They cried loudly, and in their sorrow they threw dust on their heads, as they said, "Pity the great city of Babylon! Everyone who sailed the seas became rich from her treasures. But in a single hour the city was destroyed. The heavens should be happy with God?s people and apostles and prophets. God has punished her for them." 21 A powerful angel then picked up a huge stone and threw it into the sea. The angel said, "This is how the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to rise again.
22 The music of harps and singers and of flutes and trumpets will no longer be heard. No workers will ever set up shop in that city, and the sound of grinding grain will be silenced forever.
23 Lamps will no longer shine anywhere in Babylon, and couples will never again say wedding vows there. Her merchants ruled the earth, and by her witchcraft she fooled all nations.
24 On the streets of Babylon is found the blood of God?s people and of his prophets, and everyone else." 19 After this, I heard what sounded like a lot of voices in heaven, and they were shouting, "Praise the Lord! To our God belongs the glorious power to save, 2 because his judgments are honest and fair. That filthy prostitute ruined the earth with shameful deeds. But God has judged her and made her pay the price for murdering his servants." 3 Then the crowd shouted, "Praise the Lord! Smoke will never stop rising from her burning body."
4 After this, the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures all knelt before the throne of God and worshiped him. They said, "Amen! Praise the Lord!"
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
5 From the throne a voice said, "If you worship and fear our God, give praise to him, no matter who you are." 6 Then I heard what seemed to be a large crowd that sounded like a roaring flood and loud thunder all mixed together. They were saying, "Praise the Lord! Our Lord God All-Powerful now rules as king.
7 So we will be glad and happy and give him praise. The wedding day of the Lamb is here, and his bride is ready. 8 She will be given a wedding dress made of pure and shining linen. This linen stands for the good things God?s people have done." 9 Then the angel told me, "Put this in writing. God will bless everyone who is invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." The angel also said, "These things that God has said are true." 10 I knelt at the feet of the angel and began to worship him. But the angel said, "Don?t do that! I am a servant, just like you and everyone else who tells about Jesus. Don?t worship anyone but God. Everyone who tells about Jesus does it by the power of the Spirit."