Golden Light

Notes from the Study


The new Jerusalem is described in the book of revelation.

16 The city lies foursquare, . . . 18 The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass. Revelation 21:16–21 (NRSV)

Waking up early in these brisk Autumn mornings is truly a blessing. In its rising the sun blazes across the horizon flooding the still sleeping earth with cool, bright light. The remaining leaves on the trees catch the rays of light and filter them, but they can’t take away the golden color of the of first light.

This morning as I looked out the window the description of the New Jerusalem came to my mind. The light filling the air could have been reflecting off the “golden street” described for us in Revelation 21.

Of course the Golden Street as well as the bejeweled gates are metaphors. But reflecting on the golden light renewed my faith that after the deep darkness of the night God brings forth a new, golden day for the earth, for each of us, and for the church.

Sometimes we are tempted to look back at the “golden days” of our past and long for life to return us there–to that day of promise and plenty. But God does not want us to go back. God leads us steadily onward, day by day, from still waters and green pastures into a newer, brighter, “golden age.”

God will not force us to take one step forward, but the Lord is ahead of us, calling to us to follow.

Almighty and gentle shepherd prepare us for the journey ahead into the golden light of a new day. Help us to move beyond the darkness that sometimes threatens to swallow us whole. Open our eyes to the work you have for us and fill us with faith and hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.