Gates Of Pearl

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.

Revelation 21:21

Many times while studying prophecy it is easy to notice the bad or negative message while ignoring the good.  My mom used to remind me of this tendency by using the animals on the ark as an example.  If asked most people will say that the animals went 2 by 2 on to the ark.  This answer ignores the 7 clean animals and only focuses on the 2 by 2 unclean animals.  In the same way we often hear people speak of the last days as just that--the last days.  Don't we often think of the "last days" as the end of the world?  It is not an end at all.  When Jesus returns it will be a new beginning.  All things will be made new and righteousness and holiness will be the order of the day.  Longevity of life will be restored and all men, women, and children will see Christ ruling from His capital city of Jerusalem.


After the millennial reign there will be a brief evil interlude followed by the makings of a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells purity forever.  The New Jerusalem will be seen and be the abode of the saints.  The city will have twelve layers in the walls and twelve gates.  Each layer and each gate will be named for an Israeli tribe and an apostle respectively. Each gate will be made of a pearl.  Why a pearl?


Pearls are formed when an irritant gets between the soft tissue of an oyster and its shell.  As a defense mechanism the Almighty Creator programmed the creature to produce a substance called nacre that surrounds the irritating substance.  In time the buildup of this material forms a protective barrier around the sand, and it is a visible reminder of the pain that once inflicted the oyster.


In the same way, those gates will be a constant reminder to the saints entering and exiting that city of Messiah Jesus' sacrificial death at the cross.  The cross produced grace that surrounded the life of each believer and created something new from what once was an irritant to God's holiness.  I am sure that with each step in and out of those gates by every blood washed saint will erupt with a loud shout of praise to the one and only Savior that gave us complete access to the presence of God.  Let's start now as we consider the power of the cross and the grace that surrounds each one of us--HALLELUJAH!!!!!

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Revelation 21:5

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