March 3: FOR GLORY AND FOR BEAUTY
The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones; the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald… Revelation 21:19
John’s detailed description of God’s City of Peace circles back around to its solid base. Though this base is spoken of in plural form—foundations—they are perfectly fitted together to form the secure and unshakable bedrock of security, denoting a perfect agreement and unity among God’s faithful. Such unity cannot exist apart from full acceptance of the truth of His word. One only has to read the very first verse of Scripture to realize that we have an enemy who brazenly challenges the role and character of the Creator, along with His every word. This enemy has a very high success rate through his deceptive reasoning. Of course, his idea of “success” is causing people to mistrust the God of all Creation, to doubt the truth of His word, and thus lead them into a state of lostness.
Today’s verse profoundly symbolizes unity between all kinds of precious believers. They are standing upon the sure foundation that never shifts. The example given to every one of us by the Lord is not that of a “good person” or even a “good Christian”. Our example is God Himself. As a witness for Christ among the lost, you and I are to show to others that which He Himself has shown to us. Each of us is to stand confidently upon the foundation of Truth, regardless of the relentless efforts of the enemy to dissuade us and maintain his insidious hold.
In eternity, the widely varied personality traits in which we often delight as we interact with each other will be magnified, as a testimony to the infinite creative power of the Creator. In Heaven, you will still be you, minus every negative trait. This will be the glorious reality of the saved throughout eternity. If the Spirit of God is transforming you from within, the supernatural will become natural in you as the result of His grace. It is His life being lived in you! This very minute, He is doing the work of sanctification. Think of Him as the master sculptor—with hammer and chisel in Hand—and allow Him to do His work (ouch!). Do not worry over what others may or may not think. Coming to Him as a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5).
There is debate regarding the exact identification of gemstones worn on the breastplate attached to the ephod of the high priest (see Exodus 28:17-21), but the list of them seems to correspond to the list of foundation materials for the Holy City. We can be certain, not only of the security of its construction, but incredible beauty as well. Our God creates visual beauty for our enjoyment. In making the first earthly tabernacle, even the priestly garments were to be made according to particular specifications, for glory and for beauty (vv.2,40). Things of beauty become metaphors for the various aspects of His character that He desires to see reflected in each of us. As He seeks to woo and win our hearts, it all comes back around to the indescribable love of God.
“They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17