The Pearly Gates

The gates of the New Jerusalem
from Reveling Through Revelation pp. 101-102 by J. Vernon McGee

The names of the 12 tribes may be inscribed on the 12 gates, but the important feature is the material of construction. Each is a perfect pearl. This is the one jewel that sets forth the Church.

See Matt 13:45-46 The earl of great price.

The Church is the pearl of great price. The comparison of the formation of the Church to the formation of a pearl is striking and suggestive. The pearl is different from all other precious gems, for instead of coming from the earth, the pearl comes from the sea. Other stones are mined from the earth, found in rock and ore. They are taken out, cut, polished to reveal their beauty. But the pearl comes out of the sea, and it comes out of a living organism. A little grain of sand or some other particle begins to cut into the side of a living organism. To protect itself, the organism sends out a fluid to coat the object. Layer upon layer coats it until a beautiful pearl is formed.

The New Jerusalem is the home of the Church, and the gates of pearl are there to remind us throughout eternity that we were a little grain of sharp, dirty sand that was a hurt in the side of Christ. We were not attractive: we were in rebellion against God, walking according to the course of this world. But Christ took that ugly thing -- that was you -- and covered it with His righteousness. You and I are covered with Him. The beauty is not in the grain of sand, but in what the organism puts around it. God sees us in Christ, and He is lovely. The pearl was lightly esteemed by Israel, but was precious to the Gentiles. We have no value in ourselves, yet we are the pearl of great price. The price that is put upon a thing gives it its value. The price that He paid gives us value. Christ gave His life to get us, and to Him we are precious.