Chalcedony

In Revelation 21:19 we read:

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald…(NKJV)

Although some translations render the third foundation to be agate rather chalcedony, we need not be troubled, for the former is a variety of the latter.

Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline, a type of quartz which is sometimes translucent and often white or brown, enjoying a peculiar, wax-like lustre. The reason for the mineral’s inclusion in the City is not obvious; although it can be nicely polished for jewellery, this is hardly unusual and other stones are considered finer. Some commentators speak of its symbolism for this or that, none of which seems to have any basis other than assertion.

Curiously, the word comes from the city of Chalcedon in what is now modern-day Turkey. In the year 451 AD, a council of over five hundred Christian leaders gathered there in order to deal with theological divergence and to formulate orthodoxy. The status of the Lord Jesus was clarified, the Council declaring that He is "perfect both in deity and in humanness; this self-same one is also actually God and actually man." This upset those who emphasised His humanity at the expense of divinity, as well as those who acknowledged His divinity but could not believe His authentic humanity. Ill-informed critics think that Chalcedon is where the doctrine of Christ’s deity was invented, but it was merely re-stated. The scriptures teach it, clearly (why else does the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society require its own, oft-revised version of the Bible, for instance?).

One of the foundations of New Jerusalem and of our Christ-purchased salvation through which alone we can gain access, is the Saviour’s right and proper deity and authentic humanity. Well might such a doctrine be associated with the city which lent its name to the third foundation of paradise itself.

Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." -John 8:58

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