“He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald” (Rev. 4:3).
That One sits upon the throne in the rainbow. He is the faithful judge remembering His covenant of mercy. It is like an “emerald” (green), for it is ever fresh before Him. The bow in the cloud tells us that God has smelled a sweet savor (Gen. 8:18-21). Abel’s sacrifice is personal acceptance, while Noah’s is blessing for creation—the double aspect and bearing of the sacrifice of Christ.
W. Potter