After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,
Comment: Entering chapter Four we are entering a new and different concept and understanding. Before this Jesus was appearing to the Apostle John and dictating messages which John had to record, as all scribes did. Messages were for the churches of that time and which we can very reasonably accept as messages for the churches of all ages of history.
Here John enters the world which exists all around us but which is hidden from our eyes! Much of what John will describe has meanings revealed in the past in the Old Testament and the New. There is much which needs understanding. It is real but described in terms which make us wonder and cause us to desire to know more. At least they cause us to bow in worship to our glorious God. I shall seek to draw our eyes to what causes me to think, question and yet want to know more as I am sure that the picture described by John is true and has real meaning!
Does the throne on which God is seated symbolize ‘authority’? Surely God fills the Universe and can’t be limited to a seat on a throne! Why is the throne overshadowed by a green rainbow? Is the rainbow meant to remind us of a specific promise to Noah, or perhaps of the promises of God which have been or are now about to be fulfilled? Why is the rainbow ‘green’ like emerald. Does it represent the resurrection in which the new life is found and by which all the promises of God are fulfilled. We will look more tomorrow.
Prayer:Our past must be faced in the future. Help me to live according to your Word, with faith in Jesus, so that I can be confident of Your forgiveness and Your Grace!
As I read it! 