensely-felt heat. See BDAG 536 s.v.
92 sn An allusion to Isa 25:8.
93 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the resumption of the topic of the seals.
94 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the Lamb) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
95 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
96 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
97 tn Grk “having.”
98 sn A golden censer was a bowl in which incense was burned. The imagery suggests the OT role of the priest.
99 tn The verb “to station” was used to translate ἑστάθη (Jestaqh) because it connotes the idea of purposeful arrangement in English, which seems to be the idea in the Greek.
100 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.
101 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
102 tn The expression τῶν θυμιαμάτων (twn qumiamatwn) is taken as a “genitive of producer,” i.e., the noun in the genitive produces the head noun.
103 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
104 tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”
105 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
106 tn Grk “having.”
107 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
108 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so that” because what follows has the logical force of a result clause.
109 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
110 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
111 tn Or “a third of the living creatures in the sea”; Grk “the third of the creatures which were in the sea, the ones having life.”
112 tn On the term translated “completely destroyed,” L&N 20.40 states, “to cause the complete destruction of someone or something – ‘to destroy utterly.’ τὸ τρίτον τῶν πλοίων διεφθάρησαν ‘a third of the ships were completely destroyed’ Re 8:9.”
113 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
114 tn Or “from heaven” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
115 tn Grk “fell.”
116 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” in keeping with the parenthetical nature of this remark.
117 tn Grk “is called,” but this is somewhat redundant in contemporary English.
118 sn Wormwood refers to a particularly bitter herb with medicinal value. According to L&N 3.21, “The English term wormwood is derived from the use of the plant as a medicine to kill intestinal worms.” This remark about the star’s name is parenthetical in nature.
119 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the star falling on the waters.
120 tn That is, terribly bitter (see the note on “Wormwood” earlier in this verse).
121 tn Grk “and many of the men died from these waters because they were bitter.”
122 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
123 tn Grk “the day did not shine [with respect to] the third of it.”
124 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
125 tn Grk “one eagle.”
126 tc ÏA reads “angel” (ἀγγέλου, angelou) instead of “eagle” (ἀετοῦ, aetou), a reading strongly supported by {א A 046 ÏK and several versions}. On external grounds, ἀετοῦ is clearly the superior reading. ἀγγέλου could have arisen inadvertently due to similarities in spelling or sound between ἀετοῦ and ἀγγέλου. It may also have been intentional in order to bring this statement in line with 14:6 where an angel is mentioned as the one flying in midair. This seems a more likely reason, strengthened by the facts that the book only mentions eagles two other times (4:7; 12:14). Further, the immediate as well as broad context is replete with references to angels.
127 tn Concerning the word μεσουράνημα (mesouranhma), L&N 1.10 states, “a point or region of the sky directly above the earth – ‘high in the sky, midpoint in the sky, directly overhead, straight above in the sky.’ εἶδον, καὶ ἤκουσα ἑνὸς ἁετοῦ πετομένου ἐν μεσουρανήματι ‘I looked, and I heard an eagle that was flying overhead in the sky’ Re 8:13.”
128 tn Grk “about to sound their trumpets,” but this is redundant in English.
129 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
130 tn Or “from heaven” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
131 tn On this term BDAG 2 s.v. ἄβυσσος 2 states, “netherworld, abyss, esp. the abode of the dead Ro 10:7 (Ps 106:26) and of demons Lk 8:31; dungeon where the devil is kept Rv 20:3; abode of the θηρίον, the Antichrist 11:7; 17:8; of ᾿Αβαδδών (q.v.), the angel of the underworld 9:11…φρέαρ τῆς ἀ. 9:1f; capable of being sealed 9:1; 20:1, 3.”
132 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
133 tn Grk “the shaft,” but since this would be somewhat redundant in English, the pronoun “it” is used here.
134 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
135 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
136 tn See BDAG 352 s.v. ἐξουσία 2, “potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power.”
137 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
138 tn The dative indirect object (αὐταῖς, autais) was converted into the subject (“they”) as this more closely approximates English usage. The following ἵ῞να (Jina) is taken as substantival, introducing a direct object clause. In this case, because it is reported speech, the ἵνα is similar to the declarative ὅτι (Joti).
139 tn Grk “men”; but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense here of both men and women.
140 tn The article τῶν (twn) has been translated as a possessive pronoun here (ExSyn 215).
141 tn Grk “It was not permitted to them”; the referent (the locusts) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
142 tn The word “permission” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
143 tn The two ἵνα (Jina) clauses of 9:5 are understood to be functioning as epexegetical or complementary clauses related to ἐδόθη (edoqh).
144 tn On this term BDAG 168 s.v. βασανισμός states, “1. infliction of severe suffering or pain associated with torture or torment, tormenting, torture Rv 9:5b. – 2. the severe pain experienced through torture, torment vs. 5a; 14:11; 18:10, 15; (w. πένθος) vs. 7.”
145 tn The pronoun “them” is not in the Greek text but is picked up from the previous clause.
146 tn Grk “like the torture,” but this is redundant in contemporary English.
147 tn Grk “a man”; but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used here in an individualized sense without being limited to the male gender.
148 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
149 tn Grk “men”; but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense here of both men and women.
150 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
151 tn The phrase “not be able to” was used in the translation to emphasize the strong negation (οὐ μή, ou mh) in the Greek text.
152 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of the description of the locusts, which is somewhat parenthetical in the narrative.
153 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
154 tn The translation attempts to bring out the double uncertainty in this clause in the Greek text, involving both the form (ὡς στέφανοι, Jw" stefanoi, “like crowns”) and the material (ὅμοιοι χρυσῷ, {omoioi crusw, “similar to gold”).
155 tn Or “human faces.” The Greek term ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpos) is often used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women. However, because “women’s hair” in the next clause suggests a possible gender distinction here, “men’s” was retained.
156 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
157 tn Or perhaps, “scales like iron breastplates” (RSV, NRSV) although the Greek term θώραξ (qwrax) would have to shift its meaning within the clause, and elsewhere in biblical usage (e.g., Eph 6:14; 1 Thess 5:8) it normally means “breastplate.” See also L&N 8.38.
158 tn In the Greek text there is a shift to the present tense here; the previous verbs translated “had” are imperfects.
159 tn See BDAG 352 s.v. ἐξουσία 2, “potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power.”
160 sn Both the Hebrew Abaddon and the Greek Apollyon mean “Destroyer.”
161 tn Grk “behold.” Here ἰδού (idou) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in the context.
162 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
163 tc ‡ Several key
164 tn Grk “having.”
165 tn On λῦσον (luson) BDAG 606-7 s.v. λύω 2 states, “set free, loose, untie – a. lit. a pers., animal, or thing that is bound or tied…Angels that are bound Rv 9:14f.”
166 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
167 tn The Greek article τήν (thn) has been translated with demonstrative force here.
168 tn The Greek term καί (kai) has not been translated here and before the following term “month” since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
169 tn Grk “so that they might kill,” but the English infinitive is an equivalent construction to indicate purpose here.
170 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
171 tn Grk “twenty thousand of ten thousands.”
172 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of the description of the horses and riders, which is somewhat parenthetical in the narrative.
173 tn Grk “and those seated on them.”
174 tn Grk “the vision”; the Greek article has been translated as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
175 tn L&N 79.31 states, “‘fiery red’ (probably with a tinge of yellow or orange).”
176 tn On this term BDAG 1022 s.v. ὑακίνθινος states, “hyacinth-colored, i.e. dark blue (dark red?) w. πύρινος Rv 9:17.”
177 tn On this term BDAG 446 s.v. θειώδης states, “sulphurous Rv 9:17.”
178 sn The colors of the riders’ breastplates parallel the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur in v. 18.
179 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
180 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
181 tn The phrase ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς καὶ τοῦ καπνοῦ καὶ τοῦ θείου τοῦ ἐκπορευομένου ἐκ τῶν στομάτων αὐτῶν (“by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came out of their mouths”) is taken as epexegetical (explanatory) to the phrase τῶν τριῶν πληγῶν τούτων (“these three plagues”).
182 tn See BDAG 352 s.v. ἐξουσία 2, “potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power.”
183 tn Grk “is.”
184 tn The word “made” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
185 tn The Greek conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here or before the following materials in this list, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
186 tn Grk “and.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation, with “furthermore” used to indicate a continuation of the preceding.
187 tn On the term φαρμακεία (farmakeia, “magic spells”) see L&N 53.100: “the use of magic, often involving drugs and the casting of spells upon people – ‘to practice magic, to cast spells upon, to engage in sorcery, magic, sorcery.’ φαρμακεία: ἐν τῇ φαρμακείᾳ σου ἐπλανήθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ‘with your magic spells you deceived all the peoples (of the world)’ Re 18:23.”
188 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
189 tn Or “clothed.”
190 tn Or “like fiery pillars,” translating πυρός (puros) as an attributive genitive.
191 tn Grk “and having.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the pronoun “he.”
192 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
193 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
194 tn The words “just then” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
195 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
196 tn On this phrase see BDAG 1092 s.v. χρόνος.
197 tn Grk “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel.”
198 tn The aorist ἐτελέσθη (etelesqh) has been translated as a proleptic (futuristic) aorist (ExSyn 564 cites this verse as an example).
199 tn The time of the action described by the aorist εὐηγγέλισεν (euhngelisen) seems to be past with respect to the aorist passive ἐτελέσθη (etelesqh). This does not require that the prophets in view here be OT prophets. They may actually refer to the martyrs in the church (so G. B. Caird, Revelation [HNTC], 129).
200 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
201 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
202 tn The participle λαλοῦσαν (lalousan) has been translated as “began to speak.” The use of πάλιν (palin) indicates an ingressive idea.
203 tn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (met’ emou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.”
204 tn Grk “again, saying.” The participle λέγουσαν (legousan) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
205 tn The perfect passive participle ἠνεῳγμένον (hnewgmenon) is in second attributive position and has been translated as an attributive adjective.
206 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the instructions given by the voice.
207 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
208 tn The words “the scroll” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
209 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
210 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the instructions given by the angel.
211 tn Grk “it was.” The idea of taste is implied.
212 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
213 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
214 tn The referent of “they” is not clear in the Greek text.
215 tn Grk “and nations,” but καί (kai) has not been translated here or before the next item since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
216 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
217 tn Grk “a reed” (but these were used for measuring). Cf. Ezek 40:3ff.
218 tn Grk “saying.”
219 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
220 tn On the term αὐλήν (aulhn) BDAG 150 s.v. αὐλή 1 states, “(outer) court of the temple…Rv 11:2.”
221 tn The precise meaning of the phrase ἔκβαλε ἔξωθεν (ekbale exwqen) is difficult to determine.
222 tn Or “to the nations” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
223 sn The holy city appears to be a reference to Jerusalem. See also Luke 21:24.
224 tn The word “authority” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. “Power” would be another alternative that could be supplied here.
225 sn This description is parenthetical in nature.
226 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
227 tn This is a collective singular in Greek.
228 tn See L&N 20.45 for the translation of κατεσθίω (katesqiw) as “to destroy utterly, to consume completely.”
229 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
230 tn Or “authority.”
231 tn Grk “the days.”
232 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.
233 tn Or “authority.”
234 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
235 tn Or “be victorious over”; traditionally, “overcome.”
236 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
237 tn The Greek word πλατεῖα (plateia) refers to a major (broad) street (L&N 1.103).
238 tn Grk “spiritually.”
239 tn The word “every” is not in the Greek text, but is implied by the following list.
240 tn The Greek term καί (kai) has not been translated before this and the following items in the list, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
241 tn Or “to be buried.”
242 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
243 tn Grk “fell upon.”
244 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
245 tn Though the nearest antecedent to the subject of ἤκουσαν (hkousan) is the people (“those who were watching them”), it could also be (based on what immediately follows) that the two prophets are the ones who heard the voice.
246 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the two prophets) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
247 tn The conjunction καί (kai) seems to be introducing a temporal clause contemporaneous in time with the preceding clause.
248 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
249 tn Grk “seven thousand names of men.”
250 tn Grk “has passed.”
251 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
252 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
253 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
254 tn Grk “they fell down on their faces.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
255 tn Grk “saying.”
256 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π. …Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
257 tn The aorist verb ἐβασίλευσας (ebasileusa") has been translated ingressively.
258 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
259 tn Or “The Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
260 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
261 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
262 tn Grk “who fear.”
263 tn The words “the time has come” do not occur except at the beginning of the verse; the phrase has been repeated for emphasis and contrast. The Greek has one finite verb (“has come”) with a compound subject (“your wrath,” “the time”), followed by three infinitive clauses (“to be judged,” “to give,” “to destroy”). The rhetorical power of the repetition of the finite verb in English thus emulates the rhetorical power of its lone instance in Greek.
264 tn Or “who deprave.” There is a possible wordplay here on two meanings for διαφθείρω (diafqeirw), with the first meaning “destroy” and the second meaning either “to ruin” or “to make morally corrupt.” See L&N 20.40.
265 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence on events within the vision.
266 tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”
267 tn Although BDAG 1075 s.v. χάλαζα gives the meaning “hail” here, it is not clear whether the adjective μεγάλη (megalh) refers to the intensity of the storm or the size of the individual hailstones, or both.
268 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
269 sn Sun…moon…stars. This imagery is frequently identified with the nation Israel because of Joseph’s dream in Gen 37.
270 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
271 tn Grk “and being tortured,” though βασανίζω (basanizw) in this context refers to birth pangs. BDAG 168 s.v. 2.b states, “Of birth-pangs (Anth. Pal. 9, 311 βάσανος has this mng.) Rv 12:2.” The καί (kai) has not been translated.
272 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
273 tn For the translation of διάδημα (diadhma) as “diadem crown” see L&N 6.196.
sn Diadem crowns were a type of crown used as a symbol of the highest ruling authority in a given area, and thus often associated with kingship.
274 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate that this remark is virtually parenthetical.
275 tn Grk “its”; the referent (the dragon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
276 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
277 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the conclusion of the anticipated birth.
278 tn On this term BDAG 135 s.v. ἄρσην states: “male…The neut. ἄρσεν Rv 12:5, difft. vs. 13, comes fr. Is 66:7 and is in apposition to υἱόν. On the juxtaposition s. FBoll, ZNW 15, 1914, 253; BOlsson, Glotta 23, ’34, 112.”
279 tn Grk “shepherd.”
280 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
281 tn Or “scepter.” The Greek term ῥάβδος (rJabdo") can mean either “rod” or “scepter.”
sn An allusion to Ps 2:9 (see also Rev 2:27; 19:15).
282 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
283 tn Grk “and the woman,” which would be somewhat redundant in English.
284 tn Or “desert.”
285 tn Grk “where she has there a place prepared by God.”
286 tn Grk “so they can take care of her.”
287 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
288 sn The archangel Michael had a special role in protecting the nation of Israel in the OT (Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; see also Jude 9).
289 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the implied contrast.
290 tn The words “to prevail” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
291 tn Grk “found.”
292 tn Grk “for them”; the referent (the dragon and his angels, v. 7) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
293 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the war in heaven.
294 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
295 tn Or “the right of his Messiah to rule.” See L&N 37.35.
296 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
297 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited). The translation “fellow believer” would normally apply (L&N 11.23), but since the speaker(s) are not specified in this context, it is not clear if such a translation would be appropriate here. The more generic “brothers and sisters” was chosen to emphasize the fact of a relationship without specifying its type.
298 tn Or “who accuses them continually.”
299 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast.
300 sn They did not love their lives. See Matt 16:25; Luke 17:33; John 12:25.
301 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).
302 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.
303 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” because the clause it introduces is clearly resumptive.
304 tn Grk “saw.”
305 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present here.
306 tn Or “desert.”
307 tn The word “God” is supplied based on the previous statements made concerning “the place prepared for the woman” in 12:6.
308 tc The reading “and half a time” (καὶ ἥμισυ καιροῦ, kai {hmisu kairou) is lacking in the important uncial C. Its inclusion, however, is supported by {Ì47 א A and the rest of the ms tradition}. There is apparently no reason for the scribe of C to intentionally omit the phrase, and the fact that the word “time” (καιρὸν καὶ καιρούς, kairon kai kairou") appears twice before may indicate a scribal oversight.
sn The parallel statement in Rev 12:6 suggests that the phrase a time, times, and half a time equals 1,260 days (three and a half years of 360 days each).
309 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
310 tn Grk “so that he might make her swept away.”
311 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present here.
312 tn Grk “the earth helped the woman.”
313 tn Grk “the earth opened its mouth” (a metaphor for the ground splitting open).
314 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the woman’s escape.
315 tn Grk “her seed” (an idiom for offspring, children, or descendants).
316 tn Or “who obey.”
317 tn Grk “and having.”
318 tn Grk “the testimony of Jesus,” which may involve a subjective genitive (“Jesus’ testimony”) or, more likely, an objective genitive (“testimony about Jesus”).
319 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the dragon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
320 tc Grk ἐστάθη (estaqh, “he stood”). The reading followed by the translation is attested by the better
321 tn Or “sandy beach” (L&N 1.64).
322 sn The standard critical texts of the Greek NT, NA27 and UBS4, both include this sentence as 12:18, as do the RSV and NRSV. Other modern translations like the NASB and NIV include the sentence at the beginning of 13:1; in these versions chap. 12 has only 17 verses.
323 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
324 tn Grk “having” (a continuation of the previous sentence). All of the pronouns referring to this beast (along with the second beast appearing in 13:11) could be translated as “it” because the word for beast (θηρίον, qhrion) is neuter gender in Greek and all the pronouns related to it are parsed as neuter in the Gramcord/Accordance database. Nevertheless, most interpreters would agree that the beast ultimately represents a human ruler, so beginning at the end of v. 4 the masculine pronouns (“he,” “him,” etc.) are used to refer to the first beast as well as the second beast appearing in 13:11.
325 tn For the translation of διάδημα (diadhma) as “diadem crown” see L&N 6.196.
sn Diadem crowns were a type of crown used as a symbol of the highest ruling authority in a given area, and thus often associated with kingship.
326 tc ‡ Several
sn Whether this means a single name on all seven heads or seven names, one on each head, is not clear.
327 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the parenthetical nature of the following description of the beast.
328 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
329 tn Grk “gave it”; the referent (the beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
330 tn For the translation “authority to rule” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
331 tn Grk “one of its heads”; the referent (the beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
332 tn Grk “killed to death,” an expression emphatic in its redundancy. The phrase behind this translation is ὡς ἐσφαγμένον (Jw" ejsfagmenon). The particle ὡς is used in Greek generally for comparison, and in Revelation it is used often to describe the appearance of what the author saw. In this instance, the appearance of the beast’s head did not match reality, because the next phrase shows that in fact it did not die. This text does not affirm that the beast died and was resurrected, but some draw this conclusion because of the only other use of the phrase, which refers to Jesus in 5:6.
333 tn The phrase τοῦ θανάτου (tou qanatou) can be translated as an attributive genitive (“deathly wound”) or an objective genitive (the wound which caused death) and the final αὐτοῦ (autou) is either possessive or reference/respect.
334 tn On the phrase “the whole world followed the beast in amazement,” BDAG 445 s.v. θαυμάζω 2 states, “wonder, be amazed…Rv 17:8. In pregnant constr. ἐθαυμάσθη ὅλη ἡ γῆ ὀπίσω τ. θηρίου the whole world followed the beast, full of wonder 13:3 (here wonder becomes worship: cp. Ael. Aristid. 13 p. 290 D.; 39 p. 747 of Dionysus and Heracles, οἳ ὑφ᾿ ἡμῶν ἐθαυμάσθησαν. Sir 7:29; Jos., Ant. 3, 65. – The act. is also found in this sense: Cebes 2, 3 θ. τινά = ‘admire’ or ‘venerate’ someone; Epict. 1, 17, 19 θ. τὸν θεόν).”
335 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
336 tn On the use of the masculine pronoun to refer to the beast, see the note on the word “It” in 13:1.
337 tn Grk “and there was given to him.” Here the passive construction has been simplified, the referent (the beast) has been specified for clarity, and καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
338 tn For the translation “proud words” (Grk “great things” or “important things”) see BDAG 624 s.v. μέγας 4.b.
339 tn Grk “to it was granted.”
340 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
341 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the permission granted to the beast.
342 tn Grk “he” (or “it”); the referent (the beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
343 tc The reading “and his dwelling place” does not occur in codex C, but its omission is probably due to scribal oversight since the phrase has the same ending as the phrase before it, i.e., they both end in “his” (αὐτοῦ, autou). This is similar to the mistake this scribe made in 12:14 with the omission of the reading “and half a time” (καὶ ἥμισυ καιροῦ, kai {hmisu kairou).
344 tn Grk “and it was given to him to go to war.” Here the passive construction has been simplified, the referent (the beast) has been specified for clarity, and καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
345 tc Many
346 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
347 tn Grk “and people,” but καί (kai) has not been translated here or before the following term since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
348 tn Grk “it”; the referent (the beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
349 tn The prepositional phrase “since the foundation of the world” is traditionally translated as a modifier of the immediately preceding phrase in the Greek text, “the Lamb who was killed” (so also G. B. Caird, Revelation [HNTC], 168), but it is more likely that the phrase “since the foundation of the world” modifies the verb “written” (as translated above). Confirmation of this can be found in Rev 17:8 where the phrase “written in the book of life since the foundation of the world” occurs with no ambiguity.
350 tn Or “slaughtered”; traditionally, “slain.”
351 tc Many
352 tn On ὧδε (Jwde) here, BDAG 1101 s.v. 2 states: “a ref. to a present event, object, or circumstance, in this case, at this point, on this occasion, under these circumstances…in this case moreover 1 Cor 4:2. ὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν…Rv 13:18; cf. 17:9. ὧδέ ἐστιν ἡ ὑπομονή…13:10; 14:12.”
353 tn Or “perseverance.”
354 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
355 sn This second beast is identified in Rev 16:13 as “the false prophet.”
356 tn Grk “and it had,” a continuation of the preceding sentence. On the use of the pronoun “he” to refer to the second beast, see the note on the word “It” in 13:1.
357 tn Or perhaps, “like a ram.” Here L&N 4.25 states, “In the one context in the NT, namely, Re 13:11, in which ἀρνίον refers literally to a sheep, it is used in a phrase referring to the horns of an ἀρνίον. In such a context the reference is undoubtedly to a ‘ram,’ that is to say, the adult male of sheep.” In spite of this most translations render the word “lamb” here to maintain the connection between this false lamb and the true Lamb of the Book of Revelation, Jesus Christ.
358 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
359 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
360 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
361 tn For this meaning see BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνώπιον 4.b, “by the authority of, on behalf of Rv 13:12, 14; 19:20.”
362 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
363 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both men and women.
364 tn Grk “earth, telling.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in Greek.
sn He told followed by an infinitive (“to make an image…”) is sufficiently ambiguous in Greek that it could be taken as “he ordered” (so NIV) or “he persuaded” (so REB).
365 tn Grk “it”; the referent (the second beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
366 tn Grk “it was given [permitted] to it [the second beast].”
367 tn Grk “breath,” but in context the point is that the image of the first beast is made to come to life and speak.
368 tn Grk “of the beast”; the word “first” has been supplied to specify the referent.
369 tn Or “forced”; Grk “makes” (ποιεῖ, poiei).
370 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
371 tn Grk “and that no one be able to buy or sell.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Although the ἵνα (Jina) is left untranslated, the English conjunction “thus” is used to indicate that this is a result clause.
372 tn The word “things” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context. In the context of buying and selling, food could be primarily in view, but the more general “things” was used in the translation because the context is not specific.
373 tn Grk “except the one who had.”
374 tn Grk “his name or the number of his name.”
375 tn Grk “Here is wisdom.”
376 tn Grk “it is man’s number.” ExSyn 254 states “if ἀνθρώπου is generic, then the sense is, ‘It is [the] number of humankind.’ It is significant that this construction fits Apollonius’ Canon (i.e., both the head noun and the genitive are anarthrous), suggesting that if one of these nouns is definite, then the other is, too. Grammatically, those who contend that the sense is ‘it is [the] number of a man’ have the burden of proof on them (for they treat the head noun, ἀριθμός, as definite and the genitive, ἀνθρώπου, as indefinite – the rarest of all possibilities). In light of Johannine usage, we might also add Rev 16:18, where the Seer clearly uses the anarthrous ἄνθρωπος in a generic sense, meaning ‘humankind.’ The implications of this grammatical possibility, exegetically speaking, are simply that the number ‘666’ is the number that represents humankind. Of course, an individual is in view, but his number may be the number representing all of humankind. Thus the Seer might be suggesting here that the antichrist, who is the best representative of humanity without Christ (and the best counterfeit of a perfect man that his master, that old serpent, could muster), is still less than perfection (which would have been represented by the number seven).” See G. K. Beale, Revelation, [NIGTC], 723-24, who argues for the “generic” understanding of the noun; for an indefinite translation, see the ASV and ESV which both translate the clause as “it is the number of a man.”
sn The translation man’s number suggests that the beast’s number is symbolic of humanity in general, while the translation a man’s number suggests that it represents an individual.
377 tc A few
378 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
379 tn The phrase “and here was” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
380 tn Or “a voice” (cf. Rev 1:15), but since in this context nothing is mentioned as the content of the voice, it is preferable to translate φωνή (fwnh) as “sound” here.
381 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of a new topic.
382 tn Grk “elders, and no one.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in the Greek text, but because of the length and complexity of the sentence a new sentence was started here in the translation.
383 tn The aorist passive verb is rendered as a reflexive (“defiled themselves”) by BDAG 657 s.v. μολύνω 2.
384 tn Grk “in their mouth was not found a lie.”
385 tc Several
386 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
387 tc Most
388 tn L&N 1.10 states, “a point or region of the sky directly above the earth – ‘high in the sky, midpoint in the sky, directly overhead, straight above in the sky.’”
389 tn Grk “having.”
390 tn Or “an eternal gospel to announce as good news.”
391 tn Grk “to those seated on the earth.”
392 tn Grk “and tribe,” but καί (kai) has not been translated here or before the following term since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
393 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.
394 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
395 tc There are several different variants comprising a textual problem involving “second” (δεύτερος, deuteros). First, several
396 tn Grk “And another angel, a second.”
397 tn The words “the first” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
398 tn For the translation of λέγω (legw) as “declare,” see BDAG 590 s.v. 2.e.
399 sn The fall of Babylon the great city is described in detail in Rev 18:2-24.
400 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
401 tn Grk “of the wine of the passion of the sexual immorality of her.” Here τῆς πορνείας (th" porneia") has been translated as an attributive genitive. In an ironic twist of fate, God will make Babylon drink her own mixture, but it will become the wine of his wrath in retribution for her immoral deeds (see the note on the word “wrath” in 16:19).
402 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
403 tn Grk “And another angel, a third.”
404 tn Grk “followed them.”
405 tn For the translation of λέγω (legw) as “declare,” see BDAG 590 s.v. 2.e.
406 tn Grk “he himself.”
407 tn The Greek word for “anger” here is θυμός (qumos), a wordplay on the “passion” (θυμός) of the personified city of Babylon in 14:8.
408 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
409 tn The Greek pronoun is plural here even though the verbs in the previous verse are singular.
410 tn The present tense ἀναβαίνει (anabainei) has been translated as a futuristic present (ExSyn 535-36). This is also consistent with the future passive βασανισθήσεται (basanisqhsetai) in v. 10.
411 tn The present tense ἔχουσιν (ecousin) has been translated as a futuristic present to keep the English tense consistent with the previous verb (see note on “will go up” earlier in this verse).
412 tn Grk “and.”
413 tn Grk “Here is.”
414 tn Or “the perseverance.”
415 tn Grk “who keep.”
416 tn The words “hold to” are implied as a repetition of the participle translated “keep” (οἱ τηροῦντες, Joi throunte").
417 tn Grk “faith of Jesus.” The construction may mean either “faith in Jesus” or “faithful to Jesus.” Either translation implies that ᾿Ιησοῦ (Ihsou) is to be taken as an objective genitive; the difference is more lexical than grammatical because πίστις (pistis) can mean either “faith” or “faithfulness.”
418 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
419 tn Or “from their trouble” (L&N 22.7).
420 tn Grk “their deeds will follow with them.”
421 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
422 tn Grk “and behold, a white cloud.”
423 tn This phrase constitutes an allusion to Dan 7:13. Concerning υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (Juio" tou anqrwpou), BDAG 1026 s.v. υἱός 2.d.γ says: “ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου lit. ‘the son of the man’…‘the human being, the human one, the man’…On Israelite thought contemporary w. Jesus and alleged knowledge of a heavenly being looked upon as a ‘Son of Man’ or ‘Man’, who exercises Messianic functions such as judging the world (metaph., pictorial passages in En 46-48; 4 Esdr 13:3, 51f)…Outside the gospels: Ac 7:56…Rv 1:13; 14:14 (both after Da 7:13…).” The term “son” here in this expression is anarthrous and as such lacks specificity. Some commentators and translations take the expression as an allusion to Daniel 7:13 and not to “the son of man” found in gospel traditions (e.g., Mark 8:31; 9:12; cf. D. E. Aune, Revelation [WBC], 2:800-801; cf. also NIV). Other commentators and versions, however, take the phrase “son of man” as definite, involving allusions to Dan 7:13 and “the son of man” gospel traditions (see G. K. Beale, Revelation [NIGTC], 771-72; NRSV).
424 tn Grk “like a son of man, having.” In the Greek text this is a continuation of the previous sentence.
425 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
426 tn Grk “Send out.”
427 tn The aorist θέρισον (qerison) has been translated ingressively.
428 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s directions.
429 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
430 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
431 tn Grk “who had authority over.” This appears to be the angel who tended the fire on the altar.
432 tn Grk “to the one having the sharp sickle”; the referent (the angel in v. 17) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
433 tn Grk “Send.”
434 tn On this term BDAG 1018 s.v. τρυγάω states: “‘gather in’ ripe fruit, esp. harvest (grapes) w. acc. of the fruit (POslo. 21, 13 [71 ad]; Jos., Ant. 4, 227) Lk 6:44; Rv 14:18 (in imagery, as in the foll. places)…W. acc. of that which bears the fruit gather the fruit of the vine…or the vineyard (s. ἄμπελος a) Rv 14:19.”
435 tn On this term BDAG 181 s.v. βότρυς states, “bunch of grapes Rv 14:18…The word is also found in the Phrygian Papias of Hierapolis, in a passage in which he speaks of the enormous size of the grapes in the new aeon (in the Lat. transl. in Irenaeus 5, 33, 2f.): dena millia botruum Papias (1:2). On this see Stephan. Byz. s.v. Εὐκαρπία: Metrophanes says that in the district of Εὐκαρπία in Phrygia Minor the grapes were said to be so large that one bunch of them caused a wagon to break down in the middle.”
436 tn The genitive τῆς γῆς (ths ghs), taken symbolically, could be considered a genitive of apposition.
437 tn Or perhaps, “its bunches of grapes” (a different Greek word from the previous clause). L&N 3.38 states, “the fruit of grapevines (see 3.27) – ‘grape, bunch of grapes.’ τρύγησον τοὺς βότρυας τῆς ἀμπέλου τῆς γῆς, ὅτι ἤκμασαν αἱ σταφυλαὶ αὐτῆς ‘cut the grapes from the vineyard of the earth because its grapes are ripe’ Re 14:18. Some scholars have contended that βότρυς means primarily a bunch of grapes, while σταφυλή designates individual grapes. In Re 14:18 this difference might seem plausible, but there is scarcely any evidence for such a distinction, since both words may signify grapes as well as bunches of grapes.”
438 tn On the use of ἥκμασαν (hkmasan) BDAG 36 s.v. ἀκμάζω states, “to bloom…of grapes…Rv 14:18.”
439 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s directions.
440 tn Or “vine.” BDAG 54 s.v. ἄμπελος a states, “τρυγᾶν τοὺς βότρυας τῆς ἀ. τῆς γῆς to harvest the grapes fr. the vine of the earth (i.e. fr. the earth, symbol. repr. as a grapevine) Rv 14:18f; but ἀ may be taking on the meaning of ἀμπελών, as oft. in pap., possibly PHib. 70b, 2 [III bc].” The latter alternative has been followed in the translation (ἀμπελών = “vineyard”).
441 tn Although the gender of μέγαν (megan, masc.) does not match the gender of ληνόν (lhnon, fem.) it has been taken to modify that word (as do most English translations).
442 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
443 sn The winepress was stomped. See Isa 63:3, where Messiah does this alone (usually several individuals would join in the process).
444 tn L&N 6.7 states, “In Re 14:20 the reference to a bit and bridle is merely an indication of measurement, that is to say, the height of the bit and bridle from the ground, and one may reinterpret this measurement as ‘about a meter and a half’ or ‘about five feet.’”
445 tn Grk “1,600 stades.” A stade was a measure of length about 607 ft (185 m). Thus the distance here would be 184 mi or 296 km.
446 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
447 tn Grk “seven plagues – the last ones.”
448 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
449 sn See Rev 4:6 where the sea of glass was mentioned previously.
450 tn Or “had been victorious over”; traditionally, “had overcome.”
451 tn Grk “of his name, standing.” A new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the words “They were.”
452 tn Or “on.” The preposition ἐπί (epi) with the accusative case could mean “on, at, by, near”; given the nature of this scene appearing in a vision, it is difficult to know precisely which the author of Revelation intended. See BDAG 363 s.v. ἐπί 1.c.γ, “At, by, near someone or someth.”
453 tn Grk “harps of God.” The phrase τοῦ θεοῦ (tou qeou) has been translated as a genitive of agency.
454 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
455 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
456 tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
457 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π. …Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
458 tn Or “righteous,” although the context favors justice as the theme.
459 tc Certain
460 tn Or “and praise.”
sn Jeremiah 10:7 probably stands behind the idea of fearing God, and Psalm 86:9-10 stands behind the ideas of glorifying God, his uniqueness, and the nations coming to worship him. Many other OT passages also speak about the nations “coming to his temple” to worship (Isa 2:2-3, 49:22-23, 66:23-24; Micah 4:2; Zech 8:20-22). See G. K. Beale, Revelation [NIGTC], 796-97.
461 sn Because you alone are holy. In the Greek text the sentence literally reads “because alone holy.” Three points can be made in connection with John’s language here: (1) Omitting the second person, singular verb “you are” lays stress on the attribute of God’s holiness. (2) The juxtaposition of alone with holy stresses the unique nature of God’s holiness and complete “otherness” in relationship to his creation. It is not just moral purity which is involved in the use of the term holy, though it certainly includes that. It is also the pervasive OT idea that although God is deeply involved in the governing of his creation, he is to be regarded as separate and distinct from it. (3) John’s use of the term holy is also intriguing since it is the term ὅσιος (Josios) and not the more common NT term ἅγιος (Jagios). The former term evokes images of Christ’s messianic status in early Christian preaching. Both Peter in Acts 2:27 and Paul in Acts 13:35 apply Psalm 16:10 (LXX) to Jesus, referring to him as the “holy one” (ὅσιος). It is also the key term in Acts 13:34 (Isa 55:3 [LXX]) where it refers to the “holy blessings” (i.e., forgiveness and justification) brought about through Jesus in fulfillment of Davidic promise. Thus, in Rev 15:3-4, when John refers to God as “holy,” using the term ὅσιος in a context where the emphasis is on both God and Christ, there might be an implicit connection between divinity and the Messiah. This is bolstered by the fact that the Lamb is referred to in other contexts as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (cf. 1:5; 17:14; 19:16 and perhaps 11:15; G. K. Beale, Revelation [NIGTC], 796-97).
462 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
463 tn Or perhaps, “your sentences of condemnation.” On δικαίωμα (dikaiwma) in this context BDAG 249 s.v. 2. states, “righteous deed…δι᾿ ἑνὸς δικαιώματος (opp. παράπτωμα) Ro 5:18. – B 1:2 (cp. Wengst, Barnabas-brief 196, n.4); Rv 15:4 (here perh.= ‘sentence of condemnation’ [cp. Pla., Leg. 9, 864e; ins fr. Asia Minor: LBW 41, 2 [κατὰ] τὸ δι[καί]ωμα τὸ κυρω[θέν]= ‘acc. to the sentence which has become valid’]; difft. Wengst, s. above); 19:8.”
464 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
465 tn On this term BDAG 928 s.v. σκηνή 1.b.α states, “ἡ σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου the Tabernacle or Tent of Testimony (Ex 27:21; 29:4; Lev 1:1; Num 1:1 and oft.…) Ac 7:44; 1 Cl 43:2, 5,” and then continues in section 2 to state, “Rv 15:5 speaks of a ναὸς τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. God’s σκ.= dwelling is in heaven 13:6, and will some time be among humans 21:3.”
466 tn Grk “the temple of the tent of the testimony” (ὁ ναός τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου, Jo naos ths skhnhs tou marturiou). The genitive “of the tent” is probably an appositional genitive and should be rendered as “the temple, which is the tent.” The entire expression, then, would be “the temple which is the tent of testimony,” that is, “the heavenly equivalent of the tent or tabernacle that was with Israel in the wilderness” (G. K. Beale, Revelation [NIGTC], 801-2).
sn In the OT the expression “tent of the testimony” occurs frequently (130 times in Exodus through Deuteronomy). The “testimony” refers to the ten commandments, i.e., the revelation of the righteous will of God (Exod 16:34; 25:21; 31:18; 32:15; 40:24). It is little wonder that the wrath of God upon an unrighteous, lawbreaking humanity follows in John’s description.
467 tn Or “wide golden sashes,” but these would not be diagonal, as some modern sashes are, but horizontal. The Greek term can refer to a wide band of cloth or leather worn on the outside of one’s clothing (L&N 6.178).
468 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
469 tn Or “anger.”
470 tn Grk “power, and no one.” A new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of the temple being filled with smoke.
471 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
472 tn Or “anger.” Here τοῦ θυμοῦ (tou qumou) has been translated as a genitive of content.
473 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the directions given by the voice from the temple.
474 tn Grk “the first”; the referent (the first angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
475 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
476 tn Or “ulcerated sores”; the term in the Greek text is singular but is probably best understood as a collective singular.
477 tn Grk ‘the men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") and refers to both men and women.
478 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “next” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
479 tn Grk “the second”; the referent (the second angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
480 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
481 tn Grk “the third”; the referent (the third angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
482 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the somewhat parenthetical nature of the remarks that follow.
483 tn Or “righteous,” although the context favors justice as the theme.
484 tn Or “because you have judged these things.” The pronoun ταῦτα (tauta) is neuter gender.
485 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate that this judgment is the result of what these wicked people did to the saints and prophets.
486 tn Grk “They are worthy”; i.e., of this kind of punishment. By extension, “they got what they deserve.”
487 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
488 tn Grk “the altar saying.”
489 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π. …Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
490 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
491 tn Grk “the fourth”; the referent (the fourth angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
492 tn Grk “men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") and refers to both men and women.
493 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of the bowl poured on the sun.
494 tn Grk “men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") and refers to both men and women.
495 tn On this phrase BDAG 536 s.v. καῦμα states, “burning, heat Rv 7:16…καυματίζεσθαι κ. μέγα be burned with a scorching heat 16:9.”
496 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
497 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
498 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
499 tn Grk “the fifth”; the referent (the fifth angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
500 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so that” to indicate the implied result of the fifth bowl being poured out.
501 tn Grk “his kingdom became dark.”
502 tn Grk “men,” but this is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") and refers to both men and women.
503 tn On this term BDAG 620 s.v. μασάομαι states, “bite w. acc. τὰς γλώσσας bite their tongues Rv 16:10.”
504 tn The preposition ἐκ (ek) has been translated here and twice in the following verse with a causal sense.
505 tn Grk “pains” (the same term in Greek [πόνος, ponos] as the last word in v. 11, here translated “sufferings” because it is plural). BDAG 852 s.v. 2 states, “ἐκ τοῦ π. in pain…Rv 16:10; pl. (Gen 41:51; Jos., C. Ap. 2, 146; Test. Jud. 18:4) ἐκ τῶν π. …because of their sufferings vs. 11.”
506 tn Or “ulcerated sores” (see 16:2).
507 tn Grk “and they did not repent.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but nevertheless” to express the contrast here.
508 tn Grk “they did not repent” The addition of “still refused” reflects the hardness of people’s hearts in the context.
509 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
510 tn Grk “the sixth”; the referent (the sixth angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
511 tn Grk “and its water was dried up.” Here the passive construction has been translated as an active one.
512 tn Grk “in order that the way might be prepared.” Here the passive construction has been translated as an active one.
513 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.”
514 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
515 sn According to the next verse, these three unclean spirits are spirits of demons.
516 tn BDAG 699 s.v. οἰκουμένη 1 states, “the inhabited earth, the world…ὅλη ἡ οἰκ. the whole inhabited earth…Mt 24:14; Ac 11:28; Rv 3:10; 16:14.”
517 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π. …Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
518 tn Grk “and keeps.” BDAG 1002 s.v. τηρέω 2.c states “of holding on to someth. so as not to give it up or lose it…τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ Rv 16:15 (or else he will have to go naked).”
519 tn On the translation of ἀσχημοσύνη (aschmosunh) as “shameful condition” see L&N 25.202. The indefinite third person plural (“and they see”) has been translated as a passive here.
520 sn These lines are parenthetical, forming an aside to the narrative. The speaker here is the Lord Jesus Christ himself rather than the narrator. Many interpreters have seen this verse as so abrupt that it could not be an original part of the work, but the author has used such asides before (1:7; 14:13) and the suddenness here (on the eve of Armageddon) is completely parallel to Jesus’ warning in Mark 13:15-16 and parallels.
521 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the resumption and conclusion of the remarks about the pouring out of the sixth bowl.
522 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the demonic spirits, v. 14) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
523 tn Grk “gathered them”; the referent (the kings and [implied] their armies, v. 14) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
524 tc There are many variations in the spelling of this name among the Greek
tn Or “Harmagedon” (a literal transliteration of the Greek), or “Har-Magedon” (NASB), meaning “the Mount of Magedon” in Hebrew.
525 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “finally” to indicate the conclusion of the seven bowl judgments.
526 tn Grk “the seventh”; the referent (the seventh angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
527 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
528 tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”
529 tn The singular ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used generically here to refer to the human race.
530 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
531 tn Or “of the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
532 tn Grk “fell.”
533 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Babylon’s misdeeds (see Rev 14:8).
534 tn Grk “the cup of the wine of the anger of the wrath of him.” The concatenation of four genitives has been rendered somewhat differently by various translations (see the note on the word “wrath”).
535 tn Following BDAG 461 s.v. θυμός 2, the combination of the genitives of θυμός (qumo") and ὀργή (orgh) in Rev 16:19 and 19:15 are taken to be a strengthening of the thought as in the OT and Qumran literature (Exod 32:12; Jer 32:37; Lam 2:3; CD 10:9). Thus in Rev 14:8 (to which the present passage alludes) and 18:3 there is irony: The wine of immoral behavior with which Babylon makes the nations drunk becomes the wine of God’s wrath for her.
536 tn Grk “And every.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
537 tn Or “vanished.”
538 sn Every island fled away and no mountains could be found. Major geographical and topographical changes will accompany the Day of the Lord.
539 tn Here BDAG 988 s.v. ταλαντιαῖος states, “weighing a talent…χάλαζα μεγάλη ὡς ταλαντιαία a severe hailstorm with hailstones weighing a talent (the talent=125 librae, or Roman pounds of c. 343 gr. or 12 ounces each) (weighing about a hundred pounds NRSV) Rv 16:21.” This means each hailstone would weigh just under 100 pounds or 40 kilograms.
540 tn Or “the sky.” Due to the apocalyptic nature of this book, it is probably best to leave the translation as “from heaven,” since God is ultimately the source of the judgment.
541 tn Grk “on men,” but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used here in a generic sense to refer to people in general (the hailstones did not single out adult males, but would have also fallen on women and children).
542 tn Grk “the men”; for stylistic reasons the pronoun “they” is used here.
543 tn Grk “the plague of it.”
544 tn Grk “since the plague of it was exceedingly great.”
545 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
546 tn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (met’ emou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.”
547 tn Here one Greek term, κρίμα (krima), has been translated by the two English terms “condemnation” and “punishment.” See BDAG 567 s.v. 4.b, “mostly in an unfavorable sense, of the condemnatory verdict and sometimes the subsequent punishment itself 2 Pt 2:3; Jd 4…τὸ κ. τῆς πόρνης the condemnation and punishment of the prostitute Rv 17:1.”
548 tn This is the same word translated “sexual immorality” earlier in the verse, but here the qualifier “sexual” has not been repeated for stylistic reasons.
549 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s invitation to witness the fate of the prostitute.
550 tn Or “in the spirit.” “Spirit” could refer either to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit, but in either case John was in “a state of spiritual exaltation best described as a trance” (R. H. Mounce, Revelation [NICNT], 75).
551 tn Or “desert.”
552 tn The word “there” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied for stylistic reasons.
553 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the detailed description of the woman, which is somewhat parenthetical in nature.
554 tn The word “clothing” is supplied to clarify that the words “purple” and “scarlet” refer to cloth or garments rather than colors.
555 tn Grk “gilded with gold” (an instance of semantic reinforcement, see L&N 49.29).
556 tn Grk “pearls, having in her hand.” Due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
557 tc Several
558 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
559 tn Some translations consider the word μυστήριον (musthrion, “mystery”) a part of the name written (“Mystery Babylon the Great,” so KJV, NIV), but the gender of both ὄνομα (onoma, “name”) and μυστήριον are neuter, while the gender of “Babylon” is feminine. This strongly suggests that μυστήριον should be understood as an appositive to ὄνομα (“a name, i.e., a mystery”).
560 tn Or “of the witnesses to Jesus.” Here the genitive ᾿Ιησοῦ (Ihsou) is taken as an objective genitive; Jesus is the object of their testimony.
561 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
562 tn Grk “I marveled a great marvel” (an idiom for great astonishment).
563 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
564 tn Grk “I will tell you,” but since what follows is the angel’s interpretation of the vision, “interpret for you” is the preferred translation here.
565 tn On this term BDAG 2 s.v. ἄβυσσος 2 states, “netherworld, abyss, esp. the abode of the dead Ro 10:7 (Ps 106:26) and of demons Lk 8:31; dungeon where the devil is kept Rv 20:3; abode of the θηρίον, the Antichrist 11:7; 17:8; of ᾿Αβαδδών (q.v.), the angel of the underworld 9:11…φρέαρ τῆς ἀ. 9:1f; capable of being sealed 9:1; 20:1, 3.”
566 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
567 tn Some translations take the ὅτι (Joti) here as causal: “because he was, and is not, but is to come” (so NIV, NRSV), but it is much more likely that the subject of the ὅτι clause has been assimilated into the main clause: “when they see the beast, that he was…” = “when they see that the beast was” (so BDAG 732 s.v. ὅτι 1.f, where Rev 17:8 is listed).
568 tn Grk “Here is the mind that has wisdom.”
569 tn It is important to note that the height of “mountains” versus “hills” or other topographical terms is somewhat relative. In terms of Palestinian topography, Mount Tabor (traditionally regarded as the mount of transfiguration) is some 1,800 ft (550 m) above sea level, while the Mount of Olives is only some 100 ft (30 m) higher than Jerusalem.
570 tn That is, one currently reigns.
571 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
572 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
573 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
574 tn The word “kings” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to clarify the referent.
575 tn See BDAG 636 s.v. μετά A.2.a.α.
576 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
577 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
578 tn Grk “and multitudes,” but καί (kai) has not been translated here and before the following term since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
579 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
580 tn A new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
581 tn The final clause could also be turned into an adverbial clause of means: “They will consume her flesh by burning her with fire.”
582 tn Grk “hearts.”
583 tn Or “his intent.”
584 tn The infinitive ποιῆσαι (poihsai) was translated here as giving the logical means by which God’s purpose was carried out.
585 tn On this term BDAG 203 s.v. γνώμη 4 states, “declaration, decision, resolution…of God Rv 17:17.”
586 tn For this translation see BDAG 168 s.v. βασιλεία 1.a, “kingship, royal power, royal rule.”
587 tn Or “completed.”
588 tn Grk “And.” Because this remark is somewhat resumptive in nature, “as for” is used in the translation.
589 tn Grk “glory”; but often in the sense of splendor, brightness, or radiance (see L&N 14.49).
590 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style
591 tn Or “It” (the subject is embedded in the verb in Greek; the verb only indicates that it is third person). Since the city has been personified as the great prostitute, the feminine pronoun was used in the translation.
592 tn Here BDAG 1067 s.v. φυλακή 3 states, “a place where guarding is done, prison…Of the nether world or its place of punishment (πνεῦμα 2 and 4c) 1 Pt 3:19 (BReicke, The Disobedient Spirits and Christian Baptism ’46, 116f). It is in a φ. in the latter sense that Satan will be rendered harmless during the millennium Rv 20:7. The fallen city of Babylon becomes a φυλακή haunt for all kinds of unclean spirits and birds 18:2ab.”
593 tc There are several problems in this verse. It seems that according to the ms evidence the first two phrases (i.e., “and a haunt for every unclean spirit, and a haunt for every unclean bird” [καὶ φυλακὴ παντὸς πνεύματος ἀκαθάρτου καὶ φυλακὴ παντὸς ὀρνέου ἀκαθάρτου, kai fulakh panto" pneumato" akaqartou kai fulakh panto" orneou akaqartou]) are to be regarded as authentic, though there are some ms discrepancies. The similar beginnings (καὶ φυλακὴ παντός) and endings (ἀκαθάρτου) of each phrase would easily account for some
594 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
595 tc ‡ Several
596 tn See the notes on the words “passion” in Rev 14:8 and “wrath” in 16:19.
597 tn According to BDAG 949 s.v. στρῆνος and στρηνιάω, these terms can refer either to luxury or sensuality. In the context of Rev 18, however (as L&N 88.254 indicate) the stress is on gratification of the senses by sexual immorality, so that meaning was emphasized in the translation here.
598 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
599 tn On ἐκολλήθησαν (ekollhqhsan) BDAG 556 s.v. κολλάω 2.a.β states, “fig. cling to = come in close contact with (cp. Ps 21:16; 43:26 ἐκολλήθη εἰς γῆν ἡ γαστὴρ ἡμῶν. The act.=‘bring into contact’ PGM 5, 457 κολλήσας τ. λίθον τῷ ὠτίῳ) ἐκολλήθησαν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι ἄχρι τ. οὐρανοῦ the sins have touched the heaven = reached the sky (two exprs. are telescoped) Rv 18:5.”
600 tn Or “up to the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
601 tn That is, remembered her sins to execute judgment on them.
602 tn Or “her sins.”
603 tn The word “others” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
604 tn On this term BDAG 252 s.v. διπλόω states, “to double τὰ διπλᾶ pay back double Rv 18:6.”
605 tn “As much as” is the translation of ὅσα (Josa).
606 tn On the term ἐστρηνίασεν (estrhniasen) BDAG 949 s.v. στρηνιάω states, “live in luxury, live sensually Rv 18:7. W. πορνεύειν vs. 9.”
607 tn Grk “said in her heart,” an idiom for saying something to oneself.
608 tn Grk “For this reason, her plagues will come.”
609 tn Grk “death.” θάνατος (qanatos) can in particular contexts refer to a manner of death, specifically a contagious disease (see BDAG 443 s.v. 3; L&N 23.158).
610 tn This is the same Greek word (πένθος, penqo") translated “grief” in vv. 7-8.
611 tn Here “burned down” was used to translate κατακαυθήσεται (katakauqhsetai) because a city is in view.
612 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
613 tn On the term ἐστρηνίασεν (estrhniasen) BDAG 949 s.v. στρηνιάω states, “live in luxury, live sensually Rv 18:7. W. πορνεύειν vs. 9.”
614 tn Grk “from the burning of her.” For the translation “the smoke from the fire that burns her up,” see L&N 14.63.
615 tn Or “judgment,” condemnation,” “punishment.” BDAG 569 s.v. κρίσις 1.a.β states, “The word oft. means judgment that goes against a person, condemnation, and the sentence that follows…ἡ κ. σου your judgment Rv 18:10.”
616 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
617 tn On γόμος (gomos) BDAG 205 s.v. states, “load, freight…cargo of a ship…Ac 21:3. W. gen. of the owner Rv 18:11. W. gen. of content…γ. χρυσοῦ a cargo of gold vs. 12.”
618 tn Grk “and silver,” but καί (kai) has not been translated before most of these terms since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more
619 tn On this term BDAG 924-25 s.v. σιρικός states, “per. to silk from Ser, subst. τὸ σιρικόν silk cloth or garments w. other costly materials Rv 18:12.”
620 tn On the translation of κόκκινον (kokkinon) as “scarlet cloth” see L&N 6.170.
621 tn On the phrase πᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον (pan xulon quinon) L&N 3.63 states, “pertaining to being made or consisting of citron wood (that is, from a citron tree) – ‘of citron wood.’ καὶ πᾶν ξύλον θύϊνον καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ἐλεφάντινον ‘and all kinds of things made of citron wood and all kinds of objects made of ivory’ Re 18:12. The citron tree belongs to the citrus family of plants, and it produces a pale yellow fruit somewhat larger than a lemon, the rind of which is often candied. In Re 18:12, however, the focus is upon the fine quality of the wood.”
622 tn On the term ἄμωμον (amwmon) L&N 5.23 states, “a generic term for any kind of spice, though often a specific reference to amomum, an Indian type of spice – ‘spice, amomum.’ κιννάμωμον καὶ ἄμωμον καὶ θυμιάματα ‘cinnamon and spice and incense’ Re 18:13. In most translations ἄμωμον is interpreted as spice in general.”
623 tn Or “myrrh,” a strong aromatic ointment often used to prepare a body for burial (L&N 6.205).
624 tn The Greek term λίβανος (libano") refers to the aromatic resin of a certain type of tree (L&N 6.212).
625 tn On σεμίδαλις (semidali") L&N 5.10 states, “a fine grade of wheat flour – ‘fine flour.’ οἶνον καὶ ἔλαιον καὶ σεμίδαλιν καὶ σῖτον ‘wine and oil and fine flour and wheat’ Re 18:13. In some languages ‘fine flour’ may be best expressed as ‘expensive flour.’ Such a rendering fits well the context of Re 18:13.”
626 tn Or “and wagons.” On the term ῥέδη (rJedh) see L&N 6.53: “a four-wheeled carriage or wagon used for travel or the transportation of loads – ‘carriage, wagon.’ The term ῥέδη occurs only in Re 18:13 in a list of products bought and sold by merchants.”
627 tn Grk “and bodies and souls of men.” This could be understood (1) as a hendiadys (two things mentioned = one thing meant), referring only to slave trade; (2) it could be referring to two somewhat different concepts: slavery (bodies) and the cheapness of human life – some of the items earlier in the list of merchandise were to be obtained only at great cost of human life; or (3) a somewhat related idea, that the trade is in not just physical bodies (slavery) but human souls (people whose lives are destroyed through this trade).
628 tn On ὀπώρα (opwra) L&N 3.34 states, “ἡ ὀπώρα σου τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τῆς ψυχῆς ‘the ripe fruit for which you longed’ Re 18:14. In this one occurrence of ὀπώρα in the NT, ‘ripe fruit’ is to be understood in a figurative sense of ‘good things.’”
629 tn Grk “you desired in your soul.”
630 tn On λιπαρός (liparo") BDAG 597 s.v. states, “luxury Rv 18:14.”
631 tn On τὰ λαμπρά (ta lampra) BDAG 585 s.v. λαμπρός 4 states, “splendor…in which a rich man takes delight (cp. Jos., Ant. 12, 220 δωρεὰς δοὺς λαμπράς) Rv 18:14.”
632 tn Verse 14 is set in parentheses because in it the city, Babylon, is addressed directly in second person.
sn This verse forms a parenthetical aside in the narrative.
633 tn Grk “the merchants [sellers] of these things.”
634 tn Grk “her torment, weeping.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started in the translation by supplying the words “They will” here.
635 tn The word “clothing” is supplied to clarify that the words “purple” and “scarlet” refer to cloth or garments rather than colors.
636 tn Grk “gilded with gold” (an instance of semantic reinforcement, see L&N 49.29).
637 tn On ἠρημώθη (hrhmwqh) L&N 20.41 states, “to suffer destruction, with the implication of being deserted and abandoned – ‘to be destroyed, to suffer destruction, to suffer desolation.’ ἐρημόομαι: μιᾷ ὥρᾳ ἠρημώθη ὁ τοσοῦτος πλοῦτος ‘such great wealth has been destroyed within a single hour’ Re 18:17.”
638 tn On κυβερνήτης (kubernhth") BDAG 574 s.v. 1 states, “one who is responsible for the management of a ship, shipmaster, lit. Rv 18:17.”
639 tn Or perhaps, “everyone who sails as a passenger.” On πλέων (plewn) BDAG 825 s.v. πλέω states, “πᾶς ὁ ἐπὶ τόπον πλέων everyone who sails to a place = seafarer, sea traveler…Rv 18:17. The vv.ll.…have led to various interpretations. Some render: everyone who sails along the coast…See EbNestle, Einführung in das Griech. NT 1909, 182; AFridrichsen, K. Hum. Vetensk.-Samf. i Upps. Årsb. ’43, 31 note ὁ ἐπίτοπον πλέων=one who sails occasionally, a passenger. – S. also IHeikel, StKr 106, ’34/’35, 317).”
640 tn Grk “and as many as.”
641 tn Here the imperfect ἔκραζον (ekrazon) has been translated ingressively.
642 tn Grk “from the burning of her, saying.” For the translation “the smoke from the fire that burned her up,” see L&N 14.63. Here the participle λέγοντες (legontes, “saying”) has not been translated because it is redundant in contemporary English.
643 tn Grk “with weeping and mourning, saying.” Here the participle λέγοντες (legontes) has not been translated because it is redundant in contemporary English.
644 tn On ἡρημώθη (Jhrhmwqh) L&N 20.41 states, “to suffer destruction, with the implication of being deserted and abandoned – ‘to be destroyed, to suffer destruction, to suffer desolation.’ ἐρημόομαι: μιᾷ ὥρᾳ ἠρημώθη ὁ τοσοῦτος πλοῦτος ‘such great wealth has been destroyed within a single hour’ Re 18:17.”
645 tn On the phrase “pronounced judgment” BDAG 567 s.v. κρίμα 4.b states, “The OT is the source of the expr. κρίνειν τὸ κρ. (cp. Zech 7:9; 8:16; Ezk 44:24) ἔκρινεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ κρίμα ὑμῶν ἐξ αὐτῆς God has pronounced judgment for you against her or God has pronounced on her the judgment she wished to impose on you (HHoltzmann, Hdb. 1893 ad loc.) Rv 18:20.”
646 tn Grk “God has judged a judgment of you of her.” Verse 20 is set in parentheses because in it the saints, etc. are addressed directly in the second person.
sn This verse forms a parenthetical aside in the narrative.
647 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
648 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.
649 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.
650 tn The shift to a second person pronoun here corresponds to the Greek text.
651 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
652 tn On this term BDAG 1001 s.v. τεχνίτης states, “craftsperson, artisan, designer…Of a silversmith Ac 19:24, 25 v.l., 38….Of a potter 2 Cl 8:2 (metaph., cp. Ath. 15:2). πᾶς τεχνίτης πάσης τέχνης Rv 18:22.”
653 tn This is a different Greek word (μύλος, mulos) from the one for the millstone in v. 21 (μύλινος, mulinos). See L&N 7.68.
654 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
655 tn On the term φαρμακεία (farmakeia, “magic spells”) see L&N 53.100: “the use of magic, often involving drugs and the casting of spells upon people – ‘to practice magic, to cast spells upon, to engage in sorcery, magic, sorcery.’ φαρμακεία: ἐν τῇ φαρμακείᾳ σου ἐπλανήθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ‘with your magic spells you deceived all the peoples (of the world)’ Re 18:23.”
656 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
657 tn The shift in pronouns from second to third person corresponds to the Greek text.
658 tn Grk “and of all.” The phrase “along with the blood” has been repeated from the previous clause for stylistic reasons.
659 tn Compare the similar phrase in Rev 16:7.
660 tn Or “has punished.” See BDAG 568 s.v. κρίνω 5.b.α, describing the OT background which involves both the vindication of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty.
661 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
662 tn Grk “from her hand” (referring to her responsibility in causing the blood of God’s followers to be shed).
663 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
664 tn Or “her smoke ascends forever and ever.”
665 tn Grk “creatures fell down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
666 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
667 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
668 tn Grk “like the voice of a large crowd…saying.” Because of the complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the words “They were.”
669 tc Several
670 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π. …Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22…κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ὁ π. Rv 19:6.”
671 tn This verb and the next two verbs are hortatory subjunctives (giving exhortations).
672 tn On the term translated “fine linen,” BDAG 185 s.v. βύσσινος states, “made of fine linen, subst. τὸ β. fine linen, linen garment…Rv 18:12…16; 19:8, 14.”
673 sn This phrase is treated as a parenthetical explanation by the author.
674 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
675 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
676 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s announcement.
677 tn Grk “I fell down at his feet.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
678 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
679 tn On the elliptical expression ὅρα μή (Jora mh) BDAG 720 s.v. ὁράω B.2 states: “Elliptically…ὅρα μή (sc. ποιήσῃς) watch out! don’t do that! Rv 19:10; 22:9.”
680 tn The lowliness of a slave is emphasized in the Greek text with the emphatic position of σύνδουλος (sundoulo"). The use of “only” helps to bring this nuance out in English.
681 tn Grk “fellow slave.” See the note on the word “servants” in v. 2.
682 tn The Greek term “brother” literally refers to family relationships, but here it is used in a broader sense to connote familial relationships within the family of God (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 2.a).
683 tn The genitive ᾿Ιησοῦ (Ihsou) has been translated as an objective genitive here. A subjective genitive, also possible, would produce the meaning “who hold to what Jesus testifies.”
684 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
685 tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
686 tn A new sentence was started in the translation at this point and καί (kai) was not translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
687 tn Or “in righteousness,” but since the context here involves the punishment of the wicked and the vindication of the saints, “justice” was preferred.
688 tn The genitive noun πυρός (puros) has been translated as an attributive genitive (see also Rev 1:14).
689 tn For the translation of διάδημα (diadhma) as “diadem crown” see L&N 6.196.
sn Diadem crowns were a type of crown used as a symbol of the highest ruling authority in a given area, and thus often associated with kingship.
690 tn Grk “head, having.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
691 tn Although many translations supply a prepositional phrase to specify what the name was written on (“upon Him,” NASB; “on him,” NIV), there is no location for the name specified in the Greek text.
692 tc It appears that “dipped” (βεβαμμένον, bebammenon), supported by several uncials and other witnesses (A 051 Ï), is the original reading. Due to the lack of the preposition “in” (ἐν, en) after the verb (βεβαμμένον αἵματι, bebammenon {aimati), and also probably because of literary allusions to Isa 63:3, several
tn Or perhaps “soaked.”
693 tn Grk “the name of him is called.”
694 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
695 tn On the term translated “fine linen,” BDAG 185 s.v. βύσσινος states, “made of fine linen, subst. τὸ β. fine linen, linen garment…Rv 18:12, 16; 19:8, 14.”
696 tn Or “the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
697 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
698 tn Grk “will shepherd.”
699 tn Or “scepter.” The Greek term ῥάβδος (rJabdo") can mean either “rod” or “scepter.”
sn A quotation from Ps 2:9 (see also Rev 2:27, 12:5).
700 sn He stomps the winepress. See Isa 63:3, where Messiah does this alone (usually several individuals would join in the process), and Rev 14:20.
701 tn The genitive θυμοῦ (qumou) has been translated as an attributed genitive. Following BDAG 461 s.v. θυμός 2, the combination of the genitives of θυμός (qumos) and ὀργή (orgh) in Rev 16:19 and 19:15 are taken to be a strengthening of the thought as in the OT and Qumran literature (Exod 32:12; Jer 32:37; Lam 2:3; CD 10:9).
702 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π. …Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
703 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
704 tn The precise significance of ἐν (en) here is difficult to determine.
705 tn On μεσουρανήματι (mesouranhmati) here see L&N 1.10: “high in the sky, midpoint in the sky, directly overhead, straight above in the sky.” The birds mentioned here are carrion birds like vultures, circling high overhead, and now being summoned to feast on the corpses.
706 tn This is the same Greek word (δεῖπνον, deipnon) used in 19:9.
707 tn The ἵνα (Jina) clause, insofar as it is related to the first imperative, has the force of an imperative.
708 tn The idea of eating “your fill” is evident in the context with the use of χορτάζω (cortazw) in v. 21.
709 tn Grk “chiliarchs”; normally a chiliarch was a military officer commanding a thousand soldiers, but here probably used of higher-ranking commanders like generals (see L&N 55.15; cf. Rev 6:15).
710 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
711 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
712 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of an unexpected development in the account: The opposing armies do not come together in battle; rather the leader of one side is captured.
713 tn For this meaning see BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνώπιον 4.b, “by the authority of, on behalf of Rv 13:12, 14; 19:20.”
714 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
715 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
716 tn On the translation of ἐχορτάσθησαν (ecortasqhsan) BDAG 1087 s.v. χορτάζω 1.a states, “of animals, pass. in act. sense πάντα τὰ ὄρνεα ἐχορτάσθησαν ἐκ τῶν σαρκῶν αὐτῶν all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh Rv 19:21 (cp. TestJud. 21:8).”
717 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
718 tn The word “holding” is implied. The two clauses “having the key of the abyss” and “a huge chain in his hand” can be construed in two ways: (1) both are controlled by the participle ἔχοντα (econta) and both are modified by the phrase “in his hand” – “having in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain.” (2) The participle ἔχοντα refers only to the key, and the phrase “in his hand” refers only to the chain – “having the key of the abyss and holding a huge chain in his hand.” Because of the stylistic tendency in Rev to use the verb ἔχω (ecw) to mean “hold (something)” and the phrase “in his hand” forming a “bracket” along with the verb ἔχω around both the phrases in question, the first option is preferred.
719 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
720 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel introduced in v. 1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
721 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
722 tn Or “and shut.” While the lexical force of the term is closer to “shut,” it is acceptable to render the verb ἔκλεισεν (ekleisen) as “locked” here in view of the mention of the key in the previous verse.
723 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
724 tn Grk “I saw thrones, and those seated on them, and judgment was given to them.” BDAG 567 s.v. κρίμα 3 says, “judging, judgment, the κρίμα ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς authority to judge was given to them Rv 20:4.”
725 tn Grk “God, and who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the pronoun “these” as subject.
726 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
727 tn On the use of the aorist ἔζησαν (ezhsan) BDAG 425 s.v. ζάω 1.a.β says, “of dead persons who return to life become alive again: of humans in general (3 Km 17:23) Mt 9:18; Ac 9:41; 20:12; Rv 20:4, 5.”
728 sn This statement appears to be a parenthetical comment by the author.
729 tn Grk “who has a share.”
730 tn The shift from the singular pronoun (“the one”) to the plural (“them”) in the passage reflects the Greek text: The singular participle ὁ ἔχων (Jo ecwn) is followed by the plural pronoun τούτων (toutwn). In the interests of English style, this is obscured in most modern translations except the NASB.
731 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
732 tn Or “mislead.”
733 sn The battle with Gog and Magog is described in the OT in Ezek 38:1-39:20.
734 tn Grk “of whom the number of them [is] like the sand of the sea” (an allusion to Isa 10:22).
735 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
736 tn The shift here to past tense reflects the Greek text.
737 tn On the phrase “broad plain of the earth” BDAG 823 s.v. πλάτος states, “τὸ πλάτος τῆς γῆς Rv 20:9 comes fr. the OT (Da 12:2 LXX. Cp. Hab 1:6; Sir 1:3), but the sense is not clear: breadth = the broad plain of the earth is perh. meant to provide room for the countless enemies of God vs. 8, but the ‘going up’ is better suited to Satan (vs. 7) who has recently been freed, and who comes up again fr. the abyss (vs. 3).” The referent here thus appears to be a plain large enough to accommodate the numberless hoards that have drawn up for battle against the Lord Christ and his saints.
738 tn Or “surrounded.”
739 tn On the term παρεμβολή (parembolh) BDAG 775 s.v. states, “Mostly used as a military t.t.…so always in our lit.…1. a (fortified) camp…ἡ παρεμβολὴ τῶν ἁγίων Rv 20:9 is also to be understood fr. the OT use of the word.”
740 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
741 tn See L&N 20.45 for the translation of κατεσθίω (katesqiw) as “to destroy utterly, to consume completely.”
742 tn Or “misled.”
743 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
744 tn The verb in this clause is elided. In keeping with the previous past tenses some translations supply a past tense verb here (“were”), but in view of the future tense that follows (“they will be tormented”), a present tense verb was used to provide a transition from the previous past tense to the future tense that follows.
745 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
746 tn Traditionally, “great,” but μέγας (megas) here refers to size rather than importance.
747 tn Or “and the sky.” The same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky,” and context usually determines which is meant. In this apocalyptic scene, however, it is difficult to be sure what referent to assign the term.
748 tn Or “vanished.”
sn The phrase the earth and the heaven fled from his presence can be understood (1) as visual imagery representing the fear of corruptible matter in the presence of God, but (2) it can also be understood more literally as the dissolution of the universe as we know it in preparation for the appearance of the new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1).
749 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
750 tn Grk “another book was opened, which is of life.”
751 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the books being opened.
752 tn Grk “from the things written in the books according to their works.”
753 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
754 sn Here Death is personified (cf. 1 Cor 15:55).
755 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
756 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
757 tn The word “name” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
758 tn Grk “he”; the pronoun has been intensified by translating as “that person.”
