[:en]SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 21
” It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty, I will give to drink without cost from the spring of water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (Revelation 21:7-8)
John saw a new heaven and a new earth. The Holy City, the new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven from God as a bride. Then a loud voice saying: “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself wil be with them and be their God. He will wipe away tears from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (vs. 3-4)
One of the 7 angels who had the 7 bowls fill with 7 last plagues came and carried John to a great and high mountain. This is the description of the Holy City, Jerusalem: (vs. 10-21)
- The glory of God shown with brilliance like a jasper, clear as crystal.
- It had a great high wall with 12 angels at each gate. The gates were written the 12 tribes of Israel. The east, the west, the north and the south had 3 gates each.
- The wall of the city had 12 foundations with 12 names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.
- The city is in square shape with 12,000 stadia (2,200 kilometers) in length and width.
- The wall was 144 cubits thick (about 65 meters) and made of pure gold as pure as glass and made of jasper. And the foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stones as follows: 1st -jasper, 2nd – sapphire, 3rd – chalcedony, 4rd – emerald, 5th – sardonyx, 6th – carnelian, 7th – chrysolite, 8th – beryl, 9th – topaz, 10th – chrysoprase, 11th – jacinth, 12th – amethyst.
- The great street of the city was of pure gold like transparent glass.
The city does not need the sun or moon to shine, for the glory of God gives its light and the Lamb is its lamps (v. 21). The gates will always be opened and only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life can enter.
SUMMARY:
The old creation had passed away. God is going to renovate the old heaven and earth and create a new heaven and earth and make everything new. The New Jerusalem is described as a bride. In chapter 17, the woman or Beast (Babylonian system) was pictured as a harlot. The New Jerusalem unites all people in the Old Testament and New Testament.
There will be no “sea”, sun” or “moon” nor temple because God will personally dwell with His people in eternity. The significance of “no more” is that John was exiled in an island separated from all people. No sun or moon because God himself is the light. The glory replaces them all. There will be no more tears, death or sadness. The curse is removed and Christ had declared: It is finished”. All those belong to Him can enter the new creation except those wicked and sinful people. Are you prepared to enter the New Jerusalem and enjoy its beauty and blessings?
THE 12 GEMSTONES – COLOR, ORIGIN, BLIBLICAL MEANING, SIGNIFICANCE
1. Jasper – it has various colors (red, brown, orange) – It came from the Greek word “IASPIS” which is a derivation of the Hebrew word “YASHEPHEH” coming from a root word meaning “to polish”. It symbolizes the glory of God, His splendor, brightness, magnificent and beauty. It symbolizes the blood atonement of Christ and passing over of God’s judgment. It also represents royalty, properity, prestige and valiance. It is a stone of grounding and stability providing comfort and security, strength and healing.
2. Sapphire – its color is blue. It came from the Hebrew word SAPIR meaning “gem” or “jewel”. It came from the Greek word SAPPHEIROS meaning “blue color”. It signifies hope and faith that brings protection, good fortune and spiritual insight. It is a symbol of power and strength, kindness and wise judgment.
3. Chalcedony – Its colors are green or blueish. It came from the Greek word “CHALKEIDOS”. “CHALKOS” meaning brass and “EIDOS” meaning external or outward appearance, form, figures or shape. It is a stone that promotes brotherhood and goodwill. It harmonizes the mind, body and emotions and instill feelings of benevolence, generosity and joy.
4. Emerald – its color is green. It derived from a Persian word meaning “green gem”. It changed from Greek to Latin as SMARAGDUS, then to ESMAURDE, ESMRALDE, and in the 16th century to ESMERALDE. It is a stone of intuition associated with sight and the revelation of future events and truths. It stands for everlasting life, growth and fertility.
5. Sardonyx – Its colors are opaque orange, red, brown. It derives from Hebrew word “SHOHAM” whose root word means “to blanch”. (Strong’s $H7718). It is called “SARDONNUX” in the Greek (Strong’s #GG4557) which refers to the nail of a finger. It is often referred to as the gem of courage and gem of virtue. The SARD (reddish brown color) signifies the martyrs shedding their blood for Christ and the white thin heavenly robes. It is a stone of protection and strength which promotes virtuous conduct and integrity that brings happiness and stability to partnership.
6. Carnelian – Its colors are orange, red and brown. The Hebrew word “ODEM” (Carnelian) is the modern word for the stone translated as “SARDIUS” in King’s James Version. The Hebrew word “ODEM” (literally redness or red stone) is translated by some Bible scholars as Sardius (today’s Carnelian). “Odem” is the stone listed as the first stone in the breastplate in Exodus. It is a stone of motivation and endurance, leadership and courage. It restores vitality, motivation and stimulates creativity and goals toward success.
7. Chrysolite – its colors are green and yellow. It had its original from old French “CRISOLITE”, from medieval Latin “CRISOLITUS”, from Latin “CHRYSOLITHUS” based on Greek “KHRUSOS” – “gold” and “LITHOS” – “stone”. It is used in the Bible to describe the city of God. The meaning of “CHRY” is said to be gold, which signifies wisdom and charity.
8. Beryl – it has a variety of colors – green, blue, pink, yellow, red, aqua marine. It came from the Latin word “BERYLLUS”. It is a female name of Greek origin and the meaning is “light green semi-precious gemstone”. It is one of the precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest. Beryl is considered a token of good luck. It has been said to have the power to keep demons away, to promote happiness and marital love, increase sincerity, cure laziness, protect travelers from danger and maintain youthfulness. Pliny, the elder used a powdered form of Beryl to cure eye injuries as well as disorders of the heart and spine.
9. Topaz – its color includes yellow, gold, blue, pink, colorless, orange. The name Topaz is derived from the Hebrew “PITDAH” (Strong’s #H635). the NLT calls it “a pale green peridot”. It is a precious stone consisting of a fluorine containing aluminum silicate. It is a powerful stone for strengthening the whole physical body. It balances, soothes, and cleanses emotion and thoughts, releases stress and brings joy, love and peace.
10. Chrysoprase – its color is green. It originates form the Greek word “CHRYSOPRASUS”. ‘CHRYSOS” meaning gold and “PRASINON” meaning green. It is a rare gemstone variety of chalcedony that contains small quantities of nickel. It symbolizes spiritual protection and increase grace and equilibrium. It is a stone with metaphysical properties for healing and attract new love, abundance and prosperity. It promotes joy and happiness and help to heal the heart of the energy of depression and anxiety. It is useful for emotional health as it promotes forgiveness, empathy, self-growth and self- love.
11. Jacinth – its color are purple, and reddish orange. It is derived from the Hebrew word “IESHEM” (Strong’s #H3958). The name “Jacinth” is a Greek baby name related to the Green flower came from Hyacinth. It has a reputation of being one of the earth’s finest gemstone in history. It is a stone of self-realization. This stone is said to instill wisdom, attract great riches and posses medicinal properties that enhance beauty. Jacinth reminds the true meaning of life.
12. Amethyst – its color is purple or violet. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word is “ACHLAMACH”, meaning the passion stone known as “AMETHYST”. It is thought to have derived from the root “CHALAM” meaning to dream and thus “AMETHYST” is sometimes referred to as the dream stone. It is believed to be a powerful and protective stones that guards against psychic attack and harm. It is a natural tranquilizer to relieved stress, instability, anger, fear and anxiety. It alleviates sadness, griefs, and dissolves negativity. It calms and stimulates the mind and enhance memory.
Note: Sources: Color and significance – from en.wikipedia.org / godschemistrysetblogspot.com; Origin and Biblical meaning – from www.biblestudytools.com / biblegateway.com / Strong’s Concordance
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