The Sitting One

When John ascends in the Spirit through the door in the sky, he sees a throne and on the throne “sitting” (Gr. kathemenos ). The Greek doesn’t have the article; in 4:2, it is not “the One who sits” (though it is in 4:3), but simply the participle. Enthronement is not accidental, but of the essence. What John sees is Enthronement itself enthroned.

The Enthronement looks like a jasper and sardius, surrounded by a rainbow like emerald (v. 3). This is the Rock of Israel, but not a rough desert rock of granite or quartz. Here is the Rock fo Israel depicted as a precious stone.

Next
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Moral Certitude and the Iran War

Steven A. Long

The current military engagement with Iran calls renewed attention to just war theory in the Catholic tradition.…

The Slow Death of England: New and Notable Books

Mark Bauerlein

The fate of England is much in the news as popular resistance to mass immigration grows, limits…

Ethics of Rhetoric in Times of War

R. R. Reno

What we say matters. And the way we say it matters. This is especially true in times…