The Beauty of God

And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Rev.4:3-5)
Wow! How tremendous! It is almost impossible to even comment on such amazing truths, taking a brief look at the worship around God’s Throne, illustrated with such God-inspired words, so we’ll just seek to glean some of these glorious truths for our spiritual edification as we think of our Savior's death and resurrection for us that makes it all possible.

It seems these awesome colors are representative of the glory of God!
And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (v.3)

This makes us also think of Ezekiel's awesome vision of God's glory!

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. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (Ezk.1:28)
As magnificent as this is, Ezekiel’s response is appropriate and understandable, rather like John's to the glorified Savior!
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I Am the First and the Last… (Rev.1:17)
In this same John’s response to seeing the glorified Lord Jesus, we understand it being much like Ezekiel’s or any who would encounter the awesome God! Yet notice the Lord’s gracious response to His servant! Fear not! Only the child of God in Christ receives this loving command due to His salvation in our life! The next verse in that text also sheds light on our understanding the Lord’s meaning in our text in Revelation 4!
I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I Am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Rev.1:18)
Isn’t it wonderful the beauty of our Savior, even in His awesome power and glory! There is no need to try and debate who the elders are, yet one thing is certain, as high-ranking as they seem to be, and as blessed as they are, they are most definitely subordinate to the One and Only God on the Throne of His universe! This represents and pictures a wondrous truth that is more and more dear to us the darker and more troubled our world becomes, as we remember this truth remains and will always be, God is on the Throne in His Heaven, ruling and loving His own! He knows what He is doing, He is always and only good and we can trust Him! He loves His own, and He has made it possible for any and everyone to be His own through simple faith in His Son’s shed blood for us! God couldn't complete His written Word to us without sending out one final invitation!
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev.22:17)
This text also, as we touched on earlier, reminds us of the overwhelming, awe-inspiring and breathtaking beauty of our God! David said it so well:
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple. (Ps.27:4)
No matter how ugly and twisted sin turns this world-system, yet God’s glorious beauty is untouched and unchangeable! Paul calls our God the incorruptible God! Though all else may be corrupted, not our holy, beautiful God! Praise the Lord!
In closing, we’re reminded of God’s matchless grace, in that though the thundering represented deserved judgment to come on those who rejected our Savior, yet the elders round His Throne remind us that they, as we, though once sinners and enemies, received His redemption and are His beloved sons and daughters, saved from the wrath to come! The psalmist put it beautifully:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Ps.91:1)
And it is all because of Jesus!