Some people would say I’ve got rocks in my head, probably with rock-solid reasons. There’s no end to my fascination with stones. Despite there being unnumbered practical uses for rocks, their real appeal is their striking colors and patterns, each telling a tale of origin. God gets all the credit, and collecting and appreciating stones is, in my mind, an activity bordering on worship.
Tonight Jack and I returned from several days in Chicago and couldn’t wait to get back to the beach. I biked, he ran, and we arrived an hour ahead of the sunset. At the water line we were greeted with the mother-lode of beach stones as far as the eye could see. Never without a plastic bag in my pocket (available for collection of dog-product or stones, whichever comes first), I dropped to my knees and began picking through the bounty. Speckled, black, pink, gold, fossil-imprinted, pearl-like, striped and flecked. What’s not to love?
While bagging rocks, I sometimes think of the biblical description of the New Heaven. Part of that description is a list of the different stones God will use to build it:
- sapphire
- emerald
- carnelian
- chrysolite
- beryl
- topaz
- amethyst
- jacinth
- chrysoprase
- jasper
- agate
- onyx
- pure gold, as clear as glass
After studying descriptions of each of these foundational stones, I realized the majority of them are “see-through.” As someone who is moved by the beauty of earthly rocks, I can’t imagine the thrill of gazing at a city with walls and foundations constructed from these precious stones. I don’t think I could even look at it without a bag to breathe into. That’s probably just one of the many reasons we can’t be transported to heaven without first being changed.
I fully believe the wonders of heaven will knock us flat, even before we get a glimpse of God the Father or Jesus the Son. After all, several biblical personalities were given a quick peek, and falling flat was exactly what happened to them.
When I think about the splendor of heaven, I wonder how much of it Nate has already been allowed to take in. And has he yet been permitted to look in the direction of God’s throne room? Revelation 4 describes this incredible scene in terms of stones, too: “The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones… and the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.”
While I’m waiting for the overall transformation necessary to witness this wonder (the same change Nate has already experienced through death), I’m content to hunt for striking beach stones that are, for now, as stunning as I can stand.
“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye…Those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
I share your love and facination of stones, Midge….I used to look at the rock formations and layers in Awe…or pick up a piece of rock and wonder about it…so many questions..what a creator- our God is.
I used to be that way with finding whole and perfect shells on the beaches we visited….how fun are the simple pleasures around us…so glad you can enjoy them too.
Don’t you just love all the gorgeous colors that our Creator God gave to us? I look at these stones, flower pedals, bird feathers, butterflies, sunset colors, etc, and am always so amazed at their beauty.
He is lavish! I’m fascinated with the beautiful things he has hidden from us to be revealed slowly over time….the inside of an abalone shell, the tiniest flowers, the gold and diamonds and other precious treasures deep inside the earth….and our latest glimpse – the stars and galaxies we see because of the Hubble. And to think that “eye hath not seen nor ear heard the things God has prepared for those who love Him”
I am with you on the intrigue of how stones are made. As I studied this process with our children in school, I could see how the various levels of elemental pressures transformed the rocks into precious stones making each one unique. I can’t help but think of how that pertains to our lives with God using the pressures in our lives to transform us into the precious jewel He already sees in us.
Hi Margaret,
My Bible study is just concluding a year long study of the big events and themes of the Bible, capped by the description of heaven in Revelation 21 and 22. Someone asked, why would the heavenly city have gates and a wall- what’s there to keep out? I have not consulted any commentaries, so these thoughts might be complete heresy, but my own thinking about the wall is that it is more memorial, like the Vietnam wall. Each of those 12 beautiful stones you listed, layered 18 feet apiece in that 216 foot tall wall , one for each of the 12 disciples (the amount of math in the Bible is unbelievable- the city is a perfect cube!). So, we know a lot about the work of Peter and John after Christ ascended. James was martyred quite quickly. A little bit is mentioned of Philip, but what about the rest- what is recorded? Nothing. They did the thing the Lord gave them to do in relative obscurity, much like most of us. Yet for all eternity, there is a dazzling layer of stone in each of their honor. How much does the Lord have stored up for each of us, who labor in obscurity, wondering if faithfulness and steadfastness to the task is worth it. You are right- our socks will be knocked off (oh wait, we won’t be wearing socks) by more than we can possibly imagine.
And then I thought about the gates- 12 of them, one for each of the tribes of Israel- a name written above each solid pearl gate. Every one of us who walks through does so under the name of Israel. So I think of those 12 men, with all of their faults and scandals, yet their names frame our entrance. We are sown in dishonor, raised in honor.
You will have your rocks on your head in heaven- they will be gems embedded in your crown.
Rock on!
Love,
Terry
Great thought! I too love rocks–I picked up one in Chicago last month that John thinks looks like moldy bread–I had it on the stove top so I moved it. 🙂 But I never thought about the gems of heaven being transparent–how beautiful it must be.