Before we precede any further with this chapter and the next it is VERY IMPORTANT to point out that THIS IS NOT A LITERAL SCENE OF HEAVEN, and for that reason, is not what you would actually see if you went to heaven. This vision is intended to teach a symbolic lesson, to instruct us in things that are going to happen with God’s plan. Being in the spirit is like being in a trance. This is similar to Paul, when he saw visions of the third heaven, in which he questioned whether he had actually been in the body, or not.

DO NOT allow yourselves to fall prey to the literalist viewpoint who perceive the things pictured in this vision as literal, viz. a literal open door, literal thrones, literal elders and etc., this is a grave mistake which only leads to more confusion, remember the book of Revelation is a book of “signs”, a symbolic prophecy. Many of the things seen are merely meant as pictures or symbols of the realities intended.

There is not a literal door one passes through to enter into heaven no more than there is a literal stairway leading to heaven. Nor is there an actual throne which the Almighty sits upon. God is not subject to same laws which govern men, He does not dwell in structures with doors and windows, chairs and tables; we need to stop trying to force God into the earthly sphere. Understand we are not suggesting that these things as viewed by the Apostle did not appear literal to him, probably very much so. In presenting this vision to John the Lord would have of necessity had to use those things which both John and we were familiar as the symbols in order for us to get the picture intended.

Revelation Chapter 4

VERSE 3 “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.”

AND HE WHO SAT THERE WAS LIKE A JASPER (STONE):

(Compare Rev 21:11 where this stone is described as precious or costly, —brilliant, and crystal clear.) Obviously, God does not LOOK LIKE any of His descriptions. The many items used here and elsewhere to represent Him are used so that we understand things about His character or office. TWO particular stones are here used to represent God.

The first is the DIAMOND (Jasper) which, being “crystal clear,” shows us the clarity of His character, (Compare James 1:17) His purity, His unadulterated attributes. This clarity makes a diamond brilliant. The clarity of character gives God GLORY —a difficult word to define. It is this complex word GLORY that the Jasper seems to represent.

Pictured above are two varieties of Jasper stones the New Testament variety being described in our text and the Old Testament variety which was used in the High priest Breastplate.

AND A SARDIUS STONE IN APPEARANCE:

Brethren who have studied these stones (e. g., Burns, Mann, Frey, and Brother Shallieu) suggest that LOVE is what this stone represents. This idea MAY be bolstered by a comparison of Rev 21:20 where the Sardius is numbered as the 6th stone.

Since six (by itself, at least) represents in-completion, it is not unlikely that love, which must remain relatively inactive toward the race until the Church is complete, is shown here by this stone. The Sardius (Carnelian or Cameo stone) is a warm red color with a texture capable of being carved. It is suggested that this flesh-like color and impressionable quality represents love even as the “third living one” of Verse 7 (a face of a man) represents love.

What do we usually have carved on a Cameo stone? The face of a man! This might suggest that the glory of the Diamond (Jasper) equates with justice, power, and wisdom —things which might seem impersonal; the love of the Cameo stone would show the compensating love. The words IN APPEARANCE suggest, perhaps, that God, though brilliant, appears approachable (warm) to those who know Him. The same phrase regarding the Emerald might suggest this interpretation. The COLOR of the stone, NOT the stone, is of import in this part of the interpretation.

“This stone is listed as the first stone in the High priest Breastplate, the Sardius being a semitransparent silica, a form of quartz with a waxy luster and a smooth, rounded surface that is creamy white in color (that is when cut parallel to the red and white bands as can be seen in the middle picture above) … the white surface layer representing purity and justice, the lower or hidden layer, the red strata, mercy and love. In connection with the Breastplate it represents a non-compromising yet sympathetic and approachable class, possessing a “heart of flesh” full of tenderness and compassion as well as a sensitivity to both right and wrong.”

Because this picture of our Creator is of such importance to us, we should like to take another look at this first part of Verse 3 from another Brothers perspective in our next post.