Revelation 21:22

But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

• ·        In the ancient world, it was unthinkable to have a great city without many different temples. It’s like saying today, “I saw a great city but I saw no bank in it” or “I saw a great city but I saw no shopping mall in it.” This city is marked by the fact that there is no temple in it.  (DG)

• ·        For the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple: Here, the temple is not removed, but expanded. Everything and every place is holy and the dwelling place of God.  (DG)

Psalm 11:4  The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.  

Psalm 27:4  One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.

Revelation 21:21

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl.  And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

• ·        Will that pearl door be propped open all the time or will we simply "pass" right through it no one knows for sure, but what a glorious sight!   (JB)

• ·        Without spending a lot of time on the different stones and such, I think it is important that in the city where our Father dwells, everything is "precious". . .even the "asphalt is gold!  (JB)

Psalm 24:7  Lift up your heads, O you gates!  And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!  And the King of glory shall come in.

Exodus 24:10  and they saw the God of Israel.  And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens even as clear glass.

Revelation 21:19-20

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones; the firs foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

• ·        Jasper . . . sapphire . . . chalcedony: The precise identification of these gemstones in modern terms is difficult, but the impression is of unending, staggering beauty. (DG)

• ·        “The symbolism is not meant to give the impression of wealth and luxury, but to point to the glory and holiness of God.” (Johnson)

Isaiah 54:11, 12  O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires.  I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones.