When John tries to describe the One seated on the throne in Revelation 4, you can sense him reaching for words that don’t quite exist. He doesn’t say “God looked like…” He says “had the appearance of …” It’s as though John is saying, “I saw it… but I can’t fully describe it. He’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.” And what he describes isn’t a face or a form, but color. Light. Radiance. Glory.
He begins describing God, not in anthropomorphic terms, but by writing,
“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.” (Revelation 4:3)
Jasper and carnelian. These aren’t just decorations, they’re symbols loaded with meaning. Jasper, in the ancient world, was a precious and often translucent stone. Later, in Revelation 21:11, the city of God shines with jasper that is “clear as crystal,” representing purity, majesty, and the brilliance of God’s glory. Carnelian, a fiery red gem, carries the weight of judgment and redemption. It’s the color of blood, of sacrifice, of costly love. Together, they tell us this: the One on the throne is both holy and merciful. He’s brilliant in light and burning with love.
And then John says something even more surprising: around the throne was a rainbow, shining like an emerald. A rainbow was God’s ancient sign of covenant faithfulness, and the rainbow in heaven completely encircles the throne. But this one isn’t multicolored like rainbows we’re familiar with; it’s emerald green. Green, the color of life, flourishing, and renewal. In other words, the throne of God is surrounded by peace. Encircled by life. Framed by a promise that mercy has the last word.
What are we supposed to do with this vision? Maybe we don’t decode it so much as behold it. Maybe the point isn’t to explain every gem and hue, but to stand in awe and say, “God is clothed in unexplainable beauty.” The psalmist says it like this:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment…” (Psalm 104:1–2)
God wears light as a garment. Maybe looking at God is like looking at the sun. Today, pause and look up… not with your eyes, but with your spirit. Let the beauty of God anchor your soul. Let His radiance shape your reality. Because the throne isn’t just beautiful, it’s true. And the One who sits there reigns right now. In the midst of whatever you are walking through, He is seated on the throne.
Pastor Ryan Paulson