What does Revelation 21:18 mean?

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. Revelation 21:18

Explanation

Revelation 21:18 describes a portion of the vision received by John of Patmos in which the holy city, the New Jerusalem, is depicted in breathtakingly grand imagery. The verse states that the construction of the city’s wall was built of jasper, suggesting a precious gemstone, and that the city itself was made of pure gold, with the gold likened to the clarity of clear glass. This imagery serves two functions: It illustrates the majesty and purity of the heavenly realm and it symbolizes the divine glory and righteousness of God’s kingdom. The verse transcends a literal interpretation as it is part of an apocalyptic text filled with symbolism and allegory meant to convey hope and assurance to the early Christian community facing persecution.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written circa 95 AD when Christians faced severe persecution under the Roman Empire. John of Patmos, traditionally identified with John the Apostle, is credited with its authorship. The vision of a New Jerusalem served as a form of literary resistance, contrasting the Christian vision of the future with the present reality under Roman rule. The lavish description of the city with walls of jasper and streets of gold represented not only the unimaginable beauty but also the enduring and uncorrupted nature of the divine kingdom, as opposed to the ephemeral power of Rome.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse provides numerous insights into Christian eschatology. It portrays a new era in which God resides among his people in a transformed world. The materials mentioned—jasper and gold—are often associated with divine presence and kingship in the Bible. In this depiction, the value of these materials points to the ultimate value and perfection of the heavenly city. For different Christian denominations, the verse can either be interpreted literally, suggesting that the New Jerusalem will physically consist of such elements, or metaphorically, indicating the unimaginable splendor and purity of God’s eternal kingdom.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of Revelation 21:18 in daily life include inspiring believers to aspire to the ideals represented by the New Jerusalem—such as purity, righteousness, and divine beauty—in their own lives. The text encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, with the assurance that earthly trials are temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits. In addition, by recognizing the symbolic richness of heavenly materials like gold and jasper, individuals are reminded to seek spiritual wealth and fortitude, rather than being preoccupied by material gain.

Cross-References

• Revelation 21:11 – “Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;”
• Revelation 21:21 – “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”
• Isaiah 54:11-12 – “O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.”
• Revelation 4:3 – “And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”

Language Study

In the original Koine Greek text, the word for “jasper” is ἴασπις (iaspis), which refers to a precious stone that may not align with modern jasper but is often considered similar to a diamond in antiquity. “Gold” is translated from the Greek word χρυσίον (chrysion), implying refined gold of the highest quality. Another key word is “pure” from καθαρός (katharos), indicating not just physical purity but also moral and ceremonial cleanliness. The word “clear” translates from καθαρα (kathara), a form of the same root, intensifying the concept of purity and translucence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The portrayal of a city with precious materials is not unique to Christianity. For instance, in ancient Mesopotamian religion, the abode of the gods was described with similar luxurious features, and gold was believed to be abundant in the mythical Enuma Elish. In the Greek tradition, the legendary city of Atlantis was said to be adorned with gold, silver, and other precious materials. These cultural parallels suggest a common human fascination with the use of precious materials to represent transcendent or divine realms, underscoring the ultimate aspirations of human societies.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the description of a city made of pure gold and clear as glass challenges our understanding of material properties. Gold is an opaque metal, and making it clear like glass would require a change in its atomic structure, which defies known physical laws. Moreover, the size and scale of such a city built with the materials described would be an engineering marvel, if not impossibility, but such descriptions aren’t necessarily meant to align with scientific principles, instead serving as metaphors for purity and divinity.

Commentaries

Commentators on the Book of Revelation provide various interpretations of this verse. Some, like Matthew Henry, approach the description symbolically, suggesting the precious materials signify the pure and perfect state of the church. Others may point out the contrast between this heavenly city and earthly cities, emphasizing the transcendence of God’s kingdom over temporal human institutions. The use of such imagery is also often seen as a literary device intended to evoke a sense of awe and wonder at the glory of God, rather than a blueprint for an actual city. Contemporary biblical scholarship sees it as a powerful metaphor for the hope of salvation and vindication that John intended to instill in his fellow believers.