I took the little scroll from his hand and ate it, and it tasted sweet as honey in my mouth. But after I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach.

I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne; it was covered with writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.

But there was no one in heaven or on earth or in the world below who could open the scroll and look inside it.

Then one of the elders said to me, "Don't cry. Look! The Lion from Judah's tribe, the great descendant of David, has won the victory, and he can break the seven seals and open the scroll."

Then I saw the Lamb break open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice that sounded like thunder, "Come!"

Then the Lamb broke open the second seal; and I heard the second living creature say, "Come!"

I saw a hand reaching out toward me, and it was holding a scroll.

The hand unrolled the scroll, and I saw that there was writing on both sides---cries of grief were written there, and wails and groans.

Then the angel that I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven

Then the voice that I had heard speaking from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go and take the open scroll which is in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land."

Ask, and I will give you all the nations; the whole earth will be yours.

You answer us by giving us victory, and you do wonderful things to save us. People all over the world and across the distant seas trust in you.

I help kings to govern and rulers to make good laws.

Every ruler on earth governs with my help, officials and nobles alike.

From east to west everyone will fear him and his great power. He will come like a rushing river, like a strong wind.

Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

which he used when he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly world.

God put all things under Christ's feet and gave him to the church as supreme Lord over all things.

And so, in honor of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees,

and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.