Rev 4:3 | TNotes | STEP | 4:3 Rather than painting a visual picture of God (Exod 20:4 ; Deut 4:15-19 ), John uses gemstones and the rainbow (Gen 9:8-17 ; Ezek 1:28 ) to suggest God’s qualities. The rainbow speaks of God’s grace as it recalls God’s covenant with Noah (Gen 9:13-17 ) that he would never again destroy the earth with water. In Revelation, however, we see the earth destroyed by fire (cp. Gen 19:24-29 ).

bExod 20:4►

cDeut 4:15-19►

dGen 9:8-17►

eEzek 1:28►

fGen 9:13-17►

gGen 19:24-29►

‏ Revelation of John 4:3

4:3 ^a Rather than painting a visual picture of God (Exod 20:4 ^b; Deut 4:15-19 ^c), John uses gemstones and the rainbow (Gen 9:8-17 ^d; Ezek 1:28 ^e) to suggest God’s qualities. The rainbow speaks of God’s grace as it recalls God’s covenant with Noah (Gen 9:13-17 ^f) that he would never again destroy the earth with water. In Revelation, however, we see the earth destroyed by fire (cp. Gen 19:24-29 ^g).