Revelation 4:1-4 "Come up here"

Revelation 4:1-4 John is in spirit, although he was already in spirit (Rev 1:10); to see the scene in heaven must have been part of a much stronger experience than hearing the voice and seeing Jesus. The voice like a trumpet is perhaps that of an angel, as they are oft depicted holding a trumpet and are God's heralds. First John sees the throne, and the One who sat on it was compared to two precious gems, jasper and sardius, and a rainbow compared to a third gem, an emerald. John offers no other description of that One who sits on the throne, although Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel had offered other details. (Isaiah 6:1-7; Ezekiel 1:4-28; 10:1-22; Daniel 7:9-10 & 13-14)  John identifies 24 elders who wear crowns and white robes.

          The appearance of God the Father seated on the throne is perhaps irrelevant except as it pertains to symbolizing His nature and character.  Precious gems speak of the incredible value of the intrinsic nature of God the Father.  Both jasper and emerald are part of the holy garments that were decreed for the high priest (Exodus 28:15-20). Sardius is an orangish-red quartz most likely similar to a ruby, also mentioned in Exodus. Emerald is of course green, and jasper is as well, although jasper can take other shades.  Curiously all these gems are also part of the original covering of the anointed cherub who covered in the Garden of Eden. (Ezekiel 28:13-14) This was of course a description of Lucifer, the light-bearer, before he fell.  Lucifer lost all Godlike attributes of his nature when he fell and became Satan, the accuser. Red and green remind us of Christmas, but God's eternal character is symbolized by red and green gems surrounded by a green rainbow. Perhaps this speaks of biological life (green of chlorophyll and red of blood) and spiritual life (a green rainbow hinting that life in the Holy Spirit is more transferred like Cherenkov radiation than reproductive like plants or flesh & blood).

          The 24 elders crowned and wearing white must stand for the company of the redeemed, although we see the vast multitude standing before the throne later. (Rev 19:6) Crowns symbolize authority, and white cleanliness or purity, so jointly these symbols tell us that the redeemed have authority to be pure. Restated, the Lord has given them power to overcome all sin so that they can stand faultless before the throne.