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 foundationsof the city's wall were adorned with every sort of precious stone: the first foundation was jasper, the second saffire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh crysolite, the eighth  beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh hyacinth, the twelveth amethyst.  Also, the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of gats was 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 if 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 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. 

No 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 cleaned will make up New Jerusalem, and in this watyy Jehovah builds the city with living materials that are aglow with the highest excelence 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 and ephod studded with 12 different stones somewhat similar to the ones described her.  (Exodus 28:15-21)  Surely this is no 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 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: The Resplendent City - A City of Light

From the jw.org publications