February 24: PURE TRANSPARENCY

…having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Revelation 21:11

John had the awesome task of describing in human words the divine vision before his eyes. Following the rescue of the children of Israel from Egypt, the manifestation of God’s glory was the main feature and purpose of the tabernacle structure in the wilderness. He had brought them out of a terrible environment of sin, slavery, and degradation in order to teach them the way of life that begets life. The Source of Life wants to dwell with His beloved people! (See Exodus 25:8.)

A “fly over” of the Scriptures reveals the development of the concept of dwelling with God. The portable tabernacle eventually became the temple that King Solomon erected. At the dedication of the temple, considered by many to be the zenith of the history of the nation of Israel, God’s glory filled the temple so that no one, not even the priests, could enter (2 Chronicles 7:1-2). From outside the temple the people recognized and declared: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.” (v.3) But even at this point, He was calling them to “humble themselves, to pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways” (v.14).

The second temple was not as beautiful as the first, yet it is considered more glorious for the presence of Jesus Christ within its walls. Sadly, due to the rejection of the Savior, the temple building itself became an idol. At the end of His ministry, Jesus pronounced it desolate (Matthew 23:38), meaning uninhabited. Jesus then said to His disciples, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (24:2)

The idea of a dwelling place for God was developed in a linear, logical fashion right down to the individual: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

It is the glory of God to do a work within each of us that will enable us to abide in His very presence, and He in us. It is our choice to cooperate with Him…or not. As John beheld the sparkling, glistening beauty of the colossal heavenly city filled with people who radiate God’s glory, he struggled to describe what he was seeing. John said this of the glory of the Lamb’s wife: Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Notice that the glory of God reflected in His people becomes her light! Human words are inadequate to express the radiant glory of God that fills His people who love Him. Clear crystal symbolizes the pure, transparent nature of our God. Think of diamonds, or snowflakes! We are invited to explore the innumerable facets of His flawless nature of love. Such exploration will take an eternity! But, for now, you can be sure that His word reveals more than enough of His character for us to unreservedly lay down our selfish ways and be changed by beholding Him. There is nothing secret about the invitation He gives to the world.

“In secret I have said nothing.” John 18:20b