“The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. ”
Twelve colourful stone foundations for the walls of the New Jerusalem—detail of painting by Joan C. Thomson
Progress! All the gem colour “stripes” for the wall foundations in the New Jerusalem (in my painting series) along with their gold “mortar” are painted. I’m struck with how contemporary the colours look. Gorgeous! Imagine the light of the glory of God shining through the stones and reflecting off them.
I’ve also painted the detail of the bits of “gold” (pyrite) on the lapis lazuli or “sapphire” foundation. Looking at pictures of the various stones on the internet was helpful but better still, is seeing the real stones. I was pleased to find three of the stones at our local German Christmas Market: chrysoprase, carnelian and lapis.
Chrysoprase, carnelian and lapis lazuli—three of the stones in the wall foundations of the New Jerusalem.
Jasper, according to Pliny the Elder—a first century historian, was green. Sapphire was the name for lapis lazuli though the other stones seem to have kept their names. There are different versions of the stones on the internet—and in various Bible translations, but I’ve tried to stick close to the literal Greek words and their meanings (biblehub.com).
Faceting of gemstones didn’t begin until much later, so it’s likely that the Apostle John saw smooth, highly polished stones.
With this series of paintings, I’m hoping to provide a glimpse into what this heaven-coming-to-earth looks like but even the best image falls short of seeing the real thing in person. The New Jerusalem is the place that Jesus has prepared for those who follow him—believing is seeing.
The next stage in this painting will be to add the names of the apostles—one on each foundation colour, in gold leaf.
““Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”