May 20: CHARACTER AND GIFTS OF GOD
And He who sat there [on the throne] was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Revelation 4:3
The diamond-like facets of our amazing God are multitudinous. In sparkling brilliance beyond our imagination, He radiates love, power, and protection over the lives of those who trust in Him. In the Bible, jasper is a brilliant, sparkling stone known for its clarity and transparency. Our Lord is clear and transparent with His people. “In secret, I have said nothing” says He (John 18:20). The heavenly City of Peace rests upon a foundation, the first layer of which is adorned with jasper. All reality is founded upon God. The walls of the City are also made of jasper (Revelation 21:18,19). This diamond-like clarity, while transparent, is indescribably beautiful; a fitting symbol for our God. It is only because of the absolute purity of His character of love that we exist and have a solid foundation upon which to build our life. This fallen world is a place of great danger, yet we may tread safely because of the protection afforded by the truth of His word. Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him (Proverbs 30:5).
The sardius stone is blood red in color. This type of stone is named for the area in which it was found: Sardis. The breastplate of the high priest, who represented Christ in the Old Testament tabernacle, was adorned with precious stones. This breastplate, worn over the heart, symbolizes the love of God. The first stone of the first row is sardius (Exodus 28:17; 39:10). Hebrew reads right to left, so it is the upper right stone. Its color brings to mind the shed blood of the Savior, a reminder to God’s people of the terrible cost of salvation from sin. This red stone adorns the sixth layer of the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20). It is also the first stone mentioned for the covering of Lucifer when he was created (Ezekiel 28:13). Though he was perfect when created (v.15) he corrupted [his] wisdom for the sake of [his] splendor (v.17), a sober reminder that, apart from a close walk with Christ, each of us will continue in default mode toward a corrupted character.
In heaven the semblance of a rainbow encircles the throne and overarches the head of Christ. The prophet says, “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about [the throne]. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD” Ezekiel 1:28. The revelator declares, “there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.” When man by his great wickedness invites the divine judgments, the Saviour, interceding with the Father in man’s behalf, points to the bow in the clouds, to the rainbow around the throne and above His own head, as a token of the mercy of God toward the repentant sinner. PATRIOTS AND PROPHETS by Ellen G. White (p.107)
Rich variations of emerald green are found in the beauties of nature. Though we are all under a death sentence, the precepts of nourishment and growth leading to resurrection and eternal life are the gifts of the Creator found in the truth of His word.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18