As we continue our tour of the Throne Room of Heaven in Revelation chapter 4, we find that God is spirit, yet has a visible form depicted symbolically, so that John would impart to the saints the character of God, His nature and integrity, because this is the image from which every human being is designed...Gen. 1:26.
And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald...Rev. 4:3. We defined the symbolism of the stones in blog #4, today we will define the symbolism of the rainbow. Remember, the throne room is where all creation was designed and we are getting a brief tour of this majestic place.
The rainbow around the throne is symbolic of God's covenant with mankind. When He set the rainbow in the sky, it symbolized His promise to never again destroy mankind with a flood. While the rainbow around the throne is a complete circle, on the earth it appears as a half circle. This symbolizes that covenants are never broken by God...they are always broken by men.
The dominant color of the rainbow is green - emerald stone - symbolizing mercy and peace. The dominate characteristic of God is mercy, demonstrated by the humility of His longsuffering during centuries of false accusations from His beloved human beings. All of these colorful symbols reveal to John that God is merciful, holy, pure and virtuous, forgives, yet holy avenger - peace personified - where His brightness radiates throughout the heavenly realm - providing tranquility and protection for all.
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads...Rev. 4:4. Who are these elders and what do they symbolize?
Twelve of the elders around the throne of God represent the twelve tribes of Israel - old covenant government. The other twelve elders represent the twelve apostles - new covenant government. These glorified human beings (elders) are wearing white robes - symbolizing that their hearts have been purified by the blood of Jesus Christ. The crowns of gold on their heads symbolize kings & priests, an honor bestowed upon them by Jesus Christ, when they began to reign with Him on the earth.
Next we see...the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying...You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things and by Your will they exist and were created...Rev. 4:10-11. These glorified human beings are recognizing that all creation was accomplished by God in His throne room - by His Will they exist and were created.
And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices...seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God...Rev. 4:5. Fire symbolizes the glory of God. Seven lamps of fire symbolizes the perpetual glory of God - never ending. Since the number seven symbolizes perfect and complete - the seven spirits of God symbolize the completed works and diverse nature of the Holy Spirit of God.
Thunderings, and voices symbolize the thunderous non-stop praises from redeemed human beings harmonizing with the angels of God, to the King of Kings for His victory on the earth - conquering sin. Lightnings are flashing brilliant hues of color throughout the heavenly realm - majestic and glorious..
There is so much exciting symbolism in this chapter and the next verse will require some Old Testament confirmation....Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal...Rev. 4:6a. The sea of glass symbolizes the purity of the living God in the Holy of Holies, where no impurity can enter - ever!
Before Jesus Christ paid the price of His blood to purify the heart of a human being forever - sins blotted out - mankind cleansed his heart from sin by sacrificing the blood of unblemished animals through ceremonies and rituals. This process allowed for temporary atonement - sins were only covered, not removed. Before the priests could minister to the Lord in the temple, they had to go through a cleansing ritual called the Sea. How is this symbolic of the sea of glass? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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