4 [ref]This letter is from Yohan to the seven assemblies in Asia Minor:

Grace and peace to you all from the God who is and was and will be, and from the seven spirits who are in front of this throne, 5 [ref]and from Yeshua the messiah, the faithful witness, the first to come back to life, and the ruler of all the leaders of the nations of the world.

Yeshua loves us and he has released us from our sins by his blood, 6 [ref]and made us into a kingdom of priests to God his father, and he is deserving of honour and power throughout the ages. May it be so.

7 [ref]Look, he’s going to come back in the clouds, and everyone will see him—the one who they speared—and all the tribes on the earth will be mourning over him. REWORK OT QUOTES

8 [ref]“I am the A and the Z,” says Yahweh God, the one who is and was and will be—the most powerful one.

9 I, John, am your brother and partner in the suffering that’s typical of those who follow Yeshua. I’ve been exiled to Patmos Island where I endure because I believe God’s message and Yeshua’s testimony and look forward to his kingdom. 10 One Sunday while meditating, God’s spirit gave me a vision, and I heard a voice behind me that seemed as loud as a trumpet blast 11 that said, “Write down what you see here on a scroll and send it to the seven assemblies of believers—to the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see who was talking to me, and I saw seven golden lamp holders, 13 and standing among them was a man who looked like humanity’s child,[fn] wearing a long robe with a golden sash around His chest.[ref] 14 His hair was gleaming white like wool or snow and his eyes were bright like a fiery flame.[ref] 15 His feet shone like bronze that had been refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of a river of rushing water.[ref] 16 He was holding seven stars in his right hand and a sharp sword was extending from his mouth, and his face was like the sun shining at its brightest. 17 And when I saw him, I quickly lay at his feet, breathless like a dead man, but he placed his right hand on me, and told me, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last.[ref] 18 I lived and died here on the earth, but look, now I’m alive again and will live for all eternity, and I control the keys over death and over hell. 19 So record what you’re seeing now as well as what I’ll show you about current and future events. 20 This is the meaning of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lamp holders:[ref] The seven stars represent God’s messengers watching over those seven groups of believers,[ref] and the seven lamp holders represent those groups of believers.

2 To the assembly’s messenger in Ephesus write:

The one holding the seven stars in his right hand, the one walking among the seven golden lampstands, says these things: 2 “I know about your activities and work, and your endurance and that you can not tolerate evil people, and that you have investigated the ones calling themselves missionaries but are not, and you have found them to be frauds. 3 I’m aware that you’ve endured and even suffered persecution because you’ve believed in me, but you’ve never given up. 4 However, I do have something against you: you’ve abandoned the love that you first had. 5 So now, you need to remember where you’ve fallen from, and repent and repeat how you behaved at the beginning, but if you don’t, I’ll come to you and if you don’t repent, I’ll remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you do have this going for you: you hate what the disciples of Nicolaus are doing,[fn] just like I do.

7 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.

I will grant the right to eat from the tree that gives life in God’s paradise to everyone who overcomes.”[ref]

8 To the assembly’s messenger in Smyrna write:[ref]

The one who’s the first and the last, who died but lived again, says these things: 9 “I know about your suffering and your poverty, but you’re actually rich! I also know how about the slander of those who consider themselves to be Jews, but they’re not true Jews because their master is Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid about what you’re going to suffer. Yes, the devil will throw some of you into prison where your faith will be tested, and you’ll experience persecution for ten days. Just remain faithful, even if it means death, and I’ll give you life as a reward.

11 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.

Anyone who stays true won’t be affected by the second death.”[ref]

12 To the assembly’s messenger in Pergamum write:

The one with the sharp sword says these things: 13 “I know where you live: where Satan’s throne is. Despite that, you firmly believe in me and you haven’t denied your faith in me, even when Antipas, the faithful man who told others about me was killed in your city, where Satan lives. 14 But I do have a few things against you: you have some people there who hold to the ancient prophet Balaam’s teaching.[ref] He taught Moab’s king, Balak, how to tempt the Israelis and to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols, and to be sexually immoral. 15 In the same way, some of you also follow the teachings of Nicolaus’ disciples.[fn] 16 So turn away from all that, otherwise I’ll come soon and battle against them with the word of my mouth.

17 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.

Anyone who stays true will be given hidden food from heaven, and I’ll give each of them a white stone with a new name written on it that no one knows apart from the person receiving it.”[ref]

18 To the assembly’s messenger in Thyatira write:

God’s son, the one with eyes like a flame of fire and with feet like bronze, says: 19 “I know what you’ve been doing, and about your love and faith, and your service and endurance, and what you’re doing now is better than what you first did. 20 But I have against you that you tolerate that woman Jezebel who calls a prophetess, and she deceives my servants by teaching them to be sexually immoral and to eat food that’s been offered to idols.[ref] 21 Even though I’ve given her time to repent, she’s still not willing to turn away from her immorality. 22 Listen, I’m going to punish her with a terrible sickness, and to punish those who’re committing adultery with her with terrible suffering if they don’t turn away from what she’s doing. 23 I will kill her children, then all the assemblies will know that I am the one who searches people’s affections and hearts, and who punishes or rewards each one of you depending on your actions.[ref]

24 But the rest of you believers in the city of Thyatira have not obeyed that woman’s teachings and haven’t taken part in what she calls ‘the secret practices that Satan taught her’, I have something to say to you all as well. I won’t give you any other other burden 25 except to just to continue to obey the true teaching that you’ve received, until I return. 26 And anyone who’s victorious, who continues to do what I command until the end, I’ll give them authority to rule over the people groups on earth.[ref] 27 They’ll rule them with irresistible power, and those who rebel will be smashed like unwanted clay pots, 28 just like the authority that I’ve received from my father. And I’ll give them the morning star.

29 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.”

3 To the assembly’s messenger in Sardis write:

The one having the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says these things: “I know what you’re achieving and that you have a reputation of being ‘alive’, but you’re actually dead. 2 So wake up from the dead and strengthen what’s left and was about to die, because your actions have been inadequate in God’s sight. 3 Remember how you first listened to and internalised God’s message, and how you obeyed it and repented. If you don’t wake up soon, I’ll come unexpectedly—you’ll certainly not know in advance when I’ll be coming.[ref] 4 But you do have a few people in Sardis who haven’t stained their records, and because they are worthy, they’ll be dressed in white and walk with me. 5 So anyone who conquers will be dressed like that in pure white, and I certainly won’t erase their names from the Book of Life, but I’ll declare their names to my father and to his messengers.[ref]

6 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.”

7 To the assembly’s messenger in Filadelfia write:[ref]

The holy one, the true one, the one having King David’s key to the city, the one who opens doors no one can shut, and who shuts doors no one can open, says: 8 “I know everything you’ve been doing. Listen, I have placed an opened door in front of you that no one can shut. You aren’t very strong, yet you’ve obeyed my instructions and you haven’t disowned knowing me. 9 Listen, I’ll give those people from Satan’s synagogue (the ones who say that they’re believing Jews, but they’re not—they’re lying), I’ll make them so that they will come and bow down in front of you, and then they’ll know that I love you.[ref] 10 Because you followed my instructions about persevering, I will spare you from the time of trouble that all of humanity will soon experience (which will test everyone living on the earth). 11 I’ll come quickly. Hold firmly to what you have so that no one can take away your crown. 12 Anyone who’s an overcomer, I’ll make them a pillar in my God’s temple and they’ll never leave it again. I will write my God’s name on them, and the name of my God’s city (the new Jerusalem which will come down out of heaven from my God), and my new name.[ref]

13 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.”

14 To the assembly’s messenger in Laodicea write:[ref]

The truth, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation, says: 15 “I’m aware of what you’ve been doing and that you’re neither hot nor cold. (You’d benefit[fn] if you were hot or cold.) 16 So because you’re lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I’ll spit you out of my mouth. 17 You brag, ‘I’m rich, yes I’ve grown rich and don’t have any needs,’ but you don’t realise that you’re actually miserable and pitiable, and poor and blind and naked. 18 I advise you to buy gold from me that’s been refined by fire so that you might get rich, and buy white clothes so that you can dress yourself so that the shame of your nakedness might not be displayed, and buy ointment to rub on your eyes so that you’ll be able to see. 19 I tell off and discipline those that I love, so be earnest and turn away from your disobedience.[ref] 20 Yes, I stand at the door and knock—if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he’ll eat with me. 21 Anyone who overcomes, I’ll give the right to sit with me on my throne, just like when I conquered and sat with my father on his throne.

22 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.

4 After that, I looked and wow, a door opening in heaven, and the first voice that I’d heard that sounded like a trumpet told me, “Come up here and I’ll show you what must happen after those things.” 2 Immediately I was in the spirit and wow, a throne was appearing in heaven with someone sitting on it.[ref] 3 The one sitting there sparkled like jewels, and an emerald-looking rainbow encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding that throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on them sat twenty-four elders dressed in white and with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the centre throne came lightning flashes and thunderous sounds and voices. In front of it, seven torches were burning, which are God’s seven spirits.[ref] 6 In front of the throne was something like a sea of glass that was as clear as crystal.

Around the throne were four living creatures, covered both front and back with eyes.[ref] 7 This first living creature resembled a lion, the second resembled a bull, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth one resembled a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings with eyes all around and underneath them. Day and night they never stop saying:[ref]

‘Holy, holy, holy,

is the master, almighty God,

who was and is and is to come.’

9 Whenever the living creatures praise the one sitting on the throne and honour him and thank him (the one who lives through all the ages), 10 the twenty-four elders drop to their knees with their faces to the ground in front of the one sitting on the throne and worship the one who lives through all the ages. They place their crowns down in front of the throne and say:

11 “You, our God and master, are worthy to receive praise and honour and power,

because you created everything.

Everything exists just as you determined to create it.”

5 Then I saw a scroll in the right-hand of the one sitting on the throne. It had writing on both sides, and have been sealed with seven wax seals.[ref] 2 I also saw a powerful messenger who was asking in a loud voice, “Who’s worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But there wasn’t any person on earth or in the place of the dead who was permitted to open the scroll and read it. 4 I began to cry loudly, because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look, here’s the lion from the tribe of Judah. He’s the descendant of King David who’s a conqueror who’s competent to break the seals and open the scroll.”[ref]

6 Then I saw a lamb standing there between the throne and the four living creatures and the elders. The lamb looked like it had been slaughtered, and it had seven horns and seven eyes which are God’s seven spirits that had been sent throughout the world.[ref] 7 The lamb went up to the throne and accepted the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 When he’d taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders knelt down in from of the lamb. Each elder held a harp and a bowl that was full of incense (which symbolised the prayers of the believers).[ref] 9 They sung a new song like this:[ref]

“It’s you who’s worthy to take the scroll and break its seals,

because you were slaughtered and with your blood you purchased people for God

from every tribe and language and people group and nation.

10 You’ve made them to be a kingdom[ref]

and to be priests to serve our God,

and they will reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked and I heard the voices of the living creatures and elders that were around the throne along with millions of God’s messengers[ref] 12 saying with loud voices:

“The lamb that was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches,

and wisdom and strength and honour and praise and blessing.”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth, and under the earth and in the sea—everything everywhere—saying,

“Too the one sitting on the throne

and to the lamb,

be praise and honour and GLORY and power

forever and ever.”

14 Then the four living creatures said, “May it be so,” and the elders knelt down and worshipped.

6 Then I saw the lamb breaking the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, “Come,” in a thunderous voice. 2 So I looked, and wow, there was a white horse with someone sitting on it holding a bow and arrow. A crown was given to him, and then he went out as a conqueror to conquer.[ref] 3 And when the lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come,” 4 and another horse came out. It was a red horse, and the one sitting on it was given permission to withdraw peace from the earth so that people would slaughter each other, and a large sword was given to him.[ref] 5 Then the lamb broke the third seal and I heard the third living creature say, “Come.” I looked, and wow, there was a black horse, and the one sitting on it held balancing scales in his hand.[ref] 6 Then I heard something like a voice from among the four living creatures that said, “A kilo of wheat for a day’s pay, or three kilos of barley for the same price. But don’t harm the oil and wine supplies.”

7 When the lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” 8 Then I looked, and wow, there was a green horse. The one sitting on it was named ‘Death’, and Hades was sitting behind him. They were given authority over a quarter of the earth: to execute people with the sword, with famine, with death, and with the wild animals on the earth.[ref]

9 When the lamb broke the fifth seal, under the altar I saw the souls of everyone who had been killed because of God’s word and because of the testimony that they had upheld. 10 These souls called out loudly, “You, master, always do what is right and decide what is right! So please condemn and punish the people on the earth who killed us.” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and told to wait a little longer until the full number was reached of their fellow servants and brothers and sisters who would also be killed like they were.

12 When the lamb broke the sixth seal, there was a violent earthquake and the sun went black like black cloth, and the moon which was full, went red like blood.[ref] 13 Also the stars fell out of the sky, just like how a fig tree out of season drops its fruit when it gets shaken by a strong wind.[ref] 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and all the mountains and islands were moved out of their places.[ref] 15 Then the kings on the earth, and high-ranking officials, military officers, rich people and influential individuals, all slaves and free people hid in caves and among rocks on the mountains.[ref] 16 They told the mountains and rocks, “Fall down on us and hide us so that the one sitting on the throne can’t see us, and also from the lamb’s anger[ref] 17 because today is the terrible day when their anger has eventuated, and who can stand up to that?”[ref]

7 After that I saw four messengers standing around the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree.[ref] 2 Then I saw another messenger coming up from the direction of the rising sun, and he was holding the living God’s seal. He called out loudly to the four messengers that God had permitted to damage the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we can mark the seal on the foreheads of God’s servants.”[ref] 4 Then I heard the count of those who were marked with the seal. There were 144,000 from all of Israel’s tribes. 5 There were 12,000 from the tribes of Yudah, Reuben, Gad, 6 Asher, Naftali, Manasseh 7 Shimeon (Simeon), Levi, Yissakar (Issachar) 8 Zebulun, Yosef (Joseph), and Benyamin (Benjamin).

9 Afer that, I looked and wow, there was a huge crowd too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and the lamb, having been dressed in white robes and holding palm branches, 10 and they were shouting loudly, “Our God who’s sitting on the throne has saved us! The lamb has saved us!” 11 Then all the messengers stood around the throne, and around the elders and the four living beings. The messengers all knelt down in front of the throne with their faces to the ground and worshipped God 12 saying, “Yes, may it be so. May praise and GLORY and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be given to our God who lives through all the ages! May it be so.”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are those people in white robes and where have they come from?”

14 “Sir, you are the one who knows,” I answered.[ref]

And then he told me, “Those are the ones who’ve come through the terrible tribulation, and they’ve washed their robes in the blood of the lamb and made them white. 15 That’s why they’re here in front of God’s throne, and they worship him day and night in his temple, and the one sitting on the throne will extend his protection over them. 16 They won’t be hungry or thirsty any longer, and the sun won’t burn them with its scorching heat,[ref] 17 because the lamb that’s there at the throne will shepherd them. The lamb will guide them to the springs of living water, and God will ensure that every tear is wiped away from their eyes.”[ref] SHOULD THIS BE IN POETIC FORMAT?