12-13. I heard a strong voice out of Heaven calling, “Come up here!” and up they went to Heaven, wrapped in a cloud, their enemies watching it all. At that moment there was a gigantic earthquake—a tenth of the city fell to ruin, seven thousand perished in the earthquake, the rest frightened to the core of their being, frightened into giving honor to the God-of-Heaven.
14. The second doom is past, the third doom coming right on its heels.
15-18. The seventh Angel trumpeted. A crescendo of voices in Heaven sang out,The kingdom of the world is nowthe Kingdom of our God and his Messiah!He will rule forever and ever!The Twenty-four Elders seated before God on their thrones fell to their knees, worshiped, and sang,We thank you, O God, Sovereign-Strong,Who Is and Who Was.You took your great powerand took over—reigned!The angry nations nowget a taste of your anger.The time has come to judge the dead,to reward your servants, all prophets and saints,Reward small and great who fear your Name,and destroy the destroyers of earth.
19. The doors of God’s Temple in Heaven flew open, and the Ark of his Covenant was clearly seen surrounded by flashes of lightning, loud shouts, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a fierce hailstorm.