4:3Revelation 4:3

The throne set in heaven holds the divine Ruler, encircled by a rainbow like an emerald arching over Him and over the mercy seat.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5+4
That bow is the token of the everlasting covenant, sure as the throne itself, pledging mercy and life through Christ to every repentant believing soul.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5+4
Its mingling of sunlight and shower shows mercy and justice joined together, so salvation is full and complete, the law unchangeable yet pardon open to the obedient.STOM 35.2+3
Christ as Advocate and Intercessor points to that encircling bow as evidence of compassion, pleading for sinners and covering confessed sin so wrath does not fall on those who take refuge in Him.PP 107.1+4
Therefore the bow-crowned throne is within reach of every soul, giving assurance that prayer is heard, God will never forsake His people in their struggle with evil, and strength and protection endure as long as the throne endures.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5+4

The vision opens after a door is opened in heaven and a voice summons to behold what shall take place hereafter, revealing a throne set in heaven with One seated upon it.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5 Ministering angels surround Him, waiting and eager to carry out His will.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5 In that same opening the glories of heaven are unveiled, the throne of God is seen, and anthems of joy resound through the heavenly courts.Ms 99, 1902, par. 78–79 Above, worshipers are gathered around the throne in light and glory, and believers on earth draw near to that company when they assemble as active workers for prayer and praise, while absence breaks that nearness and leaves only a feeble reflection of that light.19MR 254.4–255.1 The throne thus seen is overshadowed by the rainbow of promise as the token of the everlasting covenant, in which mercy and truth are knit together and call forth praise.Ms 27, 1891, par. 27

The throne scene belongs to a symbolic revelation that unfolds the experience of God's people and foretells the history of the church to the close of time.AA 582.3 It reveals God's plan for future ages and awakens longing to stand with the redeemed in God's presence.Ms 99, 1902, par. 78–79 It was given about half a century after Jesus ascended to present His church before God and to prepare mansions for the faithful, when in love for His people He came to His aged servant to make future things known.Ms 99, 1902, par. 78–79

The rainbow is like an emerald encircling the throne and arching over the head of Christ, the same brightness seen as the likeness of the glory of Jehovah.PP 107.1 That bow of promise is written over the throne of God and stands directly over the mercy seat above the ark of His testament where His commandments rest in the heavenly sanctuary, as His pledge to be with His commandment-keeping people so they shall not perish but have everlasting life.Ms 11, 1893, par. 14–15 The ruling principles of that throne are justice and mercy, and it is the throne of grace and seat of mercy where divine enlightenment and answers to prayer are given.Ms 16, 1890, par. 82–84+1 It is the center of attraction because the One who sits upon it permits all who come to call Him Father, with the encircling rainbow as the everlasting promise that all who approach will find pardon and have the treasures of grace laid open to them.ST Aug 13, 1902

The rainbow round about the throne is the bow of promise, the token of the covenant with Noah and of the everlasting covenant.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5+4 It is the emblem of a covenant-keeping God who keeps His promises.STB 118.5+1 Through that covenant grace is imparted to every soul who sincerely desires it, since no one can sanctify, purify, or bless himself, and righteousness comes not by dead works but through the merits of the grace of Christ given through the covenant.Ms 40a, 1890, par. 45

The covenant thus sealed is as sure as the throne itself.Ms 16, 1890, par. 82–84+1 It rests on the compact entered into by the Father and the Son to save the world through Christ giving Himself, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.Ms 16, 1890, par. 82–84+1 No human or angelic power could make such a covenant, and its sureness leaves no reason for unbelief and distrust.1MR 109.5

The bow is a pledge of mercy to every repentant, believing soul and an everlasting testimony that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5 To the sinful but repentant soul it assures life through a ransom, as the token of the covenant of peace.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5+1 Arched over the throne, it shows God bearing rule and holding the reins of guidance over every home, every church, every school, every printing office, and every sanitarium, which every Christian worker should keep ever before him.STB 118.5+1

Beyond the black clouds now rolling upon the world there is light in the bow encircling the throne.Ms 120, 1898, par. 9–10 Faith must soar above ignorance, superstition, darkness, and strong, masterful unbelief to see that bow.Ms 120, 1898, par. 9–10 Those who see it are to reflect its light with pen and voice in praise to God before the world.Ms 120, 1898, par. 9–10

The rainbow round about the throne means mercy and justice joined together, as sunlight and shower join to form the bow in the cloud.STOM 35.2+4 Justice alone is not to be maintained, for it would eclipse the glory of the rainbow of promise and leave men seeing only the penalty of the law, while were there no justice and no penalty there would be no stability to the government of God.STOM 35.2+4 It is the mingling of judgment and mercy that makes salvation full and complete.STOM 35.2+4 The gospel is thus a perfect and complete system, revealing the immutability of the law of God and inspiring the heart with hope and with love for God.STA 44.1+1 To the sinful but repentant soul the bow is assurance of life through a ransom.ED 115.1–3

Mercy invites and opens the way for entrance through the gates into the city of God.STOM 35.2+3 Justice stands at the entrance and demands holiness and purity in all who would see God, so if defective in character none can pass the gates that mercy has opened to the obedient.STA 44.1+1 Justice accords to every obedient soul full privileges as a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King.STA 44.1+1

Were justice extinct and divine mercy to open the gates to the whole race irrespective of character, there would be a worse condition of disaffection and rebellion in heaven than before Satan was expelled.STA 44.1+1 The peace, happiness, and harmony of heaven would be broken up.STA 44.1+1 The change from earth to heaven will not change character.STOM 35.2+2 The happiness of the redeemed in heaven results from character formed in this life after the image of Christ, for saints in heaven will first have been saints on earth.STOM 35.2+2

The rainbow around the throne presents Christ's righteousness, showing that in Him mercy and truth meet and righteousness and peace come together.STOM 35.1+1 He is the glory of the law, for He magnifies it and makes it honorable.STOM 35.1+1 When the law is presented, attention should be directed to Christ and His righteousness.STOM 35.1+1 Viewing the world's Redeemer together with the law of Jehovah leads to the exclamation, Thy gentleness hath made me great.Lt 1f, 1890, par. 29+1 Looking to the throne with penitence, praise, and thanksgiving brings Christian character, abiding in Christ, and peace beyond understanding.STOM 35.1+1

In God's government justice and grace stand side by side, so no one may transgress His commandments and still expect favor.Ms 16, 1890, par. 82–84 Man cannot sanctify, purify, or bless himself; God alone is helper.Ms 40a, 1890, par. 45 Righteousness comes not by dead works but through the merits of the grace of Christ given through the covenant.Ms 40a, 1890, par. 45

When human wickedness provokes wrath and invites divine judgments, Christ as humanity's intercessor points to the bow in the clouds and to the rainbow around the throne and above His own head as evidence of mercy and compassion toward erring people.PP 107.1+2 The rainbow encircling the throne and arching over Christ shows the same brightness as the likeness of the glory of Jehovah, a sign of mercy encompassing the earth.PP 107.1+2 God's glory and mercy rest upon Christ for the benefit of repentant people, and His pointing to the rainbow is a token of mercy toward the repentant sinner.PP 107.1+2

Jesus stands as Advocate before the mercy seat under the rainbow of promise, pleading for the sinner and for the church as the slain Lamb.STBk 18.1–19.1+1 His ministry is one of kindness and infinite love, with a longing solicitude and invitation that never spurns any suppliant from His presence.Lt 116, 1894, par. 2 His pleading calls the soul to break every yoke of the enemy and take His yoke for rest of soul, trusting the ransom He paid to purchase freedom from Satan's tyranny, to make free, and to adopt into His own family as an heir of God and joint heir with Christ to imperishable riches and an immortal inheritance.Lt 116, 1894, par. 2

The rainbow stands as pledge that through Christ becoming man's substitute and offering Himself in His own body as the antitypical sacrifice, though entirely innocent submitting to be punished for disobedience to pay the penalty and bear the curse, no one who believes in Him will perish but will have everlasting life.Ms 111, 1897, par. 46–49+1 Upon the faithful, obedient child of God abundant vindication shines because of that substitution.12MR 415.2–416.1 The risen Saviour as great High Priest bears His people in mind and remembers the promises that encourage trust, and the encircling rainbow assures the weak, humble worker that faithful use of entrusted talents will be accepted.COL 148.1–3+1 It is a constant assurance that because He lives His people shall live also, so that a glimpse above and beyond the clouds to the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness brings hope amid deceiving appearances, double-dealing and duplicity that would leave hearts downcast, to be looked up to for comfort and courage.14MR 89.3+1

The rainbow of promise encircling the throne of mercy means the way is open for all who have sinned to return, humble themselves, repent, and find pardon, peace and a love that passes knowledge.Lt 3, 1892, par. 45–46 By faith the confessed sins are pictured as lying behind the rainbow, with the cloud of confessed sins behind it to be looked upon by faith.STOM 14.1–15.1+2 To every humble, contrite, believing soul the rainbow is assurance that his life is one with Christ and Christ is one with God, and that wrath will not fall on anyone who seeks refuge in Him.STOM 14.1–15.1+2

The throne arched by the bow of promise is the mercy seat and the throne of grace, where petitions are to be laid before God with one heart and one mind in Christian fellowship and with simplicity and faith in preparation for the conflict.RH Feb 11, 1904+4 It is the center of attraction because the One who sits upon it permits those who come to call Him Father, and all who approach will find pardon with all the treasures of His grace laid open to them.ST Aug 13, 1902+1 Feeble, sinful, unworthy mortals may speak to their Maker there, and their words and the cry of the soul reach that throne and are heard and not lost, for it is God's glory to answer the supplications of His people offered in faith and simplicity.RH Feb 11, 1904+3 Jesus ministers there and presents sincere prayer to the Father.ST Jun 18, 1902

The rainbow round about the throne is assurance that God is true and unchanging, with no variableness nor shadow of turning, and that He will keep His promises and His covenant.COL 148.1–3+3 Though people have sinned against Him and do not deserve favor, He Himself supplies the plea to ask for His name's sake not to disgrace the throne of His glory and not to break His covenant.COL 148.1–3+2 When sinners come confessing unworthiness and sin He has pledged Himself to give heed to their cry, staking the honor of His throne on the fulfillment of His word to them.COL 148.1–3+3 The ruling principles of that throne are justice and mercy, and it is the throne of grace and seat of mercy where divine enlightenment and answers are given, binding Himself through Christ to save all who believe under the compact of Father and Son that whosoever believes should not perish but have eternal life, a covenant as sure as the throne itself, yet no one may transgress His commandments and still expect favor, for justice and grace stand side by side.Ms 16, 1890, par. 82–84 Whenever believers come to ask mercy they may look up and behold the rainbow of promise as a mighty argument to present before God for answered prayer, while Christ as great High Priest bears His people in mind and remembers the promises that encourage trust.COL 148.1–3+1

The throne encircled by the rainbow of promise is within reach of every soul, with no distinction of nationality, race, or caste.RH Jun 17, 1915+3 All are one family by creation and all are one through redemption, and in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free.RH Jun 17, 1915+1 Christ's love is so broad, so deep, so full that it penetrates everywhere, demolishes every wall of partition, throws open every compartment of the temple courts, lifts those deluded and deceived by Satan out of his influence, and brings them near to God through His blood within reach of the throne.RH Jun 17, 1915+4

Through dependence on God through Jesus Christ people are bound to God, and that bond is made fast to the throne encircled by the rainbow of promise.CEv 88.2+3 The highest service is to recover men from the snare of Satan and bind them to God by making that chain of dependence fast.CEv 88.2+2 Believers on earth come near to the worshipers gathered around the throne above in light and glory when they assemble together as active workers in meetings for prayer and praise.19MR 254.4–255.1 Absence from religious services breaks that nearness, leaves lamps untrimmed and not burning, and leaves only a feeble reflection of God's light and glory.19MR 254.4–255.1

The bow of promise encircling the throne assures that the Lord is waiting to be gracious, and it belongs to the message of God's love to be borne to the world that Christ is man's Advocate.ST Jan 16, 1907+1 Christ's followers and human agents rooted and grounded in love and connected with Christ are to proclaim Him and bear that message in His Spirit.ST Jan 16, 1907+1

The rainbow around the throne is the bow of promise, the token of covenant with Noah, declaring to the whole world and testifying to the universe that God will never forget nor forsake His people in their struggle with evil.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5+4 It is an everlasting pledge of mercy to every repentant, believing soul and an everlasting testimony of love in giving the only begotten Son so that whoever believes should not perish but have everlasting life.Ms 100, 1893, par. 5+1 It gives everlasting assurance of strength and protection for as long as the throne itself endures.STOM 34.1+2

Knowing that the bow of promise is above the throne keeps from failing or being discouraged in this life of probation under the discipline and government of God for forming character and habits for the higher, everlasting life.STA 42.2+3 That keeping holds amid temptation and abounding iniquity, when unexpected dark and terrible chapters open where least expected to weigh down the soul, and amid heavy trials, opposition, bereavement, and affliction.STOM 34.1+4 It holds because Jesus passed through all these, and the promise sustains patience, faith, and hope in all the changing scenes of life with assurance that all things work together for good to those who love God.2MR 231.1

Keeping looking up to where that rainbow encircles the throne brings comfort and courage in pain and sleepless suffering.21MR 111.4–112.1+2 It means refusing to hide faith under unbelief and murmuring, determining not to distrust the One who has done everything, but triumphing in God.21MR 111.4–112.1+1 The soul is then daily refreshed by contemplating the great love of the heavenly Father.21MR 111.4–112.1+1

Its glory reaches across the heavens and surrounds each praying company, while its brightness arrests the hostile crowd and makes them long for protection.4SP 452.2 The Spirit opens the spiritual eye to discern the treasures of life in the Word, with a flood of light poured upon every page rich with history and illuminated with the glory of a suffering, dying Jesus.Lt 93, 1893, par. 7–9 Through faith in Him believers come under that rainbow that encircles the throne.Lt 93, 1893, par. 7–9+1

This truth of open pardon and covenant faithfulness, that the way is open for all who have sinned to return, humble themselves, repent, and find pardon, peace, and a love that passes knowledge, must never be forgotten in all work.Lt 3, 1892, par. 45–46 Keeping it before the mind puts the work on higher and holier principles.Lt 3, 1892, par. 45–46