Chapter Forty-Three -The Resplendent City - Precious Building Materials

John continues his description:"Now the structure of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold like clear glass.  The foundations  of the city's wall were adorned with every sort of precious stone:  the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth crhysoprase, the  eleventh hyacinth, the twelfth amethyst. Also, the gates were pearls; each one of the twelve gates were made of one pearl.  And the broad way of the city was pure gold, as transparent glass." -Revelation 21:18-21. 

The city's construction is truly resplendent. Instead of the mundane, earthly building materials like clay or stone, we read of jasper, refined gold, and "every sort of precious stone."  How fittingly these portray celestial building materials!  Nothing could be more magnificent.  The ancient ark of the covenant was overlaid with pure gold, and in the Bible this element often represents things that are good and valuable.  (Exodus 25:11; Proverbs 25:11; Isaiah 60:6, 17)  But the entire New Jerusalem, and even its broad way, are constructed of "pure gold like clear glass,"  portraying a beauty and intrinsic value that stagger the imagination. 

The human smelter could produce gold of such purity.  But Jehovah is the Master Refiner.  He sits "as a refiner and cleanser of silver," and he refines the individual, faithful members of spiritual Israel "like gold and like silver," removing from them all impurities. Only individuals who have truly been refined and cleansed  will finally make up New Jerusalem, and in this way Jehovah builds the city with living building materials that are aglow with the highest excellence of spiritual purity. -Malachi 3:3, 4. 

Even the city's foundations are beautiful, being adorned with 12 precious gems.  This calls to mind the ancient Jewish high priest, who on ceremonial days wore an ephod studded with 12 different precious stones somewhat similar to the ones described her.  (Exodus 28:15-21)  Surely this  is not coincidence!  Rather, it emphasizes the priestly  function of New Jerusalem,  of which Jesus the great High Priest, is the "lamp."  (Revelation 20:6;21:23; Hebrews 8:1)  Also, it is through New Jerusalem that the benefits  of Jesus' high-priestly ministry are channeled to mankind.  (Revelation 22:1, 2)  The city's 12 gates, each being a pearl of great beauty, call to mind Jesus' illustration of that likened the Kingdom to a pearl of high value.  All who enter through those gates will have shown true appreciation for spiritual values. -Matthew 13:45, 46; compare Job 28:12, 17, 18. 

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three -The Resplendent City - A City of Light

From the book of Revelation