Astronomers say that the heavy metals in the periodic table of the elements (gold, platinum, uranium) were formed under tremendous pressure in the depths of giant stars in the far reaches of the universe. They were scattered as far as our solar system by the explosion of those stars and became part of our earth. Here they are rare, precious gifts from God.

Streets of gold! Gates made from single pearls! Unfathomable riches! Imagine if your front door was made from a slice of one huge pearl!

Everything about the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, speaks to the riches of the plan of salvation and the glory of God. There are twelve gates, by which the nations of the earth can stream in from all directions to their eternal blessing. There is no temple in the city “because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” And by God’s great salvation, people from all nations will be able to bring their splendor and glory and honor, all that God has blessed and purified in Christ, into this ultimate Holy City of God, which is also called the Bride of the Lamb.

Though we can’t fully wrap our minds around these descriptions, we can be sure that the reality will be far more wonderful than words could describe and we could imagine.