Revelation 4:3-5

Expanded Bible

³ The One who sat on the throne looked like precious stones, like jasper and carnelian [^Ca symbol of great beauty, purity and value]. All around the throne was a ·rainbow [or halo] ·the color of [or that looked like] an emerald. ⁴ Around the throne there were twenty-four other thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them [^Cprobably angelic leaders]. They were dressed in white and had golden crowns [^Cwreaths symbolizing honor or victory; see 2:10] on their heads. ⁵ Lightning flashes and ·noises and thunder [or the rumbling of thunder; ^Cphenomena associated with God’s appearance at Mount Sinai; Ex. 19:16–18] came from the throne. Before the throne seven lamps were burning, which are the seven spirits [^Ceither angels or the “sevenfold Spirit”—the Holy Spirit portrayed in his perfection; 3:1] of God.