What does Revelation 4:3 mean?
John continues here to explain the vision he saw when transported, in some sense, to heaven through the Spirit of God. This verse tells us God appeared with the likeness of precious jewels. Each carries a certain symbolism that we are meant to understand.The jasper stone John saw refers to a clear jewel, perhaps resembling a diamond. It portrays God's absolute purity and perfection. The carnelian was ruby red. It portrays God as our Redeemer. Israel's high priest wore the jasper and carnelian and ten other gemstones on his chest (Exodus 28:17–21). Each of the twelve stones represented a tribe of Israel. Just as the high priest wore the tribes of Israel symbolically on his chest, so Jesus, our High Priest carries us Christians on His heart. Jasper and carnelian are also the first and last gems, respectively, on the high priest's garments. This description not only reinforces that God is the "first and the last (Revelation 1:8; 22:13)", it also identifies Jesus as God, as both perfection and our redeemer.
John also indicates that an emerald rainbow circled God's throne. An emerald is green and symbolizes life. The rainbow first appeared to Noah and his sons after the Flood as a token of God's promise to refrain from sending another flood to destroy the world (Genesis 9:8–17). The emerald rainbow around God's throne likely indicates that His promise of eternal life is guaranteed.
Revelation 4:1–6 describes the apostle John's experience of being in the Spirit and being transported to heaven. There, he sees the radiance of God described as precious jewels. Further, he sees twenty-four other thrones, occupied by twenty-four elders. He also witnesses seven burning torches and a sea of glass in front of God's throne. Near the throne are four creatures that ascribe threefold holiness to God.
John reports in the opening verse of Revelation 4 that he saw a door open in heaven and heard a voice beckoning him to come up to heaven. From heaven's vantage point John would witness future events. Upon his arrival in heaven, John saw God. He was sitting on a throne surrounded by twenty-four other thrones. A sea of glass lay in front of God's throne, and four living creatures were beside the throne. When the living creatures ascribed honor and praise to God, the elders who occupied the twenty-four thrones fell down and worshiped God. They cast their crowns before Him and praised Him.
