The wall of the city beyond time (Revelation 21:13-20) was of jasper, the city itself was pure gold and its streets were translucent gold. The foundations were precious jewels, sapphires, rubies, emeralds etc. There were 12 gates (Revelation 21:13) and each gate was (Revelation 21:16) about 1500 miles high and each gate was (Revelation 21:21) one solid pearl.
What is the difference between jewels and pearls? Jewels are stones but pearls are the result of suffering. Beauty is born in suffering.
When a grain of sand or some foreign object gets into an oyster, it cuts and hurts painfully. Then the oyster discharges a soothing balm which envelops the painful intruder and gradually forms a pearl. The heart of the pearl is the wound which is now covered and can do no more damage.
Without the suffering of Jesus in Gethsemane and on the Cross of Calvary, we could never enter the city through the gates of pearl.
What is the soothing balm that we can apply to develop pearls in our lives by the things that cause us to suffer? It is the amazing, sustaining, unfailing Grace of God. The beauty of Jesus is revealed in our suffering if we suffer according to the will of God. If we have a godly and accepting attitude toward God’s purpose in everything He sends or allows in our lives. We know that the Lord has a beneficial purpose for us in everything He does in our lives including times of suffering.
Am I bitterly complaining about my pain and handicap – OR –am I applying the soothing balm of God’s Grace and producing pearls?
When the Holy Spirit is in control, our lights are on, we have insight, discernment and understanding