Emerald Around the Throne: God's Green Promise of Life

Okay, we're going to start this morning with a quiz. Who knows their Bible?

No one got to admit to it? Here we go.

What color, I told you earlier I'm preaching about a color, what color circles God's throne?

Have a guess. Gold, okay.

Purple, purple being a royal color. White, did you say? Light,

topaz, any others? Sapphire. Sapphire?

That's close. And there's a reason why that's close. But any other guesses we'll

get there? Crystal, is that a color?

And then I asked the question, what color encircles God's throne,

but what form does that color take?

That's the next part of the question. Does that help anyone at all?

Well, it is a rainbow. Yes, that is the form.

And it's not a trick question. You might say, well, if it's a rainbow,

all colors surround God's throne.

But there is one color that surrounds God's throne in the form of a rainbow.

You're all thinking, what would that color be? Who's got a favorite color?

What's your favorite color, Brad? Blue. Blue?

Purple? Blue? God's favorite color is blue as well. Is it? Did he tell you that?

That's why he's wearing a blue shirt.

Kelly? Green is your favorite color?

Red, blue, green, blue.

Has anyone got any more guesses about this color that surrounds God's throne? Blue, you're thinking?

Let's read it. Let's find out. Let's trip over that speaker there. Revelation 4 verse 3.

Revelation 4:3

It was part of John's vision.

And it says this, and the one who sat there looked like jasper and ruby. So that's God.

He looked like jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald.

Green, green, green is the color that surrounds God's throne.

Shone like an emerald, circled the throne, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

So it says a rainbow, a rainbow that shone like an emerald, circled the throne,

and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. Picture a rainbow with me.

Who's seen some pretty impressive rainbows?

Who's seen double rainbows?

They are so good, aren't they? I remember driving into Renwick one day and it

looked like the rainbow was going right down on our house.

And I'll receive that, Lord. I'll receive that.

But picture a rainbow, brilliant, radiant, full of life. It stretches across

the heavens as a sign of hope after a storm. Yeah.

But John's heavenly vision of heaven, heavenly vision of heaven,

that rainbow was like no other.

It shined, it shines like emerald encircling the very throne of God.

So it's a rainbow that shined like emerald and who knows that emerald is green.

Okay. Okay, we're here to talk about emerald, the color emerald,

the color green this morning. Emeralds speak of life.

They speak of renewal and the enduring glory of God.

Now we all know, or if you don't know, or you're about to know,

the color green is associated with growth.

With vitality and the freshness of new beginnings. That's green.

And around the throne of God, it becomes a symbol of his everlasting life and never failing mercy.

Green. I think I've got a new favorite color. Green. I'm with Wendy. I'm with you guys.

So let's talk about this color green. And in this message, I want to explore

what this green imagery teaches us.

You know, things like how the presence of God brings life and fruitfulness to our souls.

How he takes what is broken and breathes new life into it.

How he's the one who makes all things new.

And to shine, and we're going to talk about how it shines with his light in

a weary and waiting world, the color green that surrounds the throne of God.

The emerald rainbow that surrounds God's throne shows us it's not just a place

of power. We know that God's throne is definitely a place of power, but it's a place of life.

It's a place of beauty and grace that renews everything that it touches.

Angela and I and Josh spent the whole day in our garden yesterday.

First of all, we pulled out a whole heap of hedges.

And second of all, we planted a new whole heap.

They were green. And the whole time, I do have a photo on my phone.

I can't show you, but imagine the color green, just

been bathed in green you know

the poor trees or the poor hedges that we've been trying to

to get to grow for the last 10 years had to come out because we were just failing

well for some reason they just weren't growing so we put in these new ones another

green color life vibrancy so we spent the day yesterday in the garden and i'm exhausted and.

As I know Josh is and Angela, but that's all right, because green is vitality.

Green is, you know, God's light brings life to the weary.

So, emeralds symbolize life and renewal.

Now, let's read this amplified version of Revelation 4 verse 3 again.

Revelation 4:3

If you can put that up for me, Josh, because I don't have that here with me now.

But it says, and he who sat there appeared like the crystalline sparks of a

jasper stone and the fiery redness of a sardius stone.

And encircling the throne, there was a rainbow that looked like the color of an emerald.

That's God. That is our God. That's what surrounds his throne.

So as I said earlier, a green in scripture, green or emeralds,

points to life, vitality, and hope.

The psalmist writes in Psalm 52 and verse 8, that I am like an olive tree.

We are like olive trees. And if we're like olive trees, we're thriving in the house of God.

And again, in Psalm 1 verse 3, it says they are like trees planted along the

Psalms 1:3

river bank, bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never, never wither, never wither, and they prosper in all that they do.

Green speaks of spiritual flourishing.

Who needs some spiritual flourishing? Well, hang on, we're going to get there.

Of roots deep in God's presence and leaves that never fade.

That's God's special spiritual flourishing.

So when John describes a rainbow shining like an emerald around God's throne,

he's showing us that the atmosphere of heaven is alive. is alive.

Everything near his presence thrives.

Everything near God's presence thrives. Get close to God and you will thrive. Get close to God.

Nothing withers in the presence of God unless he commands it.

Nothing fades because the life of God, it sustains everything. It sustains all things.

That emerald color, it's rich, it's green, it's radiant. It speaks of the restorative

life that flows from God himself.

That's the life. It's eternal. It's unending and ever fresh.

Where God reigns, life abounds.

Life abounds. where his presence dwells, hope is restored.

Oh, come on. This vision calls us to see not only the majesty of the throne,

but also the living nature of his glory.

A glory that gives life, restores what was broken, and renews what has grown weary.

Okay, time for a little bit of reflection now. Okay, close your eyes if you feel comfortable.

Let's pause for a little moment, and if you're comfortable, close your eyes.

In your own life this morning, where do you sense the need for growth?

Where do you sense the need for growth? Maybe it's spiritual.

Maybe there's a hunger for deeper intimacy with God in your life.

Maybe it's emotional. There's a place in your heart that's become dry or weary.

Maybe it's relational, a connection that needs healing or grace.

Wherever that place is Just picture in your mind right now Picture in your mind

The river of God's presence flowing towards it Flowing towards it Let his spirit

water your soul this morning.

Refresh your heart and breathe life into every barren place.

Because again, as the psalmist said, they are like trees planted by rivers of

water, bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all that they do.

So this morning, I pray over each and every one of you. I pray over you and

say, may your roots grow deep into his presence today.

May you flourish again under the light of his glory.

Rivers of living water, as Brad spoke about, rivers of living water flowing

into your life where it needs to be watered, where it needs to be increased and sustained.

Rivers of living water flowing straight from that throne of God into your life restoring reviving.

Making new all those areas of your life, those spiritual areas,

those emotional areas, and those relational areas. Let God wash them.

Let them thrive by the presence of God himself in your life.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Wherever that place is, picture the river of God flowing into that place.

So emeralds also represent God's

covenant faithfulness Green and rainbows

Remember that Emeralds represent God's

covenant faithfulness In Genesis 9 and verse 13 it says I have placed my rainbow

in the clouds It is a sign of my covenant with you and all the earth Rainbows

The rainbow is God's promise to us,

It's his promise that around, and it's a promise, and around his throne,

that rainbow shines like an emerald.

The green of life and restoration, just as God promised never to destroy the

earth by flood again, but he promises to sustain, to restore,

and to bless his people through Christ. I hope you're receiving this this morning.

I hope you're receiving what God wants for each and every one of us.

2 corinthians 2 corinthians 1 and verse 20 i know it's one of angela's favorite

verses for no matter how many promises god has made they are yes in christ or they are yes and amen,

there is promises for each and every one of us picture that green with me right

look at that look i just look up there and it's green.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your grace.

Emeralds remind us as well that God doesn't change his mind.

Okay? Every promise he has made finds its yes and its amen in Christ Jesus. Every promise.

Not just some. Every promise finds its yes and amen in Christ Jesus.

Think of a tree. Think with me of a tree. We're thinking green again.

What do they call a tree that doesn't lose its leaves in autumn?

Evergreen. No, deciduous. Oh yeah, deciduous as well, isn't it?

No, it was deciduous, the one that loses its leaves. Yeah, yeah.

We should go straight to the gardener here, shouldn't we?

So yeah, a tree that doesn't lose its leaves in autumn, we call that tree an

evergreen tree. Green. Green.

Evergreen means that it remains vibrant through every season. Every season.

Summer heat, winter chill, storm, drought, it stays green every season.

Australian trees. Yeah, exactly. We call them Australian trees then.

No matter what the season. In the same way, emeralds, like evergreens,

stay vibrant all year round. Okay?

They don't fade. They reflect the enduring faithfulness of God's covenant with

us. I love the color green there.

I love that color green. No matter the season, in times of abundance or times

of trial, God's promises remain the same.

His mercy does not wither ever.

His faithfulness does not fade. No wonder he's thrown surrounded by grain. No wonder.

So do not despair in difficult seasons. When everything around you looks barren

or cold, remember the evergreen tree, okay?

Remember the emerald around his throne.

It'll sustain you too.

God's covenant stands firm. Trust him to bring life into your world.

Trust him to bring renewal and hope into every circumstance that you face.

Emeralds reflect spiritual growth as well and faithfulness.

Galatians 5, 22 and 23, the

fruits of the spirit but the holy spirit produces this

kind of fruit in our lives love joy

peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control emeralds

emeralds that color green symbolize growth and fruitfulness the fruits of the

spirit fruitfulness like a green One gemstone formed under pressure,

we can grow spiritually through discipline, obedience and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Think of a gardener. Think of Angela and I yesterday. Think of Richard every day of the week.

Josh yesterday with us as well. Think of a gardener looking after his garden.

Okay, think of that with me.

Think of a gardener tending a vibrant green plant, nurturing it daily, watering it.

Watering it, nurturing it, feeding it, whatever it takes, pruning it when it

needs it. Think of that gardener.

What happens if he doesn't care for it? It withers and dies.

Yeah, yeah. With care, though, it thrives.

God does the same thing with his children, cultivating growth through his word,

through power and prayer and spirit-led obedience.

God is our gardener, tending to us. We've just got to let him.

We've just got to let him.

The Emerald reminds us that growth is life and life is precious.

We are called to bear fruit that glorifies God.

Examine your spiritual life with me. Are you growing? Are you growing?

Are you bearing fruit in your life?

Ask the Holy Spirit to water your soul this morning.

Refine your character and make you fruitful in service and love.

Another thing that emerald, the color green does, is it points to Christ.

It points to our source of life. John 10.10 says this, The thief's purpose is

to steal and kill and destroy.

My purpose, says Jesus, is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Emeralds reflect life.

Vibrant, enduring, and pure. In the same way, Christ is the source of all life.

He is the living water. He's the eternal life. He's the abundant life. That's Jesus.

Wherever Jesus flows, dead things come alive again.

Hearts are renewed and hopes are restored. There's been some hope restored this morning in this place.

Revelation 22 and verse 1 talks of crystals.

It says then the angel showed me a river with the water of life clear as crystal

flowing through from the throne of god and of the lamb.

The river of life flows from that emerald circle surrounding the throne.

A vivid picture of Christ himself, I'm here to tell you, the one through whom all life proceeds.

The same life that fills heaven is the life he offers to us here and now.

Here and now. So if you're weary this morning, go to him.

Go to the provider. If you're dry, draw near to his throne this morning.

If you feel lifeless, remember this.

From that emerald light flows the river that makes all things new. All things new.

Think of an oasis in the desert or a spring or a desert spring gushing in the

desert. What does that do?

It brings life where all else is dry.

Christ does the same thing spiritually for us. In a world parched by sin,

he offers refreshment, renewal, and restoration.

As emeralds shine with vitality, you and I are called to reflect Christ most

when our life is rooted in him. Rooted in him.

Run to him. Go to him. He's waiting for you. He's running to you.

He wants to grab us. He wants to draw us in here. Josh, come on up for me.

So the beauty of emeralds, the beauty of emeralds, their green and enduring

brilliance reminds us of the life that Christ offers us, offers each and every one of us.

Jesus, the eternal son, bore the pressure of sin upon himself, as Peter spoke about.

He was crucified and buried.

And on the third day, he rose again, conquering death so that you and I could live.

Revelation, sorry, Romans 6 and 20, verse 23 says this, for the wages of sin

is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

That's the promise, eternal life through Christ.

And you know what? There's good news. Today you can receive that.

Today you can receive him.

You can be born again. You can be made new by his spirit and begin to experience

a life that grows and thrives and bears eternal fruit.

A life like the emerald around God's throne, like the green around God's throne,

shining with unending light.

It's permanent light, unending, reflecting the glory of the one who reigns forever.

As we come to this moment, I want to speak to your hearts. Open your hearts

to me right now. Let me speak to your hearts.

Maybe you've been distant from God.

Maybe life has felt dry or weary or empty.

But today, I'm here to tell you that the same life that flows from God's throne

is reaching out to you this morning to restore, to revive.

Jesus Christ came so that you might have life and life abundantly.

The emerald light around God's throne is a picture of that life,

eternal, unending, radiant, and today it can be yours.

If you're ready to receive that life, to be forgiven, to be made new,

I invite you to pray with me this morning.

I invite you to pray with me this morning. So I want everyone,

please everyone repeat these words after me.

Heavenly Father, I come to you today just as I am.

I know that I've sinned and fallen short of your glory.

But I believe that Jesus Christ is your son.

That he died for my sins, was buried and rose again.

Lord Jesus, forgive me.

Wash me clean. Come into my heart Make me new Fill me with your Holy Spirit,

And with life From this day forward I choose to follow you You are my Saviour,

You are my Lord And you are my life Thank you for saving me Thank you for eternal life,

Help me to live for you all my days.

Shining with your glory, just like an emerald around your throne.

Just like an emerald around your throne. In Jesus' name.

Jesus' name. Amen. Amen.

So where to from here? Where to from here?

We need to commit to spiritual growth this morning.

We need to let the Spirit cultivate the fruit of righteousness in our lives.

We need to trust God's covenant faithfulness, even under pressure or through

trials. We need to trust.

We need to reflect the life and the vitality of Christ to a world that is weary,

broken, and thirsty. Did you hear that? We need to reflect God's life.

We need to reflect God's life.

So go now. Go now. I bless you all this morning.

I bless you this morning that the Lord,

the source of life and renewal would water your soul, would refine your soul,

refine your heart and cause your life to shine like an emerald green glory,

like the emerald green glory around his throat.

Go now and grow in his glory.

And as you do, think of emeralds and rainbows.

Go this week and think of emeralds. When you're in the garden this week,

Richard, I'm sure it's all green.

Think of God. Think of God. Same with all of us. Think of God's glory when you see that colour.

Think of God's glory when you see those rainbows. Maybe we'll get a little bit

of rain this week. Don't know.

So bless you all. bless you as we go this morning in Jesus' name green,

green emeralds hallelujah.