01 - The Rainbow Around the Throne
The Rainbow Around the Throne!
"And there was a rainbow encircling the throne!"Revelation 4:3 No portion of the Bible is so fruitful in heavenly emblems as the book of Revelation. They cluster and sparkle upon every page. They adorn every vision, and glisten from every truth which is recorded by the beloved disciple. As though conscious that the inspired volume is about to close, they crowd around the setting sun to receive its last beauteous rays, and throw their splendors over the whole heavens. The isle of Patmos, where this panorama of gorgeous images passed before the mind of John, presented a striking contrast to the scenes of which it was the theater. It was a lonely, barren spot in the Aegean Sea, so desolate that criminals were sent to it as a punishment. Domitian, the tyrant, banished the Apostle John there, thinking that the wildness and hardships of the place would induce him to renounce his religion. But his faith and devotion, instead of becoming weaker, kindled into a glow that pervaded his whole being. He felt that blessings now offered are of a spiritual nature.
Instead of manna to support the body, we have precious truths to nourish and invigorate the soul.
Instead of waters flowing from a rock, we may drink of "the pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."
Instead of following a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, a divine, resplendent Being appears before us, saying, "I am the light of the world."
Instead of a mountain that might be touched — a mountain enveloped in clouds and darkness, shaken by peals of thunder, and rendered terrible by flashes of lightning — we "are come unto Mount Zion," whose mild beauties attract every beholder, and around whose summit play the soft beams from the Sun of righteousness.
Instead of a material city, we have pointed out to us, in the far distance, "the heavenly Jerusalem," with its sweet gardens, celestial palaces and thrones — "a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
Instead of being confined to the society of imperfect men, we are admitted to companionship with angels — to "the general assembly and church of the first born."
Indeed, all that the Christian can desire in this life, or hope for in the next, is pledged under this new and better covenant. No language can describe, no imagination can portray, the rich blessings which it secures to the believer. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love him."
How appropriate, then, that the throne of the Eternal should be arched over with the rainbow of promise, that the Christian should have before him this perpetual token, that a covenant-keeping God holds the reins of universal dominion! How full of comfort to the saint, that the eye of faith may rest upon that rainbow! No sun is there, to dazzle the vision; no storm-cloud, with its rolling thunder and lightning flashes, overhangs the throne, to terrify those who approach it; but a rainbow, with its beautiful tints and soft rays, attracts them, inspiring in their hearts, confidence and hope. The weary Christian pilgrim may look upon it, and from the throne he hears the words, "Fear not, for I am with you! Be not dismayed, for I am your God!" Penitent prodigals, weary with toil, having found the ways of transgressors hard, may turn towards it an anxious eye, and they hear the imitation, "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." The dying Christian, as earthly scenes are fading from the view, may behold it, and exclaim, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." This rainbow, however, does not stand alone, as a proof of the divine faithfulness. Our pathway through life is scattered with evidences of a Heavenly Father’s care. His bounteous supply of our needs; his regard for life — in providing food; for the intellect — in furnishing knowledge; for the taste — in decorating so beautifully this globe, that is floating us through the heavens; his providential care — in guarding us from injury, in keeping the delicate and complicated workmanship of the human system in tune so long. All these are proofs that our future interests will be protected.
We reason justly, from this life to another; from what we see around us, and experience here — to what we may expect in a higher and nobler state of being. This present world is our school, to which we are sent to learn lessons of God’s truthfulness and love. We are here taught to have faith in our great Benefactor, and to trust him for the blessings of another life, because he has done so much for us in this. The rainbow around the throne is also a token that the storms of human life shall before long pass away.
After a severe tempest, during which the raging elements have threatened to destroy every object within their reach, and the heavy crashes of thunder have appalled the stoutest heart — we have experienced the relief afforded by the subsiding of the storm, and seeing painted on the retiring clouds the rainbow of promise. As we looked abroad, instead of witnessing the marks of ruin, nature has appeared clothed in its loveliest hues, as though to mock the fury of the tempest. From the descending torrents, it has gathered refreshment and vigor, and even the lightning has done it a service, by purifying the atmosphere.
Thus the devout Christian sees in the rainbow around the throne the pledge that the trials and afflictions of life shall soon end, and perfect serenity be his portion. He reads inscribed upon it, in golden letters, the words, "There remains a rest for the people of God!" But the hour for this perfect rest has not yet come. The benefits of trials must first be gathered into the soul. The heart must be disciplined; faith must be cultivated; the power of the soul’s endurance must be tested. It is not the design of God that the Christian "should be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease."
He must "strive to enter in at the strait gate." He must "run with patience the race set before him." He must "fight the good fight of faith." All the scriptural expressions upon this point imply the necessity of earnest effort. The battle must be fought, before the triumph is celebrated. A great work must be accomplished in self-discipline — in the development and growth of holy principles — before we are prepared for the rewards of Heaven. In all the temptations and afflictions of life, the design of the Creator is discernible — and he has arched his throne with a beautiful rainbow, to assure his people that he will give peace to the troubled soul. And this rainbow is over the heavenly throne to indicate that it is only when the Christian is near this throne, that he can enjoy perfect serenity. He must, as it were, enter into God, dwell amid his holy attributes, experience the fullness of his love — if he would enjoy that peace "that passes all understanding." That far-distant height, storms never reach. Clouds that cast shadows upon the earth, float beneath it. The passions and strifes of wicked men do not ascend to it.
There is infinite wisdom displayed in thus making the throne the seat of perfect peace; for, had we satisfying enjoyment here, we would become too much attached to the world. As it now is, we are reluctant to leave it. Amid all our trials and disappointments, its charms continue to fascinate us. Its cares absorb the attention. We seek its riches, covet its applause, and depend upon its pleasures.
Though we term human life a valley of tears, we are often reluctant to exchange it for Mount Zion — for the city of the living God. Though friends here are sometimes false, many receive with alarm the summons to mingle with an innumerable company of angels, and the general assembly and church of the first born. Though in this world the Christian has tribulation, he trembles at the thought of entering into the presence of God, where the Psalmist assures us "there is fullness of joy!"
It is therefore a wise provision that so many attractions cluster around the heavenly throne. It is a great kindness in the Supreme Father to draw away his children from the vanities of time, and fasten their attention upon the joys and splendors of immortality! The rainbow encircling the heavenly throne indicates, also, that there is ample power to confer and perpetuate this happiness. A throne is the emblem of strength and authority. Hence, it is not simply a Father, who promises to the Christian, peace — it is a Sovereign — one "who does according to his will, in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth." The resources of God’s boundless empire, are to be employed in executing his purposes of love. The vast revenues that flow into his treasury, are to be used in enriching and blessing his redeemed people. Those glorious, divine attributes, that built the universe, and peopled the millions of worlds that float in space, are to be exercised in promoting the happiness of the redeemed. With what inexpressible joy will the redeemed saint approach the throne, and view his rich and everlasting inheritance! With what rapture will he gaze upon the splendid manifestations which the Deity will make of himself, in his celestial kingdom!
"It is," says one, "a glorious thing, even, when the golden beams of day flood the canopy of Heaven, and forest, mountain and river, are beautiful with light — glorious, indeed, when the whole creation wakes up at the summons of the morning, as though the trumpet had sounded, and the vast grave of night were giving back the cities and solitudes that had gone down into its recesses. But in place of a firmament lighted up with a material body, we shall have the infinite vault converted into one brilliant manifestation of Deity — the splendid coruscations of righteousness, truth and love, weaving themselves together to form the arch; and the Deity glowing through immeasurable space, and pouring his own luster upon every object, and thus making the universe a reflection of his own glory." The rainbow around the throne is significant in another aspect. As the rainbow upon the cloud is formed by the union of the sunlight and the shower, so this may be said to be formed, by the union of mercy and justice. As an arch reaching to Heaven, it sustains the divine government; and its extremes, descending and resting upon the earth, show that divine mercy extends to man. Were only the justice of the Deity revealed — we would continually hear the thunders of the law, and tremble before the terrors of its dreadful penalty. Were God only merciful, there would be no efficiency in his government, and no stability in his throne. But it is the mingling of the two that inspires us with confidence in the divine character, and secures to the obedient subject the rich rewards of his kingdom.
Mercy invites us to enter Heaven; justice protects us in our rights and privileges, after we have entered. Mercy opens the gates of the heavenly city; justice stands at the entrance, and demands holiness of character, in all those who would see God. Were justice destroyed, and the divine mercy of such a nature as to admit the whole race to Heaven, irrespective of qualifications or character, there could be no order or happiness in God’s moral kingdom. The happiness of a rational being is not produced by the locality that he occupies. It flows from the inward sentiments, from the conduct, and character. It may be enjoyed in a higher degree in a prison than in a palace — on a solitary, barren island, than amid the luxuries and splendors of the most brilliant earthly court. Heaven might, indeed, be thrown open, unconditionally, to all mankind, without requiring of any repentance, faith, or love to God; but such a measure would not secure their salvation. The only salvation worthy of the name, is that which saves man from sin — from that which is the cause of his misery. He is the victim of a moral disease, and must apply for a remedy to the great Physician. His soul, originally designed as the temple of the living God, is shattered . . .
its columns are broken,
its walls have crumbled,
its altar is overthrown,
its worship is suspended.
It must therefore be rebuilt, and become a fit receptacle for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The voice of penitential prayer must be heard within its walls. To the altar must be brought the sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart.
No, the Bible does not teach us that justice is annihilated because the scepter of mercy is extended. The Deity has not laid aside his sovereignty by becoming a Redeemer. The laws proclaimed on Mount Sinai are not annulled, by the love displayed on Calvary. Notwithstanding the ample provisions of the scheme of redemption, man is distinctly taught that he has duties to perform, as well as hopes to entertain. The proclamation made to all men is, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" — with fear, lest you fail of the great salvation; with trembling, lest you are startled, at last, by the utterance, "Depart from Me, for I never knew you!" In the eloquent language of another, we would say to all, "Strive — for the grasp of the destroyer is upon you, and if you are not wrenched away, it will palsy you and crush you. Strive — for the foe is on the right hand, on the left hand, before you, behind you, and you must be trampled under foot if you struggle not and strike not as those who feel themselves bound in a death-grapple. Strive — there is a crown to be won. The mines of the earth have not furnished its metal, and the depths of the sea hide nothing — so radiant as the jewels with which salvation is wreathed. Strive, then, in the strength of your risen Lord, and not in your own. You know not how soon that Lord may come. While the sun walks his usual path on the firmament, and the grass is springing in our fields, and merchants are crowding the exchange, and the avaricious counting gold, ’the sign of the Son of Man’ shall be seen in the heavens, and the august throne of fire and of cloud, be set for judgment."
God grant that we may stand before that throne with the consciousness of sins pardoned — that we may look upon the rainbow around it as one of promise to us, and that under its beauteous light we may be guided to mansions in the skies!
How delightful to the Christian to think of the departed saints as having already passed under that rainbow, and received the welcome and blessing of a covenant-keeping God! Especially in the silence of night, when the stillness of the hour incites to meditation, do we love to think of our friends as having entered the bright mansions above. The stars seem to tell us of their homes and their happiness.