The Pearl

In heaven, the streets are made of gold, the walls are made with precious stones and the twelve gates are each made with a single pearl.  No light is needed - neither sun, nor moon, nor any other light because it is filled with the glory of God and enlightened by Jesus' presence. It shines so brightly that it illumines all of heaven.  The river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.  The garden of Eden is restored as the Tree of Life and bears twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit on a monthly basis.  God will dwell with us and we will reign with Him. (Revelation 21 and 22)

The twelve gates of the New Jerusalem are often referred to as the Pearly Gates.  Symbolically, the gates represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve foundations represent the twelve disciples.  Christ in us represents the pearl. The unity between each of us and Jesus is what forms inside of us to ultimately produce that which is rare, unique, beautiful and valuable.  It cannot be carved like a diamond or an emerald; it can only be shaped by the Creator of the universe.  Without Jesus, we can never enter through heaven's pearly gates.

In the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, we find the parable of the treasure a man discovered in the field.  Verse 44 tells us that 'in his excitement, he sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field--and get the treasure too!'  The Old Testament provides the answer for what God considers to be His treasure.  In Exodus 19:5 God tells Israel that if they obey Him fully and keep His covenant, 'then out of all the nations you will be My treasured possession.'

So, of all the possible gemstones for God to select to represent His children, why did He choose the pearl?  Aside from being highly prized, pearls are the only gemstone produced by a  living being.  They are produced within the soft tissue (mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. When a microscopic object enters into the mantle's folds, it begins to form a pearl sac and then begins to deposit layers of nacre which eventually produces the pearl.

Pearls are both harvested and cultivated.  Romans 8:29-30 tells us that 'from the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him--and all along He knew who would--should become like His Son, so that His son would be the First, with many brothers. And, having chosen us, He called us to come to Him; and when we came, He declared us 'not guilty', filled us with Christ's goodness, gave us right standing with Himself, and promised us His glory.' Harvesting declares our justification and cultivation represents our sanctification.

There are many types of pearls.  The ones that are considered to be the most valuable, rare, fine, admirable and precious come from saltwater. They may look similar to freshwater pearls but they are definitely more valuable.  These pearls come from pearl oysters that live in the sea.  South sea pearls are the largest and most rare of the cultured pearls, which makes them worth the most.  These pearls are primarily prized for their exquisitely beautiful 'orient', or luster.

While pearls can be many colors (pink blue, champagne, green, black, purple, yellow, white and brown), their most important feature is that they have a metallic mirror-like luster.  The definition of luster is a 'reflected light of radiance and brilliance'. It exudes beauty, excellence, distinction, and glory.

Symbolically, the ocean or the sea represents the world and its troubles, changes, conflicts, and tumult.  People, in their natural state are like the fish in the sea.  When we accept Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, He guarantees our salvation through the gift of His Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5).  This begins the miracle of sanctification in our lives, or the formation of the Pearl within us.  

In the gospels, there are five miracles that occur at the sea: a catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11), calmed storm (Matthew 8:18, 22-27), walking on the water (Matthew 14:24-33), coin in the mouth of the fish (Matthew 17:24-27), and another catch of fish (John 21:1-14).  These miracles reveal to us that we are transformed so that we serve others.  The first catch of fish shows the disciples being called to a life of following Christ.  The second miracle shows us that we can walk in peace during the most fierce storm.  The third miracle of walking on the water shows us that faith is required in following Christ.  The fourth miracle shows that God will provide for us as we serve Him.  The last miracle shows us that we are all called to be fishers of men and evangelize the lost.  Not coincidentally, it was on the fifth day of Creation that God filled the waters with life.  The number five symbolized service for His kingdom.

As we learn to be imitators of Christ, we begin to reflect His radiance more and more.  Jesus provided us with the great exchange--treasure and inheritance for our empty treasure chest.  Our bodies then become containers of the treasure of a new heart to be filled with His glory.  In Isaiah 61:10, Isaiah expresses his joy by saying, "Let me tell you how happy God has made me!  For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and draped about me the robe of righteousness.  I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit, or a bride with her jewels."  

Imitators of Christ do what Jesus did.  In Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth....you are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."  We are to be just like the finest pearls that grow in salt water.  These pearls are extremely iridescent, and then are placed in a setting for all the world to admire.  There is no other salt, light, or authentic beauty in this world.  We decide daily whether or not to live out Jesus' mandate faithfully.

We need to remember that pearls grow gradually.  As we spend time with Him, and grow in His word, we will reflect His beauty more and more.  While it will never be possible for a fish to become a pearl, it is possible for us to daily die to self in order to produce one. In order to harvest the pearl, the mollusk must die.  

There is one more type of pearl we need to consider.  It constitutes the majority of 'pearls' that are sold today--that is, the manufactured, or counterfeit pearls.  A microscope is needed to distinguish imitation pearls because they have the appearance of authenticity.  If identification was necessary and no microscope was available, the authentic pearl may be identified by taking two of them and rubbing them together.  The gritty ones that feel like sandpaper are authentic.  The smooth ones are imitation.  (Perhaps in the church today, these would be known as the smooth talkers that do not speak the truth!)  We are to be imitators of Christ, not imitations.  

Lot was an example of a believer who failed God.  He had heard all the revelations of Abraham, but he did not respond to them in the way that he should have.  He led his family into Sodom but could not get them out again.  He escaped with only two of his daughters because when his wife disobeyed God, she was turned into a pillar of salt.  (This is not the kind of salt we want to emulate!)

What aspects of our lives, then, are pleasing to the Lord?  I believe that just as it is necessary to go diving for pearls, we must go deep in our understanding of God's will, God's ways, and God's Word.  Because we are living in perilous times, a superficial faith will no longer be sufficient.  A deep faith is required, as well as the understanding to honor God in the sight of others.  

Malachi says it like this: "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.  A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. 'They will be Mine', says the Lord Almighty, 'in the day when I make up My treasured possession.  I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.' And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."  (Malachi 3:16-17)

Like a pearl, the church is also a product of suffering.  Christ died for the church (Ephesians 5:25) and His suffering on the cross made possible her birth.  Ongoing repentance and faith in Christ is what shows us to be authentic.  As we see around the world today, this is not the most popular decision.  Despite opposition, we must continue to advance God's kingdom on this earth.  It is 'Christ in you, the hope of glory.' (Colossians 1:27)  

No matter how ugly things seem on this earth, we must remember: this is not our home.  Our God is a God of beauty.  One day, we will shine before all the world by the reflection of light illumined by our Lord.  The Fountain of Light will shine brightly through the iridescence He has worked in our lives.  Our sanctification will be made perfect and our justification will be eternally published.  Our new home will shine "with the glory of God and its brilliance and is like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal." (Revelation 21:11)