Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, which the prostitute was sitting on, stand for the races, multitudes, nations, and languages of the world.
Then I saw another angel flying high in the air. He came to announce the never-ending good news to everyone on earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and race.
They sang a new song that said, “You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals, because you were put to death, and you bought people for God with your blood. They come from every tribe, language, race, and nation.
I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand, and I ate it. In my mouth it tasted as sweet as honey, but when I’d eaten it, it became sour in my stomach.
I was given a long stick that looked like a measuring rod, and I was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar where the people are worshiping.
“The ten horns you saw are ten kings. They haven’t yet begun to rule, but for a short time they will receive authority to rule together with the beast.