Foundation Stones

2006-11-2 05:44:00

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.  (Revelation 21:18)

Most scholars think the jasper here is the equivalent of the modern diamond. If so, the city is made of two of the most precious materials on the earth - gold and diamonds, or a diamond like material.

It is interesting that the words "pure" and "clear" both come from the same Greek word KATHAROS. This tells us the substance is purified. It could be clear, or it could not be, but it would have no impurities. The idea that the word "clear" is an appropriate translation is evidenced in verse 21, which says:  "the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass." The walls are made of translucent diamond and the city is made of a see-through gold.

This tells us that there are no secrets in the city but all will be made known as taught by Jesus:

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.  (Luke 12:2)

The surroundings of the New Jerusalem are not only made of the finest substance, but the spiritual essence or the feelings enjoyed there are of the finest spiritual nature. The core of this spiritual substance is the pure in heart who are the inhabitants.

19  And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20  The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
Revelation 21:19-20

The twelve precious stones at the foundation repeat, in different words, that there are numerous precious characteristics that disciple must possess to pass through the gates.

It is interesting that some old texts associate these stones with the twelve signs of the Zodiac. It is also interesting that the essence of each sign can be reduced to a characteristic that a disciple must possess to obtain the kingdom of God.

Here are the signs that correspond to the stones with the divine quality:

  1. Jasper - Pisces - Sacrifice
  2. Sapphire - Aquarius - Service
  3. Capricorn - Chalcedony - Perseverance
  4. Emerald - Sagittarius - Expansion
  5. Sardonyx - Scorpio - Acceptance
  6. Sardius (or Carnelian) - Libra - Judgment
  7. Chrysolite - Virgo - Nurturing
  8. Beryl - Leo - Courage
  9. Topaz - Cancer - Secure
  10. Chrysoprasus - Gemini - Progressive
  11. Jacinth - Taurus - Stability
  12. Amethyst - Aries - Initiative

The curious thing about the order of the stones as associated with the zodiac is that its order is exactly reversed.

Why is this?

Students of esoteric astrology will realize the answer on this. As the pilgrim goes through a long series of lives he follows the path of least resistance and generally progresses clockwise through the zodiac as he is reborn on the earth again and again. When he finally becomes a disciple he then takes the path less traveled on and changes course. He then progresses counterclockwise through the zodiac and performs the twelve Labors of Hercules, or a great labor in each of the signs through a series of twelve lives.

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.  (Revelation 21:21)

What is the symbolism of the pearls? Some pearls were of great value in that age as illustrated in the parable of Christ:

45  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Matthew 13:45-46

The pearls at the gates are thus symbolic of the fact that the disciple must be willing to sacrifice all he has to enter the kingdom of God.

Here is the rest of the chapter:

22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

23  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

25  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

26  And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

27  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Revelation 21:22-27

The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)