Revelation, Day 5 Readings

The Final Battle & The New Heaven and Earth  

Today's first reading envisions the final battle between the armies of heaven and the armies of earth and the Beast.  Unlike the previous horrors and sufferings, the final battle described is completely one-sided.  After a great angelic song of praise, an army mounted on white horses descends from heaven, which completely slaughter the army of the Beast, before throwing the Beast and the antichrist into a lake of fire (presumably, Hell).

Read Revelation 19:1-21  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading describes the glory of heaven after the final battle -- a new Jerusalem, which stretches almost beyond imagination (some 1500 miles on a side) and is made with gold and the finest stones.  It is all wonderfully ornate and gleaming, a reward for those who have been faithful to God.  The only difference between the old and new Jerusalem is that there is no need for a Temple because God already resides there, alongside Jesus (the Lamb).

Read Revelation 21:1-27  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Revelation 19-22 today.