Pearly Gates, Streets of Gold
Scripture Reading — Revelation 21:1-21
The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.
Astronomers say that the heavy metals in the periodic table of the elements (gold, platinum, uranium) were formed under tremendous pressure in the depths of giant stars in the far reaches of the universe. They were scattered as far as our solar system by the explosion of those stars and became part of our earth. Here they are rare, precious gifts from God.
Streets of gold! Gates made from single pearls! Unfathomable riches! Imagine if your front door was made from a slice of one huge pearl!
Everything about the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, speaks to the riches of the plan of salvation and the glory of God. There are twelve gates, by which the nations of the earth can stream in from all directions to their eternal blessing. There is no temple in the city “because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” And by God’s great salvation, people from all nations will be able to bring their splendor and glory and honor, all that God has blessed and purified in Christ, into this ultimate Holy City of God, which is also called the Bride of the Lamb.
Though we can’t fully wrap our minds around these descriptions, we can be sure that the reality will be far more wonderful than words could describe and we could imagine.
Praise to you, our Creator and Redeemer! Thank you that, through faith, our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. In Christ’s name we worship you, O God, for ever and ever! Amen.
About the author — George Young
George Young, a native New Yorker, worked as a taxi driver in New York City before studying to become a pastor. Then he, his wife Ruth, and their children were missionaries for many years in northeastern Japan. They worked with ministers and believers from the Reformed Church in Japan to spread the good news of salvation in Christ and establish new churches. Now George and Ruth are retired and live in the northeastern United States, nearer to their children and grandchildren.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!