Symbols from John's Revelation of Jesus Christ

[Indentured Servant]

It seems there is a strong interest in prophetic imagery, so I thought it would be interesting to see how everyone understands the symbology used in the following verse:

"And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne." 

     -Revelation 4:3

 

1. What do you think the individual symbols mean?

2. What do the symbols convey in this vision?

Edited March 28 by Indentured Servant

[Marilyn C]

Hi IS,

Good topic.

To reveal Christ to us in Revelation, there are three hundred & thirty references to the figures, shadows, symbols, types, patterns, persons, & buildings of the Old Testament.

 This unveiling is the culmination of all the truths expressed from Genesis to Revelation, for all scripture is centered on one purpose and that is to reveal Christ to us in all His Glory.

 

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne." 

     -Revelation 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.

                                

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.

 

[Indentured Servant]

1 hour ago, Marilyn C said:

Hi IS,

Good topic.

To reveal Christ to us in Revelation, there are three hundred & thirty references to the figures, shadows, symbols, types, patterns, persons, & buildings of the Old Testament.

 This unveiling is the culmination of all the truths expressed from Genesis to Revelation, for all scripture is centered on one purpose and that is to reveal Christ to us in all His Glory.

 

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne." 

     -Revelation 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.

                                

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.

 

Wow! I've not known anyone who knew the gems symbolize the tribes of Israel.

I'd be interested in knowing the source list you referred to regarding the relationship between the gems and the tribes, as my sources have them assigned differently.

I have seen variations in these lists, but the ones I've used typically assign Ruby to Reuben and Jasper to Benjamin-  (the first and last tribes, respectively.)

I've seen emerald used consistently to refer to the tribe of Judah. 

With the assignment of gems that I've been using, this prophecy would seem to indicate that Jesus "color" symbolized all twelve tribes via the mention of the first and the last; and the emerald circle around the throne indicated He was from the tribe of Judah.

I'll recheck the charts I've been using, as I have seen variations.

Great answer. I thought this might be too much of a challenge, but you we're ready for it!

Thank you so much for your knowledgeable response. 

[Marilyn C]

6 hours ago, Indentured Servant said:

Wow! I've not known anyone who knew the gems symbolize the tribes of Israel.

I'd be interested in knowing the source list you referred to regarding the relationship between the gems and the tribes, as my sources have them assigned differently.

I have seen variations in these lists, but the ones I've used typically assign Ruby to Reuben and Jasper to Benjamin-  (the first and last tribes, respectively.)

I've seen emerald used consistently to refer to the tribe of Judah. 

With the assignment of gems that I've been using, this prophecy would seem to indicate that Jesus "color" symbolized all twelve tribes via the mention of the first and the last; and the emerald circle around the throne indicated He was from the tribe of Judah.

I'll recheck the charts I've been using, as I have seen variations.

Great answer. I thought this might be too much of a challenge, but you we're ready for it!

Thank you so much for your knowledgeable response. 

Hi IS,

Good to talk with you about our precious Lord. Now why the difference.

Well, it is because people may not have read Exodus 28 very carefully. You see the ephod had two stones and on them were gemstones according to the BIRTH names of the tribes of Israel. Then on the breastplate the gemstones were according to the TRIBES names. (Ex. 28: 10 & 21) 

Many people just read Ex. 39 and don`t realize that ch. 28 gives the detail of where the birth names are and where the tribe names are.

Hope that sorts out why the difference. 

[Indentured Servant]

9 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Hi IS,

Good to talk with you about our precious Lord. Now why the difference.

Well, it is because people may not have read Exodus 28 very carefully. You see the ephod had two stones and on them were gemstones according to the BIRTH names of the tribes of Israel. Then on the breastplate the gemstones were according to the TRIBES names. (Ex. 28: 10 & 21) 

Many people just read Ex. 39 and don`t realize that ch. 28 gives the detail of where the birth names are and where the tribe names are.

Hope that sorts out why the difference. 

Awesome! I'll reread the text... Ha, I did what I asked others not to do, and that's depend on a chart made by another.

It is fascinating the details and stories that simple symbols contain!

[Marilyn C]

8 hours ago, Indentured Servant said:

Awesome! I'll reread the text... Ha, I did what I asked others not to do, and that's depend on a chart made by another.

It is fascinating the details and stories that simple symbols contain!

Thought you might like this list.

The Precious Stones - Christ`s Rulership.  

 

The foundations of the walls are adorned with all kinds of precious stones. These were on the priest`s breastplate and represent Christ`s rulership. (Ex. 28: 15 – 21)

 

                       Judgment – Heb. `mishpat,` meaning judgment, divine law, rulership. 

 

       `And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones:

                   the 1^st  foundation was the jasper, the 2^nd  sapphire, the 3^rd  chalcedony,

    the 4^th  emerald, the 5^th  sardonyx, the 6^th  sardius, the 7^th  chrysolite, the 8^th  beryl,

                the 9^th  topaz, the 10^th  chrysoprase, the 11^th  jacinth, & the 12^th  amethyst.`

                                                                                                                        (Rev. 21: 19 & 20)

 

Christ the Conqueror.

 

1.   Jasper – Naphtali - `Conqueror.`                         

2.   Sapphire – Simeon – `voice of God.`                   

3.   Chalcedony – Zebulon - `dwelling.`                                                                           

 

Christ the conqueror, is the voice of God dwelling with His people.

 

Christ the KingPriest.

                                                                                      

4.   Emerald – Reuben -  `first born, Heir.`               

5.   Sardonyx – Asher - `blessing, Priest.`                

6.   Sardius – Judah - `King, ruler.`

 

Christ the first born and heir rules as KingPriest giving spiritual blessings. 

 

Christ the Judge.

                                                                                        

7.   Chrysolite – Gad - `administers judgments with justice.`          

8.   Beryl – Dan. - `Judge.`

9.   Topaz – Issachar - `wisdom.`

 

Christ the wise Judge who administers judgments with justice.

 

Christ at the Father`s Right Hand.

 

10. Chrysoprase – Manassah –`forgiveness`  

11. Jacinth – Ephraim  - `doubly fruitful.`

12. Amethyst – Benjamin - `At the right hand of the Father.`       

 

Christ at the Father`s right hand gives forgiveness & blessing.

 

                (The Stones – Ex: 28: 17 – 21,     The Tribes – Num. 10: 14 – 27, 

                             The Meanings – Gen. 29: 32, 30: 1 – 24,   35: 18)

[Indentured Servant]

58 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

Thought you might like this list.

You are awesome! 

(I kinda still like the 12 tribes and tribe of Judah links, but I will always prefer what is written over what is interpreted.)

Thank you!

[missmuffet]

Somewhere on this website I posted a very long list of all the meanings that are allegory in Revelation and what they mean.

[Charlie744]

On 3/28/2025 at 3:16 PM, Indentured Servant said:

It seems there is a strong interest in prophetic imagery, so I thought it would be interesting to see how everyone understands the symbology used in the following verse:

"And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne." 

     -Revelation 4:3

 

1. What do you think the individual symbols mean?

2. What do the symbols convey in this vision?

Jasper- Holiness, purity.

Ruby- Justice

[AdHoc]

On 3/30/2025 at 1:14 AM, Indentured Servant said:

You are awesome! 

(I kinda still like the 12 tribes and tribe of Judah links, but I will always prefer what is written over what is interpreted.)

Thank you!

Here is some more.

The High Priest of Israel typifies Christ OUR High Priest (Heb.3:1). On the day of Atonement the High Priest, after the appropriate sacrifices and washings, donned the Ephod and carried Israel, God's people on earth, into the Holy of Holies. God's people are carried by their High Priest 1. on the shoulders (onyx), and 2. on the Breast (12 precious stones).
1. The shoulder of a man is his strength for carrying. We are carried into God's presence in the strength of Christ
2. Precious stones are the materials used for building the Church, and ultimately New Jerusalem. Their meanings are laid forth above. But it is how they are made that is fascinating?

When a man is saved, rebirth only touches the human spirit (Jn.3:6). Later, the man will be resurrected, or changed (1st Cor.15:50-54) to rectify the problem of a fallen flesh. But what about his SOUL? How does God change a liar, cheat and murderer into the image of Christ (Rom.8:29). It is by TRANSFORMATION (2nd Cor.3:18). A precious stone starts off as wood (the picture of humanity). It is cut down and dies. It is slowly buried by the wind and rain or quickly by catastrophe. Unseen by the eye it is subject to having is old elements washed out and new elements washed in. Then slowly the pressure mounts. It might lie near some volcanic activity. Great heat and pressure bear down. Time passes. All this is hidden. And then, anon, when a great time has passed. The piece of dead wood is constricted, crushed and confined by circumstances, but the end is glorious - a diamond or similar, according to the elements that we re washed in.

So too the Christian. he withdraws from the world and its visibility. His fame is no longer seen. He/she is buried in baptism. Trouble comes their way. Heat and pressure mount as persecution sets in. But the saint keeps reading the Word and new divine elements are washed in. Tragedy strikes. Suffering abounds. But God is sovereign. He has promised in Romans 8:28 that for the TRANSFORMATION of the called ones, He can turn all events to their favor. And then, after a lifetime of eating God's word and suffering the trials of this life, the saint thinks and acts like Jesus. he is no longer wood, hay and stubble, but a precious stone for God's building (1st Peter 2:5).