​You Cannot Stare at the Sun​

Josh Taylor

Published on September 8, 2026

Revelation 4:3 (CSB)
“The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne.”

John never draws a face. He had the chance. He was standing in the throne room of God, and what he hands us is stone and color and light.

There is a reason for that. You cannot stare straight at the sun. What makes you think you could stare at God and then describe Him? So John does what you do with light too bright to face. He looks at what it does coming through the glass.

Jasper and carnelian are the last and first stones named on the high priest’s breastpiece (Exodus 28:17, 20). The high priest carried those colors over his heart, with the names of the tribes cut into them, and he bore the people into God’s presence that way. Now John looks up and sees the same colors on the throne itself. What Israel saw on a man’s chest was a reflection of the One he approached.

Early readers heard two things in those stones, green jasper for the life God gives and carnelian for how fearsome He is. Then notice what surrounds the whole scene. A rainbow, the covenant sign God set in the clouds after the flood (Genesis 9:13).

Hold both and refuse to drop either. God is fearsome in His holiness. His mercy still encircles His throne for His people.

That mercy is not sentiment, and it did not come cheap. God’s holiness did not step aside so that you could walk up. Christ satisfied divine justice and brought you near by His blood. The One who told John not to be afraid is the One who died and lives forever.

Reflect

You are not given a face. You are given holiness and mercy in the same vision, and you are asked to believe both at once. Ask yourself which half you have quietly set down. Pick it back up today and read Revelation 4:3 slowly enough to hold the two together.

Pray

The post You Cannot Stare at the Sun first appeared on Preach Well.

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