And there was a rainbow.—“The rainbow has always been an emblem of _peace_. It appears on the cloud as the storm passes away. It contrasts beautifully with the tempest that has just been raging. It is seen as the rays of the sun again appear clothing all things with beauty—the more beautiful from the fact that the storm has come. It is a pledge that the war of the elements has ceased, and that God smiles again upon the earth. The appearance of the rainbow around the Throne was a beautiful emblem of the mercy of God, and of the peace that was to pervade the world as the result of the events that were to be disclosed to the vision of John.” (Barnes.) The rainbow is characterized by seven colors—perfection. (Ezek. 1:28.) It represents not only the bow of promise for mankind, but the _peace_ of God. It is His _Plan_. “From His own vast inherent resources of power and wisdom, springs the peace of God. But not from this source alone is the Divine peace; for peace is the certain concomitant of inherent goodness. God is the impersonation of every virtue and every grace; consequently He has the blessed satisfaction and peace of conscious moral perfection as well as inherent wisdom and power.” (Z. ’95‐153.) “During the seventh millennium, according to the Divine purpose, it will be the joyful privilege of our Lord Jesus to fully manifest to all creatures in Heaven and in earth the Father’s glorious character. Then will the Father rejoice in the grandeur of His finished work and in the everlasting peace and happiness of His family in Heaven and in earth, ‘reunited under one head.’ (Eph. 1:10, _Diaglott_.)”—Z. ’95‐155. Round about the Throne.—Justice is “the habitation of Thy Throne.” (Psa. 89:14.) “God’s law is stern Justice, with no allowances, ready to consume as a fire everything blemished. Who cannot see that if God could deal with sinners, and condoning their sins, accept their best endeavors, though imperfect, there would have been no necessity for a Redeemer? And thus, to all eternity, there might be danger of sin on the part of those who had not already dabbled in it. Seeing this, it does not surprise us that God, in the interest of all His holy creatures, as well as for His own pleasure, decides that He will recognize nothing short of perfection in any creature, and makes _Justice_ the foundation of His Throne.”—E. _481_, 472. In sight like unto an emerald.—“The same with the ancient _smaragdus_; one of the most beautiful of gems, of a bright green color, without any mixture.”—_Diaglott._ “The _emerald_, of bright green color, ‘was the most precious gem in the Roman jeweller’s list.... The Romans were plentifully supplied with the true emerald. The _smaragdus_ of Nero’s age must be restricted to the true emerald, perhaps including the green ruby.’ (King.)”—_Nat. Hist. of Precious Stones._ The color of the emerald, green, signifies everlastingness. “From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.”—Psa. 90:2; Ezek. 1:28.