THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #178 | THE LIFE OF MOSES #159
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3864
THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #178
THE LIFE OF MOSES #159
MOSES AT MT.SINAI#58
THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES ( Part 17)
THE 12 GEMSTONES ANALYSED
"The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst."
(Revelation 21:19)
In the past century, it has been discovered that gems can be classified as either anisotropic or isotropic, and only recently have scientists discovered cross polarized light, which can be used to identify whether a gem is anisotropic or isotropic.
When viewed in crossed-polarised light (similar to “pure” light), anisotropic stones produce a colourful array- reflecting all the colours of the rainbow, whereas isotropic stones lose all of their colour and appear black.
It's interesting that, in Revelation chapter 21, there are 12 gems mentioned to be inlaid for decoration of the New Jerusalem, and ALL of these 12 gems are anisotropic gems, i.e., gems that can show colourful patterns under pure light.
The world prize precious stones like the diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald, while all other gemstones are considered inferior and hence are semi-precious.
As it turns out, some of them are isotropic i.e. when pure light passes through them, there is no beauty at all.
Keep in mind that there are a few assumptions being made here, i.e. the stones are a literal description of heaven (which I believe are) and that the light in heaven will be like “pure” light, which emanates through the gems.
Could it be possible that God, in choosing the stones for the foundation of the new temple, deliberately avoided stones that would lose their colour and instead chose stones that disperse light to produce brilliant rainbow effects?
"...and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald."
(Revelation 4:3)
We will know for sure whether such scientific researches are true once we are within the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem.
