About those precious stones...

What significance are the twelve different stones that make up the foundation of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:19-20? In case you were wondering...

First of all, there are twelve. Remember, twelve is the number of God's people.

But as to the stones themselves... see Exodus 28:15-21. In that passage, God commands Moses to make a very special breastpiece for the High Priest of the people. That breastpiece has 12 stones - in 4 rows of 3. Each one represents one of the 12 tribes of Israel -- the number of God's people is complete.

I think this also reflects that God loves our diversity -- He created it! Then he gathers that diversity into 1 breastpiece, into 1 Ultimate Community, into 1 holy people that finds its UNITY as priests and kings -- in the worship of the One True God!

Very exciting.

(The stone in the picture is a carnelian, one of the 12 John sees...)