I am a Christian. I believe in the God of the Bible, in God the Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit. I believe in Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NIV)" I am a biochemist and a pharmacist by education. As such I have a desire to understand nature. I am writing this blog as my way to express the facts of true science as I understand them, from the perspective of one who believes that all things were created by God, for God and for His purposes.

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Friday, July 13, 2012

Sardius, Carnelian or Ruby - The Sacrificial Blood

We are now at the half way point, working on the sixth foundation stone, with six more to go. Foundation six has a little identity crisis. It is called Sardius in the KJV and NKJV and called Carnelian in the NLT and NIV. The Sardius from the Breastplate (Exodus 28:17) in the KJV is translated as Ruby in the NIV. So which is it - the Sardius, the Carnelian or the Ruby? I would say it could be any or all of the three!

In the Old Testament, when referencing the first stone in the Breastplate of the High Priest, the Hebrew word used is "odem" which means a precious stone; a Ruby or Carnelian. It is derived from "adom" which means to be or look red. The New Testament Greek word is "sardion" or "sardinos" - a precious stone, the Carnelian or Sard. In ancient times the Sardius stone was obtained from Sardis in Asia Minor (Sardis was also the location of one of the prophetic Seven Churches of Revelation).

The Sardius is the red band found in the Sardonyx - a red Carnelian or Sard. It is a brownish-red mineral variety of Chalcedony (Silicon Quartz - SiO2) colored by impurities of Iron Oxide. A Ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral Corundum (same as a Sapphire - Aluminum Oxide - Al2O3). The red color is caused mainly by the presence of the element chromium. The Ruby has a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, with diamond having a Mohs hardness of 10.0.

The Sardius Stone occupied the first place on the High Priest’s Ephod. It represents Reuben by birth order and Judah by camp order. Inscribed upon the Sardius Stone was the name Judah which means Praise of Jehovah and denotes the expression of praise. The Sardius signifies the apostle Bartholomew, or Nathaniel, who Jesus immediately characterized as "Now here is a genuine son of Israel — a man of complete integrity." (John 1:47 - NLT).


The Red color of the Sardius Stone
Represents the Shed Blood of Jesus


This stone signifies the Scepter of God and the Power and Glory of God that comes forth in His purified people. It is God in His company of Saints. Those who walk in the Spirit and Power of Elohim without measure. It embodies the glory of God in judgment. All three stones, and in particular the Ruby, can be blood red and speak of the sacrifice of blood, pointing to the cross and Jesus shedding His blood for the remission of our sins.

Isaiah 5:16 (KJV) - But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

John 1:29b (NIV) - "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

27 comments:

  1. Awesome!!!!! Very informative Thanx God Bless!!!

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  2. I'm planning a painting of Jesus on the throne in rainbow shades of white as well as many crowns in gold. I got the idea when we sang: " We crown Him now with many crowns". I was looking into the colours that is present, but it seams as if all rainbow colours are present and are also reflected by Jesus's white robe. Some people say that His robe is red, but I think it is white because He is our righteousness. What do you think? Where can I find your writings on the rest of the stones used for the high priest? Do you think Jesus is dressed as our High Priest? Or do you think because His work was done on earth, that His robe is white? I do have the explanations of the clothes for the high priest, but I like the exlanation that you gave on Sardius, etc. Blessings, Prophetic painter.

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    1. I think His robe is white but when He comes to claim the earth, it will be dipped in the blood of the martyrs.

      In Luke 9:29, while on the Mount of Transfiguration, it says "As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening." So to me this is His Robe in Heaven after He has Risen. It is white and shines like the sun.

      In Revelation 19:11 it says "He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God." This is when He comes back with the armies of Heaven to do battle with the nations in the final days. Once the battle is won, He will be clothed in white again, shining like the sun and giving light to all in the New Jerusalem (Rev 22:5).

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    2. How did your painting turn out? What an undertaking! Can we see it somewhere?

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    3. I'm confused, as the 2nd commandant is NO graven images or likeness of anything that is in heaven above, so why does every single church have graven images of God and Jesus? this seems to me extremely prohibited by God, yet at any church you will find a cross. my son was in a bad motorcycle accident, tho he made it thru, it was traumatic. had someone given me a necklace with a little motorcycle dangling, I would have never worn it, as the memory would always remind me of a terrible year...yet we remind God everywhere we turn of what His Son went thru. I personally believe HE does not need to be reminded....thoughts please??

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    4. Not sure if you have came across the answer to your question,but in doing some research I came across this and wanted to shed some light...many churches are so far off from the truth and word of TheMostHigh God it amazes me sometime,but then again the scripture speaks of this. Clearly you have an eye for noticing these things where the mass majority will continue to follow something that goes against HIS word,dont take that lightly...my advice research the history and etymology of the word church,compare it with scripture...study for yourself,take no mans word for anything,and MOST importantly seek HIM directly for yourself.

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    5. Indeed God no graven images and yet I have been given in my lifetime 2 crosses. I keep them out of respect for the giver but they are not on display in my house out of respect for God.I don't understand believers who think there is some virtue to having a cross around their neck or on display in their house. I know they mean well but it is not honoring to God.

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    6. A cross is not a reminder to God but a reminder to all who see it what Christ did. I don’t worship the cross I worship the One who took my place on the cross. I don’t think the cross is a graven image. A graven image is worshiped that’s what they were made for. Maybe there are people who worship the cross idk but I look at it as a symbol a reminder of the love of God and his redemption power through the cross.

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  3. This was awesome. Thank you. Glory to the Lord God Most High.

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  4. Excellent information provided, reading these verses right now. Have you found any info on the carbuncle and ligure stones yet?

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  5. Thank you so much! I've searched all over to research the meaning behind Sardius/Carnelian for a specific cause and reason and found nothing. The information you've provided has given me a sigh of relief and completely gave me understanding of its meaning and significance.

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  6. Carbuncle an red gemstone that is often referred to as red garnet is sometimes called a rube as well. What is the difference between Sardius or Carnelian and Carbuncle?

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  7. Well the Carbuncle is not the same as Sardius (and thus Carnelian) as the Sardius is the first stone in the breastplate and the Carbuncle is the third. The word for Carbuncle used in Exodus is "bareqeth" which refers to a bright (possibly transparent?) gemstone, most likely red in color. This could be a garnet. Carbuncle is not found in the foundations of the New Jerusalem. Sardius and Carnelian are not necessarily transparent, but are generally opaque.

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    1. yes it's generally opaque.... I have the stone almost same with the image you show on the right....

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  9. The Biblical Sardius was in all probabilty the fine red carnelian, asw Ruby/corundum was unknown in that part of the world during the Bronze Age. All stones, and all things, reflect the glory of God in some aspect, and should be respected as such.

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  10. I am writing a song that goes ...There shall be no more sun but HIS glory shall give light everywhere. This light shall be like jasper, jasper, jasper, jasper everywhere and like ruby, ruby, ruby, ruby everywhere with a rainbow, rainbow, rainbow, rainbow 'round HIS throne. Is this biblically correct according to Revelations 4:3?

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  11. One commentor wondered what color Christ’s robe was and was comparing it to a rainbow. When all the colors of the rainbow are merged together, you get perfect white. Which means all the clouds are gone for good. And emerald describes the rainbow in revelation I think because other than a diamond in the west, in the east the Emerald is the Most precious stone and is highly revered among the people.

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  12. I have dark red stone (carnelian) which you show the two image...
    I have on the right side... may I know the price of this stone...

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  13. Loved your blog can you write about the seven foundation of the 'New Jerusalem' in detail about the stone's used and it's structures I would love to read it

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    1. I have blog entries on each stone of the foundation if you look through my blogs. I also have an e-book on Amazon called "The Minerals of Revelation" that has all of the blogs together in one book.

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  14. Thanks for the work you have done here. I have been researching dreams in the scriptures and in particular...stones in dreams of Christians and their meaning in Gods dream language. I have found your work very helpful helping me in this study. Keep up the great work you are doing and I'll see you on the other side. ssminnow2

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  15. Apparently you haven’t searched enough churches because my church does not display any form of cross nor image of any kind. We do our best to teach/preach nothing but the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified once and for All. And as the New Testament church taught on the day of Pentecost according to the 2nd chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Repentance and Baptism in Jesus Name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. This is what the Apostles taught. We are the Apostolic Church!

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  16. Thank you for letting me find myself! Oi! CAT

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  17. I just study ,about stones and think why God gives so much importance to 12 stones? I search deep meaning and I take your meaning for one stone and thanku God's chemestry God bless you

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  18. Praise The LORD of Glory for giving you His understanding and insight!

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