Heaven isn’t something we see every day. This devotional reading looks at what John saw when he walked through the door to Heaven – God sitting on His throne.
Nuggets
- John really didn’t describe the throne he saw in Heaven.
- John saw Someone with the appearance of jewels.
- The emerald rainbow denotes God’s mercy.
We just talked about John getting invited to cross the threshold into Heaven. What emotions were coursing through him!
But Heaven would be nothing without God on His throne.
Let's Put It into Context
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Devotions in the Opening the Door of Heaven series
A Throne
“... and behold, a throne stood in heaven …” (Rev. 4: 2 ESV)
John really didn’t describe the throne he saw in Heaven.
We don’t really know why there was no description of the throne. Maybe it was indescribable. Maybe he wanted the focus to be on the One on the throne rather than the throne itself.
Ezekiel described the throne that he saw in his vision. “And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance” (Ezek. 1: 26 ESV). The sapphire has also been translated as lapis lazuli.
We know that this is a throne of grace and mercy. We need both from God.
Grace is a free and unmerited gift of love from the Heavenly Father, given through His Son, Jesus Christ, that enables salvation and spiritual healing to believers by the work of the Holy Spirit. God’s mercy is an act of sovereign will that produces an unexpected and undeserved response from God as He responds in love to our needs.
Grace is when we get what we don’t deserve. Mercy is when we don’t get what we deserve.
God extends this grace and mercy to us through His holiness and justice.
Isaiah told us that the throne was high and lifted up. “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up …” (Isa. 6: 1 ESV).
Jeremiah agreed with the high part and added the glorious part. “A glorious throne set on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary”
The throne is high and lifted up because it belongs to Sovereign God. He has authority over everything. We acknowledge that when we acknowledge His existence.
That should give us comfort. The Creator Who needs no other entity to rule is high above us, seeing all things and in control.
Young pointed out that, just as God is not going to change, neither will the throne. Just as God is eternal and the Alpha and Omega, so is the throne eternal.
Resource
God isn’t Sovereign God for just a day. He is Sovereign God for eternity. He didn’t defeat anyone to gain this sovereignty.
How does this jive with what Isaiah said? “Thus says the LORD: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?’” (Isa. 66: 1 ESV).
No, that isn’t a fluke. It is referenced elsewhere in God’s Word.
- “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (I Kgs. 8: 27 ESV).
- “But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God” (Mt. 5: 34 ESV).
- “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?” (Ac. 7: 49 ESV).
That is appropriate. Thrones are a symbol of government. Here, it is showing that God is not only the ruler of Heaven, but He is also the ruler of earth.
Yes, Stephen was quoting that verse right before he was stoned.
Is the throne referenced here the great white throne we will see in Revelation 20? Is it the seat of judgment?
Probably.
We know for certain that it is a throne of holiness.
God is God. If He wants more than one throne, He can have it. I, personally, don’t think that will be His choice, though.
The significant point is that God’s throne is in Heaven. Really, it is Heaven.
I think just as significant is that it points to God’s authority over everything. It shows He governs all there is.
Yes, God even governs earth – and us.
One Seated on the Throne
“... with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian …” (Rev. 4: 2-3 ESV)
John saw Someone with the appearance of jewels.
Okay. This confuses me.
Usually, we would think that John would have been describing the throne. Not in this case. “And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian …” (Rev. 4: 3 ESV).
These are stones that were included in the High Priest’s breastplate (Ex. 28: 17-20). Jasper is the finest form of a diamond. Carnelian, also called sardius, is a ruby.
Those stones represented the tribes of Israel. Jasper represents Benjamin, and carnelian represents Reuben.
Does that remind anyone else of the alpha and omega?
We are going to come up on these stones again in Revelation 21. They are used to describe the glory of New Jerusalem.
John has to be speaking of God. But an appearance of jewels is a whole lot different than the eyes of flame, feet of bronze, mouth boasting a two-edged sword description of Revelation 1.
Plus, it is not the normal description of God. The Revelation 1 description is the standard one.
Why the discrepancy? We know humans are complex creature. God would be even more so.
Both descriptions could be accurate. This is describing the face of God. The others were describing specific elements of His face.
That is logical. If you are focusing on my long, blond hair, you might miss my blue eyes. Or your description of me might be different if you are looking at all of me instead of various aspects.
The eyes, feet, and mouth may be highlighted because the context of those passages of Scripture needed God the Judge. This passage may be looking at the God of Peace. Young said this envisioned God in a state of repose.
Resource
Exell told us why we should be pleased that God does govern us. Following are the connections I made from the list.
- Because He is unchanging, He is stable.
- He is majestic.
- He does not pick favorites, so He is consistent in His judgments.
- God is the God of Peace (I Thess. 5: 23), and He is always victorious.
Resource
Isaiah didn’t describe God, just his train. “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isa. 6: 1 ESV).
I don’t think we really need any other description of God. We get that He is a judge. We get that He is even keeled.
What else do we need?
A Rainbow
“... and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald” (Rev. 4: 3 ESV)
The emerald rainbow denotes God’s mercy.
Ezekiel equated the rainbow around God’s throne with brightness. “Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around …” (Ezek. 1: 28 ESV).
The rainbow is often described by jewels – emerald this time. Also in the High Priest’s breastplate, the tribe it represents is Judah.
That was the tribe in which Jesus was a descendent. Judah became the leader of the family when Reuben staged a coup and Simeon and Levi became murderers.
The rainbow was God’s promise. “I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Gen. 9: 13 ESV).
The rainbow was always a symbol of reconciliation. But it also emphasized God’s hatred for sin. The rainbow wouldn’t be needed if mankind had not sinned.
Combine all of this, and we get the canopy for God’s throne.
Well, it is more than that. It is on every side of the throne — over, under, and all around.
The rainbow is more than the backdrop. It is the setting itself.
Young said the rainbow symbolizes “… God’s glory and perfections; it was the token of His love, the emblem of His mercy, and the pledge of His faithfulness, His counsel and His covenant.”
Resource
Several of the sermons talked about the emerald rainbow symbolizing the covenant. I can see that.
We think of green — especially in the springtime — as life and growth. The covenant is a promise that God will always be at peace with us. He agrees to bless us.
We have to accept the terms of the covenant. We are not just entitled to His blessings.
Spencer made an interesting connection. A rainbow reflects the sun on airborne water. Grace is reflected through Jesus.
Resource
God’s mercy is clearly on display around the throne. So it is in Jesus, too.
That just solidifies that we must come through Jesus by salvation to access the mercy and grace of God.
Making the Connections
The throne and the rainbow. Isn’t it appropriate the two are married together here?
The throne — the symbol of authority and governance. Thrones are the seat of power.
God definitely has that.
Judgment is a vital component of that power and governance. The one who is ruling on the throne gets to make the laws and the consequences of breaking those laws.
The rainbow — the symbol of mercy. Its beauty magnifies God’s holiness. It showcases His glory.
Brown said it best. He wrote, “In all God’s dealings with man there have been blended mercy with judgment, forgiveness with chastisement.”
Resource
Worldview people — when they think of God — want to see Him only as loving. They don’t want the judgment part.
We can’t have one without the other.
How Do We Apply This?
- Understand and accept that God is ruler of all – even us.
Resource
Father God. We cannot wait to see, like John, You sitting on Your throne. We know that when we do, that will be our view for the rest of eternity. We want to worship You on Your seat of power and authority. Amen.
What do you think?
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