A Sure Foundation

The best-known structural failure in history is likely the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Italian tower was built on dense clay with construction delays due to wars. Five years after completion, the building started to reach its famous lean. Remedial work has since reduced the tilt from 5.5 degrees to 3.97 degrees.

Solid foundations were important in the Bible. The beginning of construction on Solomon’s temple was noted by the laying of its foundation (1 Kings 6:37). These were not small footings; “the king commanded them to quarry large stones, costly stones, and hewn stones, to lay the foundation of the temple” (5:17). How fitting for Solomon to speak of a whirlwind destroying the wicked, “but the righteous [have] an everlasting foundation” (Proverbs 10:25).

The Greek word for foundation, themelios, used in reference to the gems in today’s verse, is believed to mostly be figurative. Jesus taught that hearing and obeying His words is comparable to “a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock” (Luke 6:48).

The apostle Paul spoke of God’s people, “the saints and members of the household of God,” as “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19, 20). Certainly, the message in today’s text is more than an architectural description.

Sardonyx is probably a reddish-brown onyx stone. Sardius is believed to be a red gem. Chrysolite literally means a “golden stone” but is difficult to identify today. Beryl is likely a sea-green gem. Topaz seems to be a transparent yellow stone used to make seals. Chrysoprase is possibly an apple-green transparent gem. Jacinth is probably a purple gem, possibly sapphire; amethyst is also likely purple. Now just imagine those beautiful colors sparkling in the foundation of the New Jerusalem. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard … the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

The surest foundation ever made is beneath the New Jerusalem, which rests on God’s Word. Nothing will ever shake the city. No buildings will ever topple—or even lean—over.

Father in heaven, I rest my faith on Your Word, in the Old and New Testament Scriptures, a safe and sure foundation.

For Further Study: Isaiah 54:11; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Hebrews 6:1, 2

Key Bible Texts

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. (Revelation 21:20 KJV)