IV.
AFTER these I saw, and, behold, a door (was) open in heaven. And the first voice that I had heard as a trumpet talking with me, said,
Come up hither, and I will make thee see the (things) which must be after these.
At once I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne 1 placed in heaven, and upon the throne (One) sat. And he who sat was like to the appearance of the stone of jaspon, and of sardion; and the bow of the clouds was around the throne, in resemblance to the appearance of zmragda. Around the throne 2 were seats 3 twenty and four; and upon those seats twenty and four presbyters 4 sitting, who were robed in white vestments, and upon their heads wore coronets 5 of gold. And from the throne went forth lightnings and the voice of thunders. And there were seven lamps of fire which burned before His throne, which are the seven Spirits of Aloha. And before the throne was a sea of brightness 6 like chrystalos; and in the midst of the throne, and around it, and before the throne, four living-ones,7 who were full of eyes before and behind. And the first living-one was like the lion, and the second living-one was like the calf, and the third living-one had a face as a man, and the fourth living-one was like the eagle which flieth. And these four living-ones, each of them, had six wings round about; and within were full of eyes; and they rest not day and night from saying,
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who wast, and art, and art to come.
And when those living-ones give glory and honour and thanks 8 unto Him who sitteth upon the throne, to Him who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty presbyters fell before Him who sitteth upon the throne, and worshipped Him who liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Worthy art thou, O Lord,
And our God the Holy One,
To receive glory and honour and power;
For thou hast created all,
And by thy hand they are,
And through thy will they were and are created.
1 Kursio, a seat of state.
2 Thronos.
3 Kursothee.
4 Kashishee.
5 Kalilee.
6 Zagugitho, Heb. Zechuchith; root, zakak, to shine, be transparent.
7 Chaivothee, " animated beings; " from chai, " to live."
8 More strictly, (kubol-taibutho,) acceptance of thanks, that is, as by the divine hand.
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