Christ on His Own Throne.

Let us now look closer at the One on this throne -the High Priest and King. The gem stones are given to reveal more understanding to us.

The Gem Stones.

         `And he who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius in appearance;...`

                                                                                                                 (Rev. 4: 3)

The Jasper gem stone was the last on the High Priest`s breastplate. It stood for the tribe of Naphtali whose name means to prevail, to conquer -  `I have prevailed.` (Gen. 30: 8)

               Prevail – to gain the victory, to conquer.  (The Concise English Dictionary)

Christ was the last Adam and He prevailed over the world, the flesh and the devil. He has secured the supreme victory over the greatest foe.    

The Sardius gem stone was the first on the High Priest`s breastplate. It stood for the tribe of Judah. The prophetic word reveals that he would be the ruler over the other tribes. (Gen. 49: 8 - 12) The Hebrew `yadah,` (Judah) means to use the hand, indicating power and dominion.                                   

The Emerald gem stone is also on the High Priest`s breastplate, and was for the tribe of Reuben. He was the first born of Jacob, and his heir. To the heir would be given three portions - the birthright, (double blessing), the priesthood and the kingdom.

                                `and there was a rainbow around the throne,

                                           in appearance like an emerald.`

                                                                                         (Rev. 4: 3)

The `One` on the throne then is the High Priest of Heaven, the Conqueror, the Sovereign Ruler and Heir of all the Father`s estates.

The Covenant.

                                `and there was a rainbow around the throne,...` (Rev. 4: 3)

The `rainbow` is God`s sign for His covenant with man.  A covenant is usually an agreement between parties which bind them to some specific course of action.

Why was there needed a `covenant?` Mankind had forfeited his right of dominion over the earth when he disobeyed God and let Satan rule. God however, planned before time began to send His Son to redeem man and bring about the restoration of all things.  This is the covenant God made with man.  

God knew that man could do nothing to bring this about, and thus the whole restoration will be by God. It is through Christ that God`s Covenant, God`s plan, is fulfilled because Christ Himself is the surety.

                        `God said,  `I will give .....You (Jesus) as a covenant to the people...` (Isa.49: 8)