Lord willing, this blogger will move through the book of Revelation in daily study until done. One more point of interest; when ended it will be at least a third time this blogger has read through the scriptures. Also, at the end of the year should complete a fourth reading in this lifetime of such a task. It's difficult to move swiftly through scripture because of the depth of wisdom, encouragement and understanding one finds. I would challenge each reader of this blog to attempt the same. There will NEVER be regret in studying God's Word.
To gain a bit of perspective, let's set the scene for the senses. We will examine what he heard first. Revelation 4.1 says, "...I looked, and, behold, a door opened in heaven: and the first voice...as it were of a trumpet TALKING with me;"
The study of the word trumpet reveals, (H7782) horn, ram's horn, clear and sharp sound. Root word (H8231) means goodly, pleasing, beautiful, fair, comely, bright, glisten. The Greeks translated the word this way (G4536); the idea of quavering or reverberation. Webster's says that means "shaking the voice or the act of repelling sound, reflecting light and heat, or 'echoes.' Trumpets are know for being the center of many important fanfares and pieces. This instrument is not for the timid. Trumpets, historically, have been used as signaling devices in battle or hunting dating back to 1500 BC.
Quite simply, it is a commanding sound. So it is with all scripture. None of the Holy Writ is a suggestion but "commands," to be obediently received and obeyed.
THEN, John saw one on the throne that looked "like a jasper and a sardine stone..." (4.3)
The study of "jasper" reveals it is a stone so dense it cannot be seen with a microscope. It has many colors but is commonly red. The sardine stone is flesh or sand colored. No other defining information was found for this stone.
Let's apply, spiritually, as much as possible, what John saw.
- The voice heard was so commanding he had to stop all else and pay attention. That voice was clear, sharp but pleasant to listen to. So we should heed the Word. Stop all else and focus on the words and then the Holy Spirit will burn into the believers heart was is necessary for the moment, time or particular circumstance.
- The vision had color and clarity. It also illustrates that the Lord was very God (red color denoting a consuming fire, (Heb 12.29) and very man as noted by the Sand or flesh color (Jn 1.14).
