Bible In Poetry: Revelation 4 Poem by Dr John Celes

1And then, I looked and saw a door
Before me, open in heaven.
The voice I had first heard, then spoke,
A trumpet-like to me and said,
'You come up here, and I’ll show you
What ought to take place after this.'
2At once, I was in Spirit’s way,
And there before me lay a throne,
In heaven, on which someone sat.
3 The one who sat upon it looked
Akin to jasper, carnelian.
An emerald-like rainbow lay,
Encircling throne in gorgeous way.
4Around the throne were twenty-four
More thrones, and elders sat on them.
They’re clad in dress of purest white,
And wore gold crowns upon their heads.
5 And from the throne arose flashes
Of lightning and peals of thunder.
Before the throne, blazed seven lamps,
And these were God’s seven Spirits.
6 Before the throne, there was a sea
Of glass that appeared crystal-clear.
Around the throne, in the center,
There were four living creatures, who
Had eyes both in front and in back.
7The first creature was lion-like,
The second one was like an ox,
The third one had a face like man,
The fourth looked flying eagle-like.
8Each of the creatures had six wings,
Covered with many eyes around,
And present ev’n under its wings.
All day and night, they said non-stop:
'Holy, holy, holy Lord, God,
The Almighty, who was, and is,
And is to come.'
9And whenever the creatures gave
Glory, honor and thanks to Him,
Who sits upon the mighty throne,
And who lives for ever and ever,
10 The elders fell down before Him,
Who sat upon the heav’nly throne,
And worshipped Him who lives forev’r.
They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11'You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory, honor, pow’r,
For You created all the things,
And by Your will, were they created,
And have their being forever.'