New Jerusalem is Gold + Pearls + Precious Stones
New Jerusalem is composed of gold (Rev. 21:18, 21), pearl (v. 21), and precious stones (v. 11, 18-20). These three materials are spiritual signs signifying the Triune God as the reality of the city.
Gold is God Himself as the divine nature given to us as a gift of which we may partake and which we may enjoy. Pearls, however, do not refer to Christ Himself directly but to the produce of His work of redemption through His death and resurrection. The work of the Son is His redemptive work, of which there are mainly two aspects—one aspect is to wash away all our negative things through His death, and the other aspect is to germinate us, to make us alive, with the divine life through His resurrection….The work of Christ produces pearls, and the work of the Spirit of Christ produces precious stones.*
Physical precious stones are formed under the earth from ordinary materials under heat and pressure. This is a “transformation” from one chemical structure to another. Spiritual precious stones, those seen in New Jerusalem, are formed by the Spirit’s transformation work within natural human beings.
This transformation is a renewing of our inner being, especially of our mind. Titus 3:5 tells us that renewing is accomplished by the Spirit. Both Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:23 say that this renewing is in our mind. New Jerusalem is the center of the new creation; to be part of this city we need a thorough renewing. May the Spirit do His work in us daily.
* From chapter 34, Witness Lee, God’s New Testament Economy, published by Living Stream Ministry, © Witness Lee, 1986.
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Posted by Don on February 13, 2023
