I know this will bless you tremendously. I finally got round to writing the final instalment of the City of Heaven. We have been busy with relocating and moving our stuff for the past 2 weeks so things have been busy around the house, but here goes;
We see precious jewels/stones in various contexts in the Word. We can see how in the NT parables they are highly sought after and merchants sell all they have to obtain the most precious of pearls. We can see that the most famous kings acquired precious stones in abundance. We see it in the breastplate of the High priest. We see it in the palaces of kings and, most significant of all, we see it in the New Jerusalem.
Rev 21:19-21 KJV
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
Now, John the revelator, was not unfamiliar with this concept. It was not something that he got out of thin air. Except for the fact that Yeshua was giving him this vision, it is based on OT texts.
Isaiah 54:11-14
“O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, Behold, I will set your stones in antimony, And your foundations I will lay in sapphires. “Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies, And your gates of crystal, And your entire wall of precious stones. “All your sons will be taught of the Lord; And the well-being of your sons will be great. “In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you.
The entire context of Isaiah 54 is a description of New Jerusalem. And we have spoken of those being born from above. Those who have been born from the barren woman, New Jerusalem. These are the promises to the children born of Yah in Isaiah 54;
-Their vindication is from Yah
-Their children will be taught by Yah
-Their well-being (health) will be great.
-They will be grounded in righteousness
-They will not fear
-Oppression and terror will not come near them
-No attacks against them will succeed
-And every tongue that accuses them in judgment Yah will condemn.
These are the beautiful promises for those that will be born from above. Furthermore, the book of Tobit/Tobias (that was included in the Greek Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, 1611 King James, Geneva Bible and is considered scripture by most Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Ethiopian churches) also elaborates on this. Here is what the brother had to say about New Jerusalem that coincides with Isaiah:
Tobit 13:16-18
For Jerusalem shall be built up with sapphires and emeralds, and precious stone: thy walls and towers and battlements with pure gold. And the streets of Jerusalem shall be paved with beryl and carbuncle and stones of Ophir. And all her streets shall say, Alleluia; and they shall praise him, saying, Blessed be God, which hath extolled it for ever.
After the previous post on the mountain(s) of Yah, the book of Enoch colours the picture in even more thoroughly:
Enoch 24:1-2
I went from there to another place, and saw a mountain of fire flashing both day and night. I proceeded towards it; and perceived seven splendid mountains, which were all different from each other. Their stones were brilliant and beautiful; all were brilliant and splendid to behold; and beautiful was their surface…
There is significant dovetailing in the accounts of John, Isaiah, Tobit and Enoch when it comes to the New Jerusalem.
Sound pretty neat and shiny, but what does it have to do with us, His people. Just hang in here with me.
There is even more significance to these stones. All these stones are anisotropic. Here is an explanation of what that means and how significant these jewels are.
These precious stones reflect beautiful patterns of rainbow colours when a filter is used to shine pure light through them. In the video it becomes clear these stones of new Jerusalem reflect all the colours of the rainbow. The rainbow colours of the stones represent the covenant and promises. Similarly, the light shining through the stones could create the rainbow of where Yah is enthroned. When His light lights us up as living stones, we reflect wonderful, covenant-behaviour and trust in His promises – that honours the Most High.
So keep that in mind.
1 Peter 2:4-9
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
This is the spiritual significance of the precious stones. The precious stones are His priests. Firstly, it mentions Yeshua as a living stone (the High Priest). Remember Exodus 28:15-21 mentions in detail how the breastplate of the High Priest had to be fabricated of pure gold and adorned with the various precious stones. These precious stones connect to those being part of the priesthood where Yeshua is the High Priest. We are on His chest, His heart.
Secondly, just like the tabernacle/temple of old Yah will inhabit us – His people. We are the house being built up with precious, living stones. We become living stones upon the living One. He is the foundation of the residing presence of the Most High.
To confirm and take this a step further, let’s have a look at a prophetic message in the life of King David;
2 Samuel 12:29-30
And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. And he took their king’s crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David’s head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
Rabbah means great, many, abundant or enough.
This makes sense in a prophetic context. As Yeshua (David) will take a remnant (precious stones) out of the many (Rabbah). Those that were under the dominion of the darkness are now transferred to the Kingdom of Light through Yeshua. The enemy hands over the precious ones, the chosen.
We are precious and rare and sought after by the Most High. Those who have the testimony of Yeshua and walk in His ways are limited editions. We are different, significantly set-apart. It is truly difficult to make a difference if we are not different – different from the culture and the people among us. Abba wants a unique/peculiar people group. There is no other way to become the bride. These living stones are the rare and unique ones from amongst many. Those that form part of the priesthood; they are joined to the High Priest, Yeshua. He carries us on His heart and we get to be part of His everlasting Kingdom.
Trust this has blessed you.
Shalom fam
Edgar<>Judah
