March 4: SPIRITUAL BUILDING THEME
…the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. Revelation 21:20
As he recorded his observations of the Heavenly City, our brother John likely felt at every turn the inadequacy and insufficiency of the most vivid human language to convey a word picture of what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). The precious materials help to communicate the physical reality of the New Jerusalem, but infinitely more important is the presence of God and the free, unlimited access of the redeemed to Him. Ezekiel’s vision closed with these words: the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE (Ezekiel 48:35).
Today’s verse lists eight precious stones to add to the four listed yesterday. The Greek word used for foundation (v.19) is themelios, which points to a consistent theme in the Bible for undertaking any building project. Without a doubt, the message behind these passages of Scripture alludes to more than an architectural description.
[King Solomon] commanded them to quarry large stones, costly stones, and hewn stones, to lay the foundation of the temple. In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid, in the month of Ziv. 1 Kings 5:17 and 6:37
The figurative, symbolic aspects of spiritual building is supported by an illustration from the lips of Jesus who emphasized that hearing and obeying His words compares to “a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.” (Luke 6:48)
The variety of colors represented by the list of gemstones is a fitting tribute to the Apostles’ variety of personality traits. This colorful plethora of characters learned what it is to work harmoniously and in unity for the sake of their beloved Lord. The most solid foundation ever created is that upon which the New Jerusalem rests!
When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. Proverbs 10:25
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11
For further study: Isaiah 54:11-12; Hebrews 6:1-2