"In heaven, a throne was in place, and someone was sitting on it. And the one sat resembled a jasper stone and a sardius stone, and all around the throne was a rainbow resembling an emerald." 3. Revelation 4:2. The image of the throne is described in greater detail in chapter 5 where it is said to be made up of various precious stones. The image of the throne also appears in Ezekiel 1:26-28. According to Jewish tradition, this is the throne from which God rules over the universe. Christians believe that Jesus has been seated on this throne, thus becoming the final authority for justice and righteousness. Sardius is used to describe those who belong to God's church but who are still alive when Revelation is written (see Rev. 2:1). They will not experience death, however, because they will be resurrected with Christ (see Rev. 20:5). It may appear odd that there would be a gem called a sardius stone, but these gems were commonly used by the ancient world for jewelry and sculpture. They are red or orange in color, and although they come in many different shapes and sizes, they all share the same basic mineral composition: silicon dioxide (silica), with varying amounts of iron, magnesium, aluminum, and calcium added during its formation.