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

 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 the 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 stones somewhat similar the ones described here. (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 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:45, 46; compare Job 28:12, 17, 18. 

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

From the jw.org publications