Each new day (studying Revelation 21) has brought me further delight, particularly on the subject of our eternal Home! This single chapter of Scripture has made me a possessor of more love for Heaven (the New Heaven) and that City called Glory (New Jerusalem) than I have ever experienced, in all my Christian life!

Today’s verse poses no exception, either!

“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.” Word for word, King James Version, Revelation 21:21, with only 6 more verses remaining in the chapter. In fact, I’ve just decided we might add the first five verses of chapter 22, still about the City!

Each “gate” is a whole “pearl.” The adjective “several” is spelled “eis,” pronounced “heiss,” and meaning “one.” A single unit, not two or three.

Big pearls, I’d say!

The original for “pearl” is “margarites.” This word is only used 9 times in the whole Bible, each time translated exactly as here, “pearl.” Two times in one of Jesus’ Parables, once in His Preaching, once by Paul (teaching ladies how to adorn themselves), and then five more times by John in the Revelation.

Why a “pearl,” the gates? Maybe because it is produced by suffering, in the side of a little oyster! Maybe because of its sheer beauty, luminescence! Maybe because of its priceless value! Beauty out of pain, sounds like Calvary, doesn’t it?  And oh yes, a pearl requires the death of its little host oyster!

Wow!

Surely, we will never enter one of those gates (12 of them, recall) without pondering the Death of the One Who loved us so! Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus teaching, read both verses! “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

What a cost, our redemption!

Next … our verse tell us another fact about the Street of the City. It’s made of “pure gold.” Do note the word is singular, “street!” Watch: “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.” One long street!

And the noun “street” is “plateia,” derived from an adjective, “platus,” meaning “broad,” wide! In turn “platus” is related to the verb “plasso,” meaning “to form, to mold” something. A street that has been intricately designed by a Creator! This is amazing!

Then verse 21 shares a final clause telling us of the general appearance of the (only) street in the City. “Transparent” glass, “diaphanes,” anything with the property of “letting light shine through it!” Actually, ”translucent” is the English word. Not opaque. Radiant!

This Place sounds more and more beautiful with each passing fact!

I can hardly wait until our next Lesson, the next verse!

First thing Monday morning.

I no longer write a lesson on Sunday mornings. I always preached 2 or 3 times on the Lord’s Day. And I need the early morning rest. Plus, I am meditating on the Day’s Text as well.

Pray for us.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell