Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

—R EVELATION 4:3

On the breastplate of the high priest of the earthly tabernacle there were twelve individual precious gemstones—three stones positioned in four rows in a golden breastplate (Exod. 28:15–21). The first stone was a sardius (v. 17), the stone representing Jacob’s first son, Reuben. The jasper was the last stone on the breastplate (v. 20) and was the stone for Jacob’s last son, Benjamin. The fact that these two stones are the first and last stones on the breastplate of the high priest reveal that the Almighty is the first and the last. It is written, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Rev. 1:8). These two stones also hold a clue concerning Christ Himself. The Hebrew name Reuben means, “Behold a son,” and the name Benjamin means, “Son of the right hand.” Christ was introduced at His baptism as God’s Son (Matt. 3:17). After His resurrection He ascended to heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33). Thus, the first and last sons of Jacob represent Christ’s earthly ministry and His heavenly ministry. John described a rainbow that was like an emerald (Rev. 4:3). The emerald is sea green and, according to some, was the stone used to identify the tribe of Judah in ancient Israel. 4 The emerald was also considered a wedding stone. The rainbow is mentioned as a covenant sign given after