The 12 Foundation Stones in New Jerusalem

https://www.christianevidence.net ^ | September 21, 2018 | Joel

[Jonty30]

“The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:19)

Anisotropic vs. Isotropic Gems In the past century, scientists have discovered that gems can be classified as either anisotropic or isotropic, and only recently they have found that cross-polarized light can be used to identify whether a gem is anisotropic or isotropic. Anisotropic stones produce a colorful array when viewed in crossed-polarized light (similar to “pure” light), reflecting all the colors of the rainbow, whereas isotropic stones lose all of their color and appear black.

An intriguing observation regarding Revelation chapter 21 is that all 12 of the gems mentioned for adorning the New Jerusalem are anisotropic gems...

Interestingly, diamond, rubies, and garnets are not mentioned, despite the fact that these groups of gems are very, very common. For instance, the precious stones are generally considered to be diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald, with all other gemstones being semi-precious. It turns out that they are isotropic, and when pure light passes through them, there is no beauty at all...

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Education; Religion; Society
KEYWORDS: gem; god; light; precious

[Jonty30]

Basically, as I understand it, anisotropic gems will shine with a different effect, depending on how you are angled to the gem in question.

So, depending on how you are looking at the walls of New Jerusalem, you will see something different with each gemstone. It will lighten and darken and shine in different colours and all sorts of stuff.

[Jonty30]

https://www.christianevidence.net/2018/09/the-12-foundation-stones-in-new.html

[Jonty30]

The odds of having chosen 12 anisotropic stones at random, of all known gemstones, was about 1/16,000. This gives evidence that the information came from God.

[AZJeep]

In the time of Revelation, they lacked the skills of precisely cutting the gemstones, especially the hard ones like diamond.
So gemstones were mostly just polished and used in their natural shapes (more-less).
The isotropic gemstones really need the cutting, and faceting to became beautiful, so they were not particularly valuable then.

[Jonty30]

Isotropic gems can look beautiful, when they are cut right. However, they are dead when the lights shines against their grain.

Whereas anisotropic look beautiful from any angle. The point of the article is that the gems stones chosen from all possible gemstones were the kind to look beautiful from all angles.

It’s only 1/16,000, or so, that the right gemstones could be chosen for this randomly.

[mistfree]

Who wrote this article? It says that the fourth stone was emerald then it says they’re ALL anisotropic then it says and I quote “ emerald, with all other gemstones being semi-precious. It turns out that they are isotropic, “

[Jonty30]

From Grok:

All twelve gemstones are anisotropic, meaning they reflect vibrant, rainbow-like colors under cross-polarized light, a property not scientifically understood until the 19th century. This has led some to argue that their selection reflects divine inspiration, as the stones’ ability to disperse light aligns with the imagery of God’s throne surrounded by a rainbow (Revelation 4:3). The omission of common isotropic gems like diamonds or rubies, which appear dull under pure light, further suggests intentional selection for their light-refracting qualities, symbolizing the radiant truth of God.

While under a pure light, the diamonds don’t reflect.

[Jonty30]

I see what you are saying. Editing failed, obviously.

[Jonty30]

Emerald is Anisotropic.

[2Dreamin]

There is a great evangelistic sermon in these statements. Love’s Pure Light being a reflection of His Love and work in a faithful believers life. The isotropic gems are dull in pure light. Statement that anything the world values is counterfeit compared to Jesus and His perfect Light. Let there be Light.

[Patriot777]

Amen!🙏

[metmom]

That makes some of the passages in Scripture make more sense.

That’s a fascinating bit of information.

Thanks for posting it.

[metmom]

Excellent.

Thank you.

[Openurmind]

“I see what you are saying. Editing failed, obviously.”

Yeah, good catch. It had me scratching my head too. Bet this is AI generated. And this kind of false reality is what we have to look forward to.

Cool post Jonty. I am into rockhounding and Gemstones and find it interesting.

[dangus]

Uh, no.

1) Diamonds, rubies and sapphires are all the basis of metaphors for extreme value in the bible

2) Diamonds, rubies and sapphires were all too hard to be cut, true, but emeralds were not.

3) While they were too hard to be cut, it was well known from nature that they COULD be cut, which would seem to make the notion of cut precious gems all the more miraculous.

[telescope115]

What a beautiful analysis! Not knowing all that much about gemstones, I never knew there WAS anisotropic and isotropic qualities to gemstones. I’ve read Revelation and remember the description of the New Jerusalem, and WOW, that’s amazing. It makes me smile, for sure.

[Jonty30]

You’ll always be looking at the walls in a new way, because the light will be shining through a different way each time.

[telescope115]

Indeed.

[telescope115]

The description of the New Jerusalem in St. John’s dream, in my mind’s eye was already stunning. This only adds another layer of wonder!

[delchiante]

Those foundations are to be named after 12 Apostles of the Lamb.

Does that mean Judas gets his name up there even after betraying the Light?

Or is Matthias the 12th because of the casting of lots?

Or is Paul because he was a chosen vessel?

Or is there a future 12?

If there is a future 12, they will probably not be looked at as more valuable than other stones, but the Light that shines through might be unmistakably brighter than any living stones that walked the earth the last 2,000 years.