Jasper and Carnelian
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Revelation 4:1-6, 8-11
1. After this I looked, and lo, in heaven an open door! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up hither, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2. At once I was in the Spirit, and lo, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne! 3. And he who sat there appeared like jasper and carnelian, and round the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald. 4. Round the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clad in white garments, with golden crowns upon their heads. 5. From the throne issue flashes of lightning, and voices and peals of thunder, and before the throne burn seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God; 6. and before the throne there is as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And round the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: . . . 8. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never cease to sing, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" 9. And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, 10. the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, 11. "Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created."
“Carnelian is a reddish variety of quartz, translucent to opaque and moderately hard The wearing of carnelian is recommended to those who have a weak voice or are timid in speech, for the warm-colored stone will give them the courage they lack, so that they will speak both boldly and well," reports G. E Kunz, well known gemologist and historian.”
“Napoleon I, while on a campaign in Egypt, picked up a fabulous octagonal carnelian, upon which was engraved: "The Slave Abraham Relying Upon The Merciful God.””
Jasper is a gem of various colors, one of the twelve inserted in the high priest's breast-plate (Ex. 28:20). It is named in the building of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:18, 19). It was "most precious," "clear as crystal" (21:11). It was emblematic of the glory of God (4:3).
There is way too much symbolism and too many references to talk about them all in one sitting! I have periodically researched the precious stones and metals mentioned in the bible and was not too surprised -- though delighted -- to find that the references here tie back to the Old Testament, and make references that the people of the time would understand as significant.
My bible notes suggest the voice referred to as inviting John in is that of Christ. When John indicates he was in the spirit, I imagine he was in some sort of altered state -- I would that to be fully conscious would have been too overwhelming for him. So much to see; so much beauty and to be in the presence of these amazing creatures and to see them, as one source suggests, “guarding the holiness of God.” How amazing! It certainly was just unspeakable! Unimaginable! The words, though beautiful and poetic could never capture the experience.
Perhaps you think these meanderings are distractions from the point of the text. Really though, what I discovered is that John references items and symbols and visions of great significance and power. The finest, most precious, most beautiful, and most worthy of admiration -- that’s what one would expect to be in heaven surrounding and dwelling with our Creator.
My prayer today is that you imagine perfection every time you call upon God. And that you call upon that image any time you need encouragement or courage.
Mary
