Apocalypse

22 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 19 S. John being banished in the isle Patmos, is commanded to write to the seven Churches of Asia (signified by the seven candlesticks) that which he saw upon a Sunday, round about the Son of man: 13 whose manner of apparition is described.
2. 2He is commanded to write divers things to the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus, and Thyatira: praising them that had not admitted the doctrine of the Heretics called Nicolaita, 22 and calling others by threats unto penance: 26 and promising reward to him that manfully overcometh.
3. 3He is commanded to write to the Churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicia: rebuking them that err to penance by threatening, but praising the rest, and promising reward to him that overcometh: 15 detesting also the cold indifferent Christian. 20 He saith that God knocketh at the door of mens hearts by offering his grace, for to enter in to him that will open unto him by consent of free will.
4. 41 A door being open in heaven, he saw one sitting in a throne, 4 and round about him four and twenty seniors sitting, 6 and the four beasts here described, 9 which with the 24 seniors continually glorified him that sat in the throne.
5. 54 St. John weeping, because no man could open the book sealed with seven seals: 6 the Lamb that was slain, opened it: which being done, 9 the four beasts and four and twenty seniors, with an innumerable multitude of Angels and all creatures, did glorify him exceedingly.
6. 61 Four seals of the seven being opened, there follow divers effects against the earth. 9 when the fifth seal was opened, the souls of martyrs desire that the judgement may be hastened: 12 and at the opening of the sixth, there are signs shewed of the judgement to come.
7. 7The earth being to be punished, 3 they are commanded to save them that are signed in their foreheads: 4 which are described and numbered both of the Jews and Gentiles, blessing God. 13 Of them that were clothed in white stoles or long robes.
8. 81 The seventh seal being opened, there appear Angels with trumpets: 5 and when another Angel poured out fire taken from the altar, upon the earth, there follow divers tempests. 7 In like manner, whiles four Angels sound their trumpets, there fall sundry plagues.
9. 9The fifth Angel sounding the trumpet, a star falleth. 3 The issuing forth of locusts from the smoke of the deep pit to vex men, 7 and the description of them. 13 The sixth Angel sounding, four Angels are let loose, 18 which with a great troop of horsemen do murder the third part of men.
10. 10Another strong Angel crying out, 3 seven thunders do speak. 6 The Angel sweareth that there shall be time no more, but at the voice of the seventh Angel the mystery shall be fully accomplished, 9 He giveth John a book to devour.
11. 11S. John measuring the Temple, 3 heareth of two witnesses that shall preach: 7 whom the beast coming up from the sea shall kill. 11 but they rising again ascend into heaven, 13 and seven thousand persons are slain with an earthquake: 15 and at the sound of the seventh Angel, the four and twenty seniors give praise and thanks to God.
12. 124 The great dragon (the Devil) watching the woman that brought forth a man child, to devour it. God took away the child to himself, and fed the woman in the desert. 7 Michael fighting with the dragon overcometh him. 13 Who being thrown down to the earth, persecuteth the woman & her seed.
13. 131 A beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns & ten diadems, 5 blasphemeth God, 7 and warreth against the Saints & destroyeth them. 11 And an other beast rising out of the earth with two horns, was altogether for the foresaid beast, constraining men to make and adore the image thereof, and to have the character of his name.
14. 141 Virgins follow the Lamb whithersoever, singing a new canticle. 6 One Angel evangelizeth the Gospel: 8 an other Angel telleth the fall of Babylon: 9 the third declareth their torments that have adored the beast. Moreover 14 the same having sickle, 16 one of them is commanded to reap during the corn, 18 the other to gather the grapes as in vintage, which are trodden in the lake of God's wrath.
15. 152 They that had now overcome the beast and his image and the number of his name, do glorify God. 6 To seven Angels having the seven last plagues, are given seven cups full of the wrath of God.
16. 16Upon the pouring out of the seven cups of God's wrath, on the land, the sea, the fountains, the seat of the beast, Euphrates and the air: there arise sundry plagues in the world.
17. 17The harlot Babylon clothed with divers ornaments, 6 and drunken of the blood of Martyrs, sitteth upon a beast that hath seven heads and ten horns: 7 all which things the Angel expoundeth.
18. 18The fall of Babylon, her judgement, plagues and revenges: for the which, 9 the kings, 16 and merchants of the earth that sometime did cleave unto her, shall mourn bitterly: 20 but heaven, and the Apostles and Prophets shall rejoice.
19. 19The Saints glorifying God for the judgement pronounced upon the harlot, 7 the marriage of the Lamb is prepared. 10 The Angel refuseth to be adored of S. John. 11 There appeareth one (who is the word of God, and the King of kings and Lord of lords) sitting on a horse, with a great army, and fighting against the beast and the kings of the earth: and their armies: 21 the birds of the air being in the mean time called to devour their flesh.
20. 20An Angel casteth the dragon (or devil) bound, into the depth for a thousand years, in which the souls of martyrs in the first resurrection shall reign with Christ. 7 After which years, Satan being let loose, shall raise Gog and Magog, an innumerable army, against the beloved city: 9 but a fire from heaven shall destroy them. 12 Then books are opened, and he that sitteth upon the throne, judgeth all the dead according to their works.
21. 21Heaven and earth being made new, S. John seeth the new city Jerusalem prepared and adorned for the spouse of the Lamb. 6 The just are glorified, 7 and the wicked thrust into the pool of fire. 12 The wall and gates and foundations of the city are described and measured: 18 all which are gold and crystal, precious stones and pearls.
22. 22The tree of life, being watered with living water, yieldeth fruits every month. 3. There is neither curse nor night in the city. 6. The Angel that showed John all these things, refuseth to be adored of him. 14. He telleth him that the just shall enter into the city, but the rest shall be cast forth. 18. Lastly, he provoketh and threateneth against them that shall presume to add to this prophecy, or take away from the same.