HOW blessed to look away from and above all the confusing scenes of earth and see, with the eye of faith, the throne set in heaven. There upon that seat of imperial authority is One like a jasper and a sardine (sardius) stone. In the breastplate of the high-priest in Israel the jasper stone bore the name Reuben, which means, “Behold a Son!” and the sardius was engraved with the name Benjamin— “Son of the Right Hand.” It is easy to see who is meant then in this wonderful passage. He who is the Eternal Son, the Man Christ Jesus now seated on the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens, comes thus before us, and knowing Him we are assured that all is well, for to Him all power has been committed. Happy the privilege of those who like the four and twenty presbyters, the heads of the priestly company, gather round the throne to worship and extol the One who is Creator of all things, and who has claimed us for His own in infinite grace. It is as our hearts are occupied with Him that we become like Him even as we walk down here on earth.
“Jesus, who on His glorious throne
Rules heaven, and earth, and sea,
Is pleased to claim me for His own,
And give Himself to me.
His person fixes all my love,
His blood removes my fear;
And while He pleads for me above,
His arm preserves me here.”
—Anon.