John declares that "there was a rainbow

around the throne".

It means that

though the

throne is one of

judgment, it is

not a throne to

bring the

world to an end.

God is keeping

in mind

His covenant with Noah. The rainbow is

a token of God's covenant with all flesh,

never to destroy the inhabitants of the

world like in the Flood. (Genesis 9:11,17)

As judgment falls on the earth, fears

might arise that God is about the destroy

the world.

The appearance of the rainbow shows

that God will keep His promise and

covenant. The earth is to be judged, but

not to come to an end.