Revelation 21:11 describes the appearance of the New Jerusalem, the holy city descending from heaven. Let's break down the meaning of each part of the verse:
"having the glory of God": This indicates that the city is radiant and reflects the divine presence and power. The glory of God is often associated with light and splendor. It suggests that the city is filled with God's presence and character.
"Her light was like a most precious stone": This emphasizes the extraordinary brilliance and beauty of the city. Instead of directly saying it's like light from the sun, the comparison to a precious stone suggests a filtered, refined, and concentrated form of light. This aligns with the idea of divine purity and perfection.
"as if it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal": This specifies the type of precious stone. While Jasper today can be opaque and multicolored, some believe the Jasper in biblical times might have been more like a diamond or a very clear and brilliant stone.
"clear as crystal" is the key point here. It highlights the city's transparency, purity, and flawlessness. Unlike opaque jasper, the description emphasizes a crystalline clarity. This suggests that everything within the city is pure, without deceit or hiddenness. It implies that one can see through it, representing honesty and openness.
Overall Meaning:
The verse describes the New Jerusalem as a city that is filled with God's glory, radiating a light that is beautiful, precious, and pure. The comparison to a clear jasper stone emphasizes the city's transparency, flawless beauty, and divine origin. It suggests a place where God's presence is fully revealed and where everything is pure, open, and radiant. The imagery paints a picture of perfection, divine beauty, and the unhindered presence of God.
Revelation 21:11 describes the appearance of the New Jerusalem, the holy city descending from heaven. Let's break down the meaning of each part of the verse:
"having the glory of God": This indicates that the city is radiant and reflects the divine presence and power. The glory of God is often associated with light and splendor. It suggests that the city is filled with God's presence and character.
"Her light was like a most precious stone": This emphasizes the extraordinary brilliance and beauty of the city. Instead of directly saying it's like light from the sun, the comparison to a precious stone suggests a filtered, refined, and concentrated form of light. This aligns with the idea of divine purity and perfection.
"as if it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal": This specifies the type of precious stone. While Jasper today can be opaque and multicolored, some believe the Jasper in biblical times might have been more like a diamond or a very clear and brilliant stone.
"clear as crystal" is the key point here. It highlights the city's transparency, purity, and flawlessness. Unlike opaque jasper, the description emphasizes a crystalline clarity. This suggests that everything within the city is pure, without deceit or hiddenness. It implies that one can see through it, representing honesty and openness.
Overall Meaning:
The verse describes the New Jerusalem as a city that is filled with God's glory, radiating a light that is beautiful, precious, and pure. The comparison to a clear jasper stone emphasizes the city's transparency, flawless beauty, and divine origin. It suggests a place where God's presence is fully revealed and where everything is pure, open, and radiant. The imagery paints a picture of perfection, divine beauty, and the unhindered presence of God.