Field of Diamonds
By Shauna Leis
“The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city 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. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.”
Revelation 21:18-21
We had been through a week of trials with all of the snow and ice. Our electricity went out, and we toughed it out in the house for three days before deciding that the kids really needed a hot bath. So we headed to the grandparents’ house an hour away in search of electricity and hot water. There were so many inconveniences about the situation: trying to keep our food from spoiling while we were gone and the power was out, trying to keep the fish from freezing in the house while we were gone, and running the gas logs just to keep the pipes unthawed a few hours a day. But, thankfully we were all safe and had really enjoyed a few days off to play with the kids in the snow and ice (By the way, sledding on ice is really exciting as those sleds just zip down the hills!).
After a hot shower and fixing my hair for the first time in three days, my husband and I headed back home to check on the animals and heat up the house again for a few hours while the kids stayed and played with the grandparents. We were driving back on the interstate, and I was just sitting there watching the scenery flash by when the sun popped out from behind the clouds. Now, normally I am doing three or four different things while my husband is driving so I do not usually notice anything about the drive except when it is over. However, for some reason on this drive, I happened to just be looking at the trees and fields as we passed them. With 1-1.5 inches of ice on everything, the sun breaking loose from the clouds caused a shining across the fields and trees that was absolutely breath-taking.
Sparkles of light just shimmered through the branches of the trees, and the blades of grass in the fields danced in the sun. I thanked God right then and there for showing me so much beauty in the midst of so much devastation. The grass in the fields looked like you could walk up to the blades and shovel huge carets of diamonds, and the trees reflected the greens and browns to mimic emeralds and topazes.
At that moment, I truly felt God whisper into my soul, “This is just a very small taste of what heaven will be like, My child.” Oh, how my soul leaped to hear those words, and I will be honest that I was praying for the rapture right then and there so I could actually see it in person! I longed to be in heaven with Him where the streets are paved with gold, and the gates are made from pearl. Read the passage in Revelation at the start again, and just try to visualize what that must look like! Can you just imagine that the foundation of heaven was literally formed from precious jewels? No matter the beauty that I saw in that moment here on earth, there is no way that it could possibly compare to the home of the Almighty God and Creator of the universe.
And that is not all. Not only does heaven just glimmer with the iridescence of a city made by precious gems, God is the light. There is no need for a sun or a lamp or a lantern. God is the light of heaven that makes the gems just sparkle with their radiance. Revelation 21:23 says, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Unlike here on earth, there are never any clouds in heaven – no ice storms, no snow, and no cold – there is only light.
So, how does one guarantee that you will experience this glory, this Ultimate Light of the Universe? How do you get to see the foundations of jewels and the streets of gold? There is only one way. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus did not mince words here, my precious friend. He did not say, “Well, you know that there are multiple ways to get there. I am just one way.” NO! He clearly stated that He is the only way to get into heaven and bask in the glory of God the Father. To get to the Father, one must know the Son.
Pray with me: God Almighty, thank You for just a little taste of what heaven must be like as we read Your words in Revelation. Your creation here of earth is breath-taking at times, but only our imaginations can prepare us for what heaven must be like. Lord, we know that You did not mince any words here and that there is only one way to the Father, and that is through Jesus the Son. Show us the way, the truth, and the life in Jesus. God, we love You so very much, and pray all of this in the name above all names, Jesus Christ! Amen.
Follow Up: Dear friend, do you know Him today? Do you know of Him? Have you heard about this God and this Jesus, but you really want to get to know Him more deeply and more intimately? If you want to know Him today, email us at info@christcompels.com? We would love to go with you on this journey into a new life with the Father and the Son!