Three Materials in God’s Eternal Purpose
Revelation 21:18, “And the building work of its wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold…”
Revelation 21:21a, “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls.”
Revelation only mentions three materials in the composition of New Jerusalem: gold, pearl, and precious stones. These signify God’s nature, Christ’s life, and the Spirit’s transformation. The Triune God is the constitution of the entire city of New Jerusalem.
First Corinthians 3:12 says that spiritual building should have materials of gold, silver, and precious stones…but in Genesis 2, in the garden of Eden, there were gold, precious stones, and pearl—there was no silver. In Revelation 21, in the New Jerusalem, there are once again gold, precious stones, and pearl; there is no silver. What is the significance of this? Gold, precious stones, and pearl—these three items—are found both in the garden of Eden and in the New Jerusalem. This means that gold, precious stones, and pearl are from eternity to eternity.*
Silver represents redemption. In Genesis 1–2 there was no sin and in Revelation 21–22 there is no sin. Hence there is no need of redemption and no silver is present. In contrast, from Genesis 3 through Revelation 20 there is sin causing the need of redemption.
Thank God that although we have sinned, the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from every sin. However, God has shared the life of His Son with us, a life which forever needs no redemption. One day we will live completely by this life and the history of sin will pass away.*
How wonderful that Jesus died so that God could forgive our sins. As Christians we need to confess our sins and receive forgiveness (1 John 1:7). But even more we need to hold onto Christ to grow in His life in everything so that He can flow through us for the growth and building of His Body (Eph. 4:15-16) unto New Jerusalem.
* From chapter 5 of The Glorious Church by Watchman Nee, published and © by Living Stream Ministry, available at www.ministrybooks.org/ and www.livingstream.com/en/the-church/8012401-glorious-church-the.html.
Posted by Don on July 20, 2022
