tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73191526674248040292024-03-05T01:26:56.617-06:00Jewelry, Gems, & JesusAll about how I get to see Jesus in my day to day work as a retail jewelry designer, manufacturer, and repairman.Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-42955350875253775682010-10-15T03:13:00.015-05:002010-11-09T15:01:11.073-06:00Opal - Making All Things New<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Opal is one of the birthstones for the month of October, the other being Pink Tourmaline. Opal is most often finished with a rounded top, known as cabochon. Pink tourmaline is almost always faceted, but is also cut '</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">en cabochon'</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> as well.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The name Opal was probably derived from Sanskrit “upala“, meaning ”valuable stone“. This was probably the root for the Greek term “opallios”, which translates as “color change”. In the days of Roman antiquity there existed a so-called “opalus”, or a “stone from several elements”. Opal’s color play emanates a very special attraction and fascination. But what causes this phenomenon? This question was impossible to answer for a very long time. Only when in the 1960s a team of Australian scientists analyzed Opals with an electron microscope, it was discovered that small spheres from silica gel caused interference and refraction manifestations, which are responsible for the fantastic play of colors. The spheres, which are arranged in more or less compact structures, succeed in dissecting the light on its passage through the gemstone and turning it into all the colors of the rainbow, always new and always different</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Always new...those words remi</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">nd me of Jesus for two reasons.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we become a new creation, a new work. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"</span> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(KJV)</span> </span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And Revelation 21:5</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, "</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(KJV) </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUQ79PtrDvVd-ZxujE2Ra7lGQnu_3cAlFs4MBfpuHOzWKX_cHf4eA-k8SDKay8iyqcgzyBFxBwY396ZEky9eR7ytM9zlHET1ZTeF7Ri9QuaLEuwGefKuGxrpUkvu75Zc_kg2hhOwNz2hT/s320/Stones_Opal2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526810723295514098" /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Like so many colors of light that come out of Opal, Jesus is the Light that shines healing on so many troubles, makes a difference, and makes all things new.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST: </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Agate & Chalcedony </span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">are presented in twelve monthly installments and will explore the similarities between the stones in the ephod (breastplate) of Aaron and the stones of the New Jerusalem, and their relation to Jesus.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-60647048608829446082010-09-30T03:12:00.007-05:002010-10-11T10:24:03.056-05:00The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Sapphire<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September. Sapphire was the second stone in the second row of the Breastplate of Aaron mentioned in Exodus Chapter 28 and represented the Tribe of Simeon, and will decorate the second foundation of the New Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation 21 and represent the Apostle Andrew. </span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In Scripture the number two is the number of, and represents, division or double-portion. In the context of this paragraph it represents division. Chapter 34 of Genesis tells the story of the defilement of Dinah, sister of Simeon and Levi (brothers, and sons of Jacob) and their reaction to the incident which ended in the killing of all the males in the city of Shechem. This mass killing came after Simeon and Levi's father Jacob (a.k.a. Israel) had tried to seek justice by requiring the males of Shechem to be circumcised, to which they agreed, only to be killed three days later at the hands and swords of Simeon, Levi, and other sons of Jacob. They also plundered the entire city of anything of value. Upon hearing the news of the killings, Jacob became ashamed, fearful for his life and left that land. This abbreviated history is important to understand when you come to Genesis Chapter 49 when Jacob (now named Israel) calls his sons together to tell them what will happen in days to come. Israel said, "</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; And their wrath, for it was cruel: I will </span></span></span></i><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">divide</span></span></span></i></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel"ASV (</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">referring to their killing spree in Shechem)</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sapphire's 'second in the second row' (2 of 2) representation for the Tribe of Simeon certainly testifies to Simeon's separation or division from the counsel of his father, although not disinherited entirely. The Tribe of Levi was set apart (divided from the nation of Israel in Deuteronomy 10:8-9) by God Himself, to forever be servants of the Temple and have no inheritance with their brethren. The brothers were divided from both their father and from each other. So the significance of Sapphire's representing Simeon seems to have more to do with it's placement (2 of 2, divided from his father Israel and divided from his brother Levi) than any property of the gem itself.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'gill Sans MT';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the context of this paragraph the number 2 will represent double (increased) portion. Sapphire will also represent the Apostle Andrew in the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">second</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> foundation of the New Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation 21. The blue color of Sapphire can remind us of Andrew (and his brother Peter) in that these first</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> two</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> disciples of Jesus were called from being fishermen of the sea to become "</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">fishers of men</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">" (Matthew 4:18). The first thing Andrew did after meeting Jesus was run and find his brother Simon Peter and bring him to Jesus. It was Andrew who brought the boy with five barley loaves and </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">two</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> fish to Jesus, which Jesus miraculously multiplies into enough food to feed everyone (John 6:8-9). Andrew is most often seen physically bringing people to Jesus. Because of these acts, the numbers of believers was increased as Jesus was glorified. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I believe the thing to remember about this post is that Jesus is the author of forgiveness and redemption. In the case of Simeon, Jesus purposed that Simeon would see repercussions of his own actions, yet in forgiveness, not be disinherited completely. Levi was set apart by God Himself to forever serve others and participate in their own redemption, putting sword to sacrifices instead of men.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the case of Andrew, many came to know the greatest Love ever to be shown to mankind in the person of Jesus Christ. The blue color of sapphire (representing the Apostle Andrew in the 2nd foundation of the New Jerusalem), is linked to emotions such as sympathy and harmony, friendship and loyalty, emotions with features described as permanent, reliable, composed, and yielding mutual understanding and unshakeable trust. These are qualities that will forever represent the apostle Andrew and his relationship to Jesus Christ, The King of the New Jerusalem. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'gill Sans MT';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST: </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Opal - Making All Things New</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-66985456355358764762010-09-18T23:22:00.000-05:002010-09-18T23:28:01.912-05:00Sapphire - Color and Emotions<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sapphire is the official birthstone for the month of September as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sapphire is the non-red variety of corundum (the red variety of corundum is ruby). At 9.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphire is the second hardest natural mineral.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Blue is by far the most popular color for sapphires, but they can be almost any color, including yellow, green, white, colorless, pink, orange, brown, and purple. Padparadscha is the name for a rare orange-pink variety of sapphire and has a higher value than blue sapphires.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The wonderful Kashmir sapphires, which were found in 1880 after an avalanche had come down in a height of 5000 m, and which were intensively mined then for eight years, have for all times set the standard for our ideas of the color of a top quality sapphire. </span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Blue is also the favorite color of about 50 per cent of the population, men and women alike. This color, which is strongly associated with sapphire, is also linked to emotions such as sympathy and harmony, friendship and loyalty. These emotions belong to features which are permanent and reliable – emotions where overwhelming and fiery passion is not the main element, but rather composure, mutual understanding and unshakeable trust. Sapphire blue has thus become a color related to anything permanent and reliable, and this is one of the reasons why women in many countries settle on Sapphire for their engagement rings. Sapphire symbolizes loyalty and faithfulness, while at the sa</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">me time expressing love and yearning.</span></span></span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoUUrHg3NzqSnonZLMEZQ-Q1Sk5vxFYJeC-q82p2st76V81wZ74LDXwYHHDTZCr1VmTwTMJDBTzeUaLG5axVYvEH4m_A4yJDqPpF9mo68VAsU9TP-HNRjMhq1vhqwIYKCgVaLTCcMlp_g/s320/Sapphire-017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511636573220331842" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sympathy, harmony, friendship, loyalty, faithfulness, competence, love. Do these words remind you of anything, or perhaps anyone? They sure remind me of Jesus. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jesus is most certainly sympathetic, and brings harmony to even a raging sea with just the sound of His voice (Mark 4:37-39). He wants to be our friend, and is loyal and faithful to that end, even unto His own suffering, and why? Because He loves us (John 3:16). And His love is both permanent and reliable.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">*</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Sapphire</span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">are presented in twelve monthly installments and will explore the similarities between the stones in the ephod (breastplate) of Aaron and the stones of the New Jerusalem, and their relation to Jesus.</span></span></span></span></b></span></div></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-72869661527800594292010-08-15T03:11:00.004-05:002010-08-23T06:35:50.227-05:00The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Chrysolite<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's notable that the exact identity of a few stones mentioned in Exodus 28 and Revelation 21 are uncertain and differ from translation to translation. Since many of the stones are now contemporary birthstones, I will highlight them in the months in which they correspond, not necessarily in the order they are mentioned in scripture.</span></span></i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Chrysolite is known among the gems by different names. According to its color, chrysolite is called peridot when of a deep olive-green, olivine when of a yellowish-green, and chrysolite when of a lighter or golden-yellow color. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The name chrysolite means gold stone. </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Chrysolite was the first stone in the fourth (last) row, making it a cornerstone in the (Ephod) Breastplate of Aaron, and represented the tribe of Dan. The tribe of Dan is mentioned seldom in the Bible, but there is a couple of curious UN-mentions. Although originally mentioned as the one of the largest tribes (second largest) in the second census in the Book of Numbers Chapter 26, </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Dan is excluded from the list of tribes in I Chronicles Chapters 1-9 and again in Revelation 7. P</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">erhaps, it is judicial punishment because of their early and almost total fall into idolatry, as in fact it became</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> a seat of idolatry in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. </span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Chrysolite will also decorate the 7th foundation of the New Jerusalem and represent the apostle Thomas. Although Thomas is not mentioned much in other Gospels, the book of John records some crucial accounts of the personality and character of Thomas (John 11:16, John 14:5). But more especially Thomas is remembered for his doubt when the other Apostles announced Christ's Resurrection to him: "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25); but eight days later he made his act of faith, drawing down the remark of Jesus: "Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed" (John 20:29).</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">As we look at Chrysolite's position in both the Ephod and the Foundation we see the numbers</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> 1</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> (first in the row and cornerstone, the number "one" in Scripture as symbolic of the First Person of the Most Holy Trinity, God the Father) & </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">4</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> (fourth row, the number "four" representing God's creative works, particularly the earth) in the Ephod and the number </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">7</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> (the number of spiritual perfection and completeness) in the foundations of the New Jerusalem. The position of Chrysolite in the Ephod seems prophetic in its' representation of the tribe of Dan, second only to Judah in size and arguably a cornerstone of the tribes (given that position in the Ephod), who would fall to earthly (the 'fourth' row) or worldly idolatry. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Chrysolite's 7th position in the foundations and its' representation of the Apostle Thomas is encouraging. Although Thomas initially doubted the resurrection of Christ, he proclaimed "My Lord and My God" after examining Jesus in John 20:28, so that he was not denied a position (numerically speaking) of spiritual completeness, being represented by Chrysolite in the 7th foundation of the New Jerusalem. Thomas was a prisoner and captive to his own doubt and unbelief, but was set free when he met the Living Christ. What a beautiful picture (for all of us) of the grace of Jesus. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i>NEXT POST:</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Sapphire</span></span></b></span> </span></span></span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-40664643512985097792010-08-01T03:10:00.008-05:002010-08-01T15:27:21.792-05:00Peridot - Giving Plenty<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August. Peridot is an ancient and yet currently very popular gemstone. It is so old that it can be </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">found even in Egyptian jewelry from the early second millennium BC. The stones used in those days came from an occurrence on a little volcanic island in the Red Sea, about 70 km off the Egyptian coast, which was rediscovered only around 1900 and has been </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">completely exploited since. Peridot, however, is also a very modern stone, for only a few years ago Peridot occurrences were discovered in the Kashmir region, and the stones from there show a unique beauty of color and transparency, so that the image of the stone, which was somewhat dulled over the ages, has received an efficient re-polishing.</span></span></span></div><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Peridot is one of the few gemstones which exist only in one color and yet the gemstone is actually known under three names: Peridot, Chrysolite (and derived from the Greek word “goldstone”) and Olivin, because Peridot is the gemstone variety of the Olivin mineral. In the gemstone trade it is generally called Peridot, a name derived from the Greek “peridona”, meaning something like “giving plenty”.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">When I think on Peridot I'm reminded of some things about Jesus. Peridot exists in only one color and yet is known by three names. This reminds of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) that we believers know as One God. The root of Peridot's name "giving plenty" and color of yellow/gold and green reminds me of what Jesus said in John 10:10, </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">life</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">, and have it </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">abundantly</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">NASB</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">. </span></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:large;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqEhRDhyjXCF1JkN84lijcppaRBa6moPQmH8y5qPplq2qFWJJv-oH0sfjU4s7rt3SPDioCvoJNED4mKXKVreFPoSaKYSxRB6dEqvPHTZQ62HPjG6w3WymgEyRRaFD-QsprhWU_YvDBc2x/s320/Stones_Peridot2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498683938898426450" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:large;"><i></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"Giving plenty" makes me think of that word "abundantly". The yellow/gold of the color makes me think of blessings (like gold, or riches), and green obviously makes me think of life itself...everlasting life which He purchased for us at Calvary with His Life and Blood.....now that's </span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">giving plenty</span></span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i>NEXT POST:</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> *</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Chrysolite</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">are presented in twelve monthly installments and will explore the similarities between the stones in the ephod (breastplate) of Aaron and the stones of the New Jerusalem, and their relation to Jesus.</span></span><br /></span></span></span><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-88282534009333776882010-07-15T03:05:00.021-05:002010-07-15T03:05:00.431-05:00The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Ruby & Carnelian<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span></span></span></span></div></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's notable that the exact identity of a few stones mentioned in Exodus 28 and Revelation 21 are uncertain and differ from translation to translation. Since many of the stones are now contemporary birthstones, I will highlight them in the months in which they correspond, not necessarily in the order they are mentioned in scripture.</span></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Ruby is the red variety of corundum known as the 'King of Gemstones'. In the Sanskrit language Ruby is called '<i>ratnaraj</i>', which does in fact translate as 'King of Gemstones'. The actual name 'Ruby' was derived from the Latin word 'rubens' meaning 'red'. Ruby was the first stone in the first row (a cornerstone) in the Breastplate of Aaron and represented the tribe of Judah.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Carnelian is a reddish-brown mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. The word carnelian is derived from the Latin word <i>caro</i>, <i>carnis</i> meaning flesh, in reference to the flesh color sometimes exhibited. Carnelian was used widely during Roman times to make engraved gems for signet or seal rings for imprinting a seal with wax on correspondence or other important documents because hot wax does not stick to Carnelian. Carnelian is a variety of the silica mineral chalcedony, colored by impurities of iron oxide. The color can vary greatly, ranging from pale orange to an intense almost-black coloration. Carnelian will decorate the sixth foundation of the New Jerusalem and represent the apostle Bartholomew</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"></span>Two interesting attributes shared by both of these gems are: 1) their membership in the trigonal crystal system, which is one of the seven crystal systems, both of which were mentioned in the previous post on Ruby and 2) their color - red.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the previous post on Ruby, I shared how the color of Ruby reminds of the Blood of Jesus, and that it's Sanskrit name '</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ratnaraj</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">' (translated "King of Gemstones') also reminds of the 'King of Kings'. Now we see that Ruby's placement in the Breastplate of Aaron represented the tribe of Judah, AND is a cornerstone. In Matthew Chapter 1, the lineage of Jesus is listed beginning with Judah. The first ever prophecy of the coming of Jesus, the Lion of Judah, and his never-ending Kingdom appears in Genesis 49:8-12. The reference was made by Jacob on his deathbed. Revelation 5:8-10 and 6:12-17 declare Jesus as the Lion of Judah. Zechariah 10:4 states "From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler" and 1Peter 2:6, "For in Scripture (a reference to Isaiah 28:16) it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." So again, in looking back at the construction of the Breastplate of Aaron, we see God using 'signs' that point to Jesus Christ.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Carnelian will represent the apostle Bartholomew in the 6th foundation of the New Jerusalem. It's interesting to note here that the Latin root for the word 'carnelian' means '</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">flesh</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">' (in reference to color sometimes exibited) and that the means of martyrdom for Bartholomew was by </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">flaying </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">(skinned alive), then crucified head downward, by order of an enraged</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Astyages, for having converted his brother, Polymius, King of Armenia. The flayed Bartholomew can be seen holding his own flesh in Michelangelo's Sistine painting of the Last Judgement. A statue by Marco d'Agrate from 1562 portrays much the same sight. It would seem fitting that the gem whose name means 'flesh' would forever memorialize the apostle who lost his own flesh for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Again, these red stones should serve as a reminder to us all of the price that has been paid for our salvation, and for the furthering of The Gospel.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Peridot</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></div></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-36230868853736865522010-07-01T03:04:00.012-05:002010-07-06T07:58:04.064-05:00Ruby - Kings, The Trinity, and The Blood<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July. Ruby is the red variety of corundum known as the 'King of Gemstones'. The term 'corundum' whic</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">h we use today is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kuruvinda'. In the Sanskrit language Ruby is called 'ratnaraj', which does in fact translate as 'King of Gemstones'. The actual name 'Ruby' was derived from the Latin word 'rubens' meaning 'red'.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The red of rubies is in a class all by itself: warm and fiery. Two elements are associated with the symbolism of this color: fire and blood, implying warmth, illumination and life for mankind.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Ruby occurs as a trigonal rhombohedral crystal i.e., a crystal having threefold symmetry. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In crystallography</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">trigonal crystal system</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> is one of the seven crystal systems</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, and the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">rhombohedral lattice system</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> is one of the seven lattice systems</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></span></span></span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The trigonal attribute and threefold symmetry of Ruby's crystal structure reminds me of the Holy Trinity of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Three in One and One in Three. Ruby's membership in one of seven crystal systems and seven lattice systems reminds me of the number 7 representing spiritual perfection, fulness, and completion. </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Seven is also the number of Covenant and the Holy Spirit. </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">These things combined with ruby's red color brings to mind so many things about Jesus.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jesus is the Son of God, One of Three and a Third of One. </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jesus' sinless life with us on earth confirmed He is spiritually perfect. Time and again He did things that fulfilled scripture, and His death and resurrection completed the plan for our salvation. He made a covenant with us, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20 </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">NIV</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">). After His ascension to heaven, He sent us the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4)</span>. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaNZ6IVD-Sa9MXRQErjnYQ_fiDEXIQv_sxz0XrFoSkOBCDzsETKoBLVs4fWGg6oZk5FGla0UO8U5lU4EHK-fvOpzW7I9dciXa1p8NiQTXq7fYVXUAjtBRhY5C4bW4nWHNcW8m3CWrfozX/s320/Stones_Ruby.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488351729601359906" /></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Of course the most prominent attribute about ruby that reminds of Jesus is it's color, red. Red is the color of blood, and the red color of ruby always reminds me that Jesus shed His Blood for our sins. It is the Blood of Jesus that cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Ruby, known as the 'King of Gemstones' has many attributes that remind of the 'King of Kings' when examined a little closer with an eye toward deeper things than just mere beauty.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:large;"><strong><em><span style="font-family:arial;">NEXT POST:</span></em></strong> *<span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Ruby and Carnelian</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 19px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">are presented in twelve monthly installments and will explore the similarities between the stones in the ephod (breastplate) of Aaron and the stones of the New Jerusalem, and their relation to Jesus.</span></span></span></span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-30069019887601430132010-06-15T03:04:00.008-05:002010-07-05T07:29:37.189-05:00The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Onyx & Sardonyx<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's notable that the exact identity of a few stones mentioned in Exodus 28 and Revelation 21 are uncertain and differ from translation to translation. Since many of the stones are now contemporary birthstones, I will highlight them in the months in which they correspond, not necessarily in the order they are mentioned in scripture. It's also notable that the number </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">12 </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(the number of perfection in government, and completion) is a key theme throughout these particular posts.</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; font-family:georgia, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Onyx</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> is the anniversary gemstone for the 7th year of marriage. Black Onyx is the anniversary gemstone for the 10th year of marriage. Onyx is the semiprecious variety of the silica mineral agate with white and black, brown or red alternating bands. Its properties are the same as those of quartz. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The name onyx was used by the Romans for a variety of stones including alabaster, c</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">halcedony</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, and what is now known as onyx marble. Onyx was the second stone in the fourth row on the Breastplate of Aaron in Exodus Chapter 28, and represented the tribe of Asher.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The word </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sardonyx</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> is derived from the Greek, Sard, meaning "reddish brown," and onyx meaning "veined gem." Varieties of onyx include carnelian onyx, with white and red bands, and sardonyx, with white and brown bands. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> The layers in these stones range from translucent to opaque for sardonyx. The stones vary in color, too. They may be white or gray, ranging to many colorful varieties. Sardonyx stones usually contain flat-banded, white and brownish-red bands. Sardonyx decorates the fifth foundation of the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21, and represents the Apostle Philip.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Black onyx is used prolifically in the jewelry trade from costume grade to the highest fine karat gold grade. Sardonyx is not used nearly as much, and predominantly in costume jewelry.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">When I think about the attributes of these stones, they remind me of things about Jesus. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Black onyx reminds me of His death on the cross and the darkness over the land that accompanied the event (Matthew 27:45). It reminds me of the darkness of the tomb in which He was laid. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The red and white stripes of Sardonyx remind me of the wound to His side that gushed forth both water and blood (John 19:34). </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1jzOlI6rSp97e8yySxCQ-TiRnQk3kMe6ApOW3-eZjtZo7yDh6ZdIVdC8OV6ctprNwgkSDUVSTBbL3PgmhHJrPJ5_HGp88x9uQ4U7NHt1Zuv5EmBEY3wy7SLbG0kOsugPtpLT79p6ewPz/s320/onyx+and+sardonyx.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482805504844743202" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm reminded of the lengths in which Jesus was willing to go in order to secure our salvation. That He would suffer things for you and me, so that we could have eternal life with Him, should we choose. Of course, Jesus had to suffer these things to get to the tomb from which He would resurrect three days later, victorious over suffering, darkness and death. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST: </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Ruby</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-59767399600766687722010-06-01T02:59:00.000-05:002010-06-01T02:59:00.175-05:00Alexandrite and Our Never-Changing God<span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Alexandrite is a rare gemstone named after the Russian tsar Alexander II (1818-1881), the very first crystals having been discovered in April 1834 in the emerald mines near the Tokovaya River in the Urals. The discovery was made on the day the future tsar came of age. Although alexandrite is a relatively young gemstone, it certainly has a noble history. Alexandrite is the faceted birthstone for the month of June.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The most sensational feature about this stone, however, is its surprising ability to change its colors. Green or bluish-green in daylight, alexandrite turns a soft shade of red, purplish-red or raspberry red in artificial light. This unique optical characteristic makes it one of the most valuable gemstones of all, especially in fine qualities.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.thekaratpatch.info/june_birthstone%20-%20The%20Karat%20Patch%20Big%20Spring,%20Texas.htm" target="new"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><img height="140" alt="Description" src="http://www.thekaratpatch.info/Stones_Alex_ani.gif" width="140" border="0" /></span></a></p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Alexandrite reminds me of God's Love for us.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">God's Love for us doesn't change, but everything in His Kingdom and all of His creation is in a constant state of change.<br />Watch the image above.</span></span><br /></span></span><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The alexandrite doesn't change shape, or its facets become re-arranged even when the colors constantly change within the stone.<br /></span></span><br /></span></span><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">God has a perfect will, a plan, for everything and everyone. And although things seem to constantly change around us within that plan...good changes, bad changes, planned changes and surprise changes, we can remain secure in the faithfulness of God’s Love for us which is constant and never changing (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 34);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ch&c=16&t=NIV#comm/34" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">1 Chronicles 16:34</span></a></span>).<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The color change of alexandrite from red to green reminds me of how the (red) blood of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to have (green) life everlasting. You cannot have one without the other, and both abide within God's Love. Jesus (His death and resurrection) is God's <em><strong>greatest</strong></em> expression of His Love for us (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 16);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=3&v=16&t=NIV#comm/16" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">John 3:16</span></a></span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 8);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=5&v=8&t=NIV#comm/8" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Romans 5:8</span></a></span>). I'm so glad He gave us alexandrite, another example of His creation that if examined closely with an eye to deeper things than its mere beauty, gives us an example of Him and His Love for us.</span></span><br /><br />If you want to read more about alexandrite just click on the image. If you want to read more about God's Love just pick up the Bible.<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-family:arial;">NEXT POST:</span></em></strong> <span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Onyx & Sardonyx</span></span></span></span>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-5108306876777011662010-05-15T02:59:00.006-05:002010-06-14T21:16:58.427-05:00The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Emerald<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's notable that the exact identity of a few stones mentioned in Exodus 28 and Revelation 21 are uncertain and differ from translation to translation. Since many of the stones are now contemporary birthstones, I will highlight them in the months in which they correspond, not necessarily in the order they are mentioned in scripture. It's also notable that the number </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">12 </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(the number of perfection in government, and completion) is a key theme throughout these particular posts.</span></span></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the Exodus Chapter 28 description of the breastplate of Aaron, Emerald was the third stone in the second row and represented the tribe of the seventh son of Jacob, Gad. The tribe of Gad would become known as fierce warriors and great protectors of life. It might be fitting then that a stone whose color represents life would also represent a tribe that would fight valiantly to protect it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the Revelation Chapter 21 description of the foundations of the New Jerusalem, Emerald decorates the 4th foundation and represents the apostle John. John and his brother James were the third and fourth disciples called by Jesus. Jesus would call them "</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Boanerges</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">" which means something like "Sons of Thunder" - perhaps evidence of their zeal and temper, and perhaps of Jesus' sense of humor. John's brother, James, was the first of the apostles to die, where John, on the other hand, was the last. All of the apostles met a violent death, however, John died peacefully in Ephesus, where he pastored a church, at an advanced age around the year 100 AD.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Again, Emerald bearing the color of life, comes to represent (in the 4th foundation on the New Jerusalem) the one who enjoyed the longest life of all the apostles.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">While in Ephesus, by order of the Roman emperor Domitian, John was exiled to an island called Patmos. In what is known as the cave of the Apocalypse (located on this island), the sacred text of the book of Revelation was given to the apostle John by Jesus (it is here that John recorded what is written in the New Testament book of Revelation). Other New Testament books accredited to John are the Gospel of John, along with 1st, 2nd and 3rd John.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Ten times in the New Testament, John proclaims Christ’s commandment to love one another. (John 13:34, John 13:35, John 15:12, John 15:17, 1 John 3:11, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:11, 1 John 4:12, 2 John 1:5) It was a message that was important to him and one that should be important to us. The message is that there is no life without love, love for one another and love for Jesus, who is The Way, The Truth, and The Life</span></span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0duPi6kYxiiVdAYLTOl6WxOTA67yShY-0UKNWNM8fmHPSdar8EQQ_XNJHZQTs63tIScHURbQP7Bsy1iZ1NMmBVQ3OJ4e-RY55QylXcmyhMegWQAH5nsWZ0ZLkNicnyzNMAkxwIAdZPOT/s320/emerald.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470193159311968050" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Emerald is the color of life. Emerald should serve as a reminder that we should (like the tribe of Gad) always fight to protect life, and we should (as Jesus taught and the apostle John wrote) always love, to perpetuate life. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST: </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Alexandrite and Our Never-Changing God</span></span></span></b></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-14334779470463424452010-05-01T02:57:00.011-05:002010-05-13T13:01:23.798-05:00Emerald and Life<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic; ">It's notable that the exact identity of a few stones mentioned in Exodus 28 and Revelation 21 are uncertain and differ from translation to translation. Since many of the stones are now contemporary birthstones, I will highlight them in the months in which they correspond, not necessarily in the order they are mentioned in scripture. It's also notable that the number <b>12 </b>(the number of perfection in government, and completion) is a key theme throughout these particular posts.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May. The name "emerald" comes from the Greek 'smaragdos' via the Old French 'esmeralde', and really just means 'green gemstone'.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Green is the color of life and springtime that brings new life and new opportunities.</span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The lively luminosity of its color makes the emerald a unique gemstone. However, really good quality is fairly rare, with inclusions often marring the evenness of the color – signs of the turbulent genesis which has characterized this gemstone. Fine inclusions, however, do not by any means diminish the high regard in which it is held. On the contrary: even with inclusions, an emerald in a deep, lively green still has a much higher value than an almost flawless emerald whose color is paler. Affectionately, and rather poetically, specialists call the numerous crystal inclusions, cracks or fissures which are typical of this gemstone 'jardin'. They regard the tender little green plants in the emerald garden as features of the identity of a gem which has grown naturally.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">When I think of emerald having the color of life and yet contain inclusions or imperfections within it, I think of what Jesus said in John 16:33 in which He states: "</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">" I think of these words because when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior we gain life and life eternal. I think we'd agree that is a valuable thing. But just because we gain life and the security that a life in Christ brings, it doesn't mean that life won't come without troubles (i.e. imperfections, inclusions) that can make us want to discount it's value. You read earlier that "</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Fine inclusions, however, do not by any means diminish the high regard in which it (emerald) is held</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">". Our life with Jesus was so important and valuable to Him that He was willing to suffer and die for us rather than live without us. But it didn't end there. After His resurrection and ascension, He now prepares a place for us to spend eternal life with Him. He conquered sin and death. He overcame the world!</span></span></span></i></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWBI3E-gTAGrhyphenhyphenWr0zwS3RRwHpP0JqUSJtKT8JM4yViAZ7pmPWFDClnEH8tehuB3ebbIbAQ3vjacsc_HTT0z2qWJG-D9_zNRRBTL95fqI1ewNJgypXp28e3437SFibBYbUxEJ4XRjX4KU/s320/emerald.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465203773410608578" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Yes, life has troubles just like emeralds have imperfections, but the value of both life and emeralds is not diminished because of them. Instead, troubles in life and imperfections in emeralds become markers of what has been overcome to bring victory and beauty.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST: **</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Emerald</span></span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">**</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">are presented in twelve monthly installments and will explore the similarities between the stones in the ephod (breastplate) of Aaron and the stones of the New Jerusalem, and their relation to Jesus</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-82486751730435325112010-04-15T02:56:00.010-05:002010-04-28T10:12:54.880-05:00The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Jacinth<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Let me say on the outset that this was an extremely difficult study given the limited amount of information on both the (original) gem of jacinth and the apostle Simon (the Zealot). But lack of information doesn't mean there's nothing to learn.</span></span></i></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jacinth is one of the few stones mentioned in both the breastplate of Aaron in Exodus chapter 28 and in the foundations of the New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Jacinth mentioned in both cases is n</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ot the modern (reddish-orange) jacinth, but a blue stone. In Revelation 9: 17 the color of the breastplates of jacinth worn by the horsemen is likened to ‘sapphire’</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">(NRSV)</span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jacinth is from the Greek word "hyacinth", which is a flower that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is also a name given to a variety of zircon, a precious stone of that flower's color (under oxidizing heat treatment, zircon can range in color from reddish-blue or deep-purple to yellow).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Of the twelve stones in the breastplate of Aaron, Jacinth was the first stone in the third row and represented the tribe of Ephraim. Jacinth will decorate the 11th foundation of the New Jerusalem and represent the apostle Simon (the Zealot).</span></span></div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The tribe of Ephraim was powerful among the other tribes. Shiloh was located in land belonging to the tribe of Ephraim and for a time was home to the Ark of the Covenant. When the ark was removed from Shiloh to Zion the power of Ephraim was humbled. From the settlement of Canaan until the time of David and Solomon, Ephraim had held the place of honor among the tribes. When Jerusalem became the capital of the kingdom, and the center of power and worship for the whole nation of Israel, Ephraim declined in influence.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Let's take a look at Jacinth's placement in the breastplate of Aaron, first in the third row. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In scripture, one, ('ehad' in Hebrew) represents unity and is the quintessential number of monotheism, the worship of one God. This concept of 'one' as a unity of one God is expressed in the opening lines of the first profession of faith found in Deuteronomy 6:4 which reads: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">(NIV)</span></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">'One' as a number symbolizes Unity. The number 1 is indivisible and not made up of any other number representing the unity of the One true God in which there is no division. One as an ordinal number denotes primacy, sovereignty, divine completeness or perfection. Christians recognized the number "one" in Scripture as symbolic of the First Person of the Most Holy Trinity, God the Father.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In scripture the number 3 represents that which is solid, real, substantial, and something in its completeness. This number usually indicates something of importance or significance in God's plan of salvation by identifying an important event in Salvation History. This number operates as a "sign-post" in Scripture study for the reader to "pay attention" to the significance of the next event.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Perhaps Jacinth's placement in the breastplate suggests more of what was to come than what was at the time. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Simon the Zealot, (probably given this moniker in order to distinguish him from Simon Peter) may be the most obscure of all the twelve apostles, and that's saying something, given how little some of them have to do in the gospels. Simon the Zealot appears in all the lists of twelve apostles in the synoptic gospels and in Acts (1:13), but that's it. No dialogue or acts are attributed to him anywhere in the gospels, in Acts, or in any of the epistles of the New Testament. The gospels also don't say anything about his background before becoming an apostle or the circumstances under which Jesus called him. But there must be a reason he was called "the zealot". Perhaps he held fast to the scripture that "The Lord our God, The Lord is One", and had difficulty reasoning that Jesus WAS God, and Jesus WAS man. Perhaps he was more like Thomas, doubtful. It's difficult to imagine anyone more 'zealous' than Simon Peter concerning a love for Jesus, but perhaps Simon the Zealot was given to even more enthusiasm than Peter. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm afraid we may not know anything conclusive until we are with Jesus in eternity. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST: </span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Emerald and Life</span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-37980086590189747542010-04-01T02:51:00.005-05:002010-04-28T10:12:27.515-05:00Diamonds and The Real Thing<span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i>This post is a remix from June 2009</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#CC9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Diamonds and The Real Thing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>There are diamonds and then there are diamond simulants. Diamond simulants are known by names like Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (a.k.a. YAG), Strontium Titanate, Synthetic Rutile, Synthetic Spinel, Cubic Zirconia, and most recently, Moissanite. These diamond simulants all have a particular characteristic about them that easily or readily distinguishes them from a diamond. But recently (in the past 2-3 years) we have had laboratory-created diamonds introduced into the marketplace. These lab-created diamonds are extremely difficult to distinguish from a “natural” diamond without a strong background of experience in examining natural diamonds. The bottom line is it takes an expert to tell the difference between an imposter and the real thing.<br /><br />Let’s take a look at the distinguishing characteristics of two of the previously named simulants. The easiest way to spot the difference between a diamond and cubic zirconia is to weigh it. Cubic zirconia weighs 55% more than diamonds with the same measurements. Moissanite has what is known as a “double refractive index” which means if you look at them under magnification the number of facets on the gem appear to be ‘doubled’.<br /><br />Lab-created (manufacturers vehemently shun the words 'man-made') diamonds though are created using a ‘seed’ of natural diamond to grow a complete new crystal from additional carbon which is subjected to strictly controlled heat and pressure over a period of about 45 days. But even these stones can be distinguished from diamond by someone with extensive experience in dealing with ‘the real thing’.<br /><br />In the gospels of Matthew (</span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 5);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=24&v=5&t=NIV#comm/5"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">24:5</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">), Mark (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mar&c=13&v=6&t=NIV#6"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">13:6</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">), and Luke (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=21&v=8&t=NIV#8"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">21:8</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">), Jesus warns that many will come in His name and will deceive people. Jesus says there will be false Christ’s and false prophets that will perform great signs and miracles. Simulants. Imposters. People who will have taken a 'seed' of the gospel and twisted and perverted it, mixing lies and half-truths to meet their own evil means....deception.<br /><br />So, how will we be able to tell the difference between the imposters (false teachers, false preachers, etc.) and “the real thing”?<br />We must make ourselves experts on “The Real Thing”….Jesus. How do we do that? We must read the authoritative book on “The Real Thing”….the Bible. Case in point: In most if not all of Matthew Chapter 24, Jesus Himself explains things we can look for that will tell us the difference between an imposter and The Real Thing. The entire Bible gives us word pictures of Jesus and His Love for us and also includes the characteristics that make Jesus truly unique to Him. Jesus has conquered sin AND DEATH. How about asking one of these imposters to raise himself from the grave?<br />Here’s an interesting comparison: The diamond derives its name from the Greek word <em>adamas</em>, meaning '<em>unconquerable'</em>. No other gem has that name ‘adamas’, unconquerable. And there’s no other name by which we can be saved than by the name of Jesus, whom the Bible declares to be unconquerable.<br /><br />Just as diamonds are the purest form of only one element (carbon), Jesus is the purest form of Love from The One and Only God. Diamonds are the hardest rock (or substance) on the earth. Jesus Christ is the Living Foundation of Rock upon which God builds (</span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 4);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Pe&c=2&v=4&t=NIV#comm/4"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">1Peter 2:4</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">) and the Rock of our Salvation (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=95&v=1&t=NIV#1"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Psalm 95:1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">).<br /><img alt="" src="http://www.thekaratpatch.info/spinningdiamond.gif" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 88px; cursor: pointer; height: 74px; text-align: center; " />There is no real substitute for diamond, and certainly no substitute for The Real Thing…Jesus.</span><div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>NEXT POST: </i></span></span>The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Jacinth</span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-60000400998242930452010-03-15T02:48:00.011-05:002010-03-15T14:52:09.087-05:00The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Beryl<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">It's notable that the exact identity of a few stones mentioned in Exodus 28 and Revelation 21 are uncertain and differ from translation to translation. Since many of the stones are now contemporary birthstones, I will highlight them in the months in which they correspond, not necessarily in the order they are mentioned in scripture. It's also notable that the number <b>12</b>(the number of perfection in government, and completion) is a key theme throughout these particular posts.</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cc9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Beryl</span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cc9933;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cc9933;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Beryl is the mineral name of several important gemstones. All transparent varieties of Beryl may be used as gemstones, although Emerald and Aquamarine are by far the most well-known and important varieties. Pure Beryl is colorless; traces of different impurities are responsible for the color range. Each color variety has a distinct name in the gemstone trade:</span></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Emerald, the green variety, is the most popular green gemstone and is one of the most valuable gems.</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Aquamarine, the blue to blue-green variety. The previous post was devoted to this variety. </span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Morganite, the pink variety, named after the banker J.P. Morgan, who was an avid gemstone collector. Morganite may also be called "Pink Beryl". "Peach Beryl", or "Champagne Beryl", is Morganite with an orange-pink color.</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Heliodor is the variety including all yellow, yellow-green, light-green, orange, and brown Beryl.</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Golden Beryl, sometimes also called "Heliodorite", is a variety of Heliodor with a golden yellow color. </span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Goshenite is the colorless variety of Beryl, and is not commonly used as gemstone. </span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Red Beryl, also known as Bixbite, is very rare and deep red.</span></span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Beryl is mentioned specifically in both the breastplate of Aaron and the foundations of the New Jerusalem, and represent the tribe of Zebulun and the apostle Matthew respectively. The tribe of Zebulun was a small tribe, whose territory included Nazareth where Jesus dwelt. They also assisted in enthroning David at Hebron (</span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ch&c=12&v=33&t=NIV#comm/33"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 Chr. 12:33-40</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">), whose lineage includes Jesus.</span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Matthew was called to follow Jesus from the greedy and publicly despised tax collection business, and he is represented by beryl in the 8th foundation of the New Jerusalem. Eight is the number of 'new beginnings' in scripture. Both apostles Luke (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=5&v=27&t=KJV#27"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5:27</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">)and Mark (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mar&c=2&v=14&t=KJV#14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2:14</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">) call him Levi, which could mean that he was from the tribe of Levi, the people who served as the staff of the Temple: musicians, guards, custodians, or </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">record-keepers</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. From the way he wrote, we can be certain Matthew was Jewish. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(204,153,51)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many tax collectors collected as much money as they could in any way that they could in order to become very rich. Tax-collectors were considered to be so dishonest that they could not testify in courts of law. Were it true that Matthew descended from the Levite servants of the Temple, then it would be something indeed that he would 'opt-out' of servanthood to became a tax collector. There's no question then that Matthew made a 'new beginning' when he chose to follow Jesus, and I believe suggests the reason he is represented so in the 8th foundation of the New Jerusalem. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(204,153,51)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Interestingly, two of the principle colors of beryl are gold and green, the colors of money.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430524352399136066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 139px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lo1GNBwZofU7xOm55qDggIo0MerirKMxiNWjuUYarCb1FLKySIL6140IFn1TLk8DljF8TnzPyZx1VkEeYnEPMlIpCa3vf0nSzYHhY4jZ7OYHRW47XeRDe39EULe4SgKzzGaVJC8JCuTC/s320/beryl+-+Sign.jpeg" border="0" /> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Again, with a little digging we can come to understand more about why some of these gems may have been chosen for their particular placement in ephod of the Old Covenant Church and in the foundations of the New Covenant Church.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NEXT POST: </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Diamonds and The Real Thing </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">remix</span></i></span></span></b></span></span></div></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-20803402094322438402010-03-01T02:47:00.004-06:002010-03-01T02:47:00.102-06:00Aquamarine and Living Water<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March, and is one of our most popular and best-known gemstones. It is almost as popular as the classics: ruby, sapphire and emerald. In fact it is related to the emerald, both belonging to the beryl family. Most aquamarines come from Brazil. However, aquamarines are also found in other countries, for example Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Afghanistan and Pakistan.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The color of aquamarine, however, is usually more even than that of the emerald. Much more often than its famous green cousin, aquamarine is almost entirely free of inclusions. The blue of aquamarine is a divine, eternal color, because it is the color of the sky. However, aquamarine blue is also the color of water with its life-giving force. And aquamarine really does seem to have captured the lucid blue of the seas. No wonder, when you consider that according to legend, it originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids and has, since ancient times, been regarded as the sailors' lucky stone. Its name after all is derived from the Latin "aqua" (water) and "mare" (sea).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It is aquamarine's Latin origins to it's name that make me think often of Jesus. Much of Jesus' life and ministry took place in and around water or the sea. He called his first disciples from, and walked on the water of the Sea of Galilee. At a well in Samaria, Jesus encountered a woman who would soon understand what He meant when He spoke of 'living water' (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=4&v=1&t=KJV#comm/13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">John 4:13</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">). Jesus' first miracle was to turn water into wine (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=2&v=6&t=NIV#comm/1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">John Chapter 2</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">). In John 7:38, Jesus said </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">After we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior we are baptized in water.</span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoMkcsrEUklzwq0GpP-bPzaZrLOzzxOyNp8UYFpzkGVH22zqcdPqpmN5zHrKplClBWotno7AH04Cm-GnMKsUDdgPD4Juldp37WqF0yhobWsOz-kpd9LusItQmc7_7h6z4VfH1dzsln6Uq/s320/Stones_Aquamarine2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430416691760460322" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">When I see the beautiful blue color of aquamarine I think of these verses, and many others that remind me of Jesus. Aquamarine also reminds me that when we receive the living water, we become a vessel that takes that living water to others. Christian, pour some living water on someone whom you know needs it today. </span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#666666;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST: **</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Beryl</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">**</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">are presented in twelve monthly installments and will explore the similarities between the stones in the ephod (breastplate) of Aaron and the stones of the New Jerusalem, and their relation to Jesus</span></span></span></div></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-69844341543409211592010-02-15T06:57:00.017-06:002010-02-15T08:56:12.951-06:00The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Amethyst<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">It's notable that the exact identity of a few stones mentioned in Exodus 28 and Revelation 21 are uncertain and differ from translation to translation. Since many of the stones are now contemporary birthstones, I will highlight them in the months in which they correspond, not necessarily in the order they are mentioned in scripture. It's also notable that the number <b>12 </b>(the number of perfection in government, and completion) is a key theme throughout these particular posts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC9933;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Amethyst</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The breastplate of Aaron was constructed to hold four rows of three stones each (a square of 12 stones) and each stone was inscribed with the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. In the account of its' construction found in the 28th Chapter of Exodus, amethyst is placed third in the third row and represented the tribe of Benjamin. This 'third of third' placement may give insight to the one whom amethyst would represent in the 12th foundation of the New Jerusalem.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In Revelation Chapter 21 amethyst is mentioned as the last of 12 foundations on which the walls of the New Jerusalem will rest. Just as the 12 stones in the ephod represented the names of the 12 sons of Israel, the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem will represent the 12 apostles. Starting with the first foundation and using the order written in </span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=10&v=2&t=NIV#comm/2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Matthew 10:2-4</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> we would begin with Peter (</span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=16&v=18&t=KJV#18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Matthew 16:18</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">) and match the order of names with each foundation as they stack up. Of course Judas removed himself from the original twelve. Not all transcr</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ipts</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">agree in regard to who this 12th foundation represents. Some include Matthias (who replaced Judas among the apostles in </span></span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=1&v=23&t=NIV#23"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Acts 1:20-26</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">) in place of Paul, however, Paul is sited more often likely because he was chosen by Jesus himself as were the original twelve apostles (</span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=9&v=4&t=NIV#top"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Acts 9</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">:15). </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">(Since this is my blog, I'm going with the guy Jesus chose, and the most prolific writer for His cause.) </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Remember that Saul (Paul) did not see, and did not eat or drink (</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">3</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> things) for </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">3</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> days upon his conversion on the Damascus road. Now think about that 'third of third' placement of amethyst in the breastplate. And, in </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Phl&c=3&t=NIV#comm/4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Philippians 3:4-6</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Paul himself acknowledges his lineage as the tribe of Benjamin, who is represented by amethyst in the breastplate of Aaron.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Amethyst is purple, the color of royalty. It's no coincidence that the walls of the New Jerusalem, the eternal home of Jesus-the King of Kings, would rest directly on a gem of that color. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Amethyst is also the color of wine. Wine represents 'joy' in scripture. Remember the wedding party in Cana and the site of Jesus' first miracle? The hosts ran out of wine, i.e. joy. Jesus turned water into wine and restored their joy. The New Jerusalem will be a place of eternal joy</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAXVwqoztUsRN-Wgllp-6Pze4rgeqFJ20TSco34KuJmR_r1zaBLJqUUTpB_aLWndjutm2tMEZm0ITnPz24mCM4_IPaDBAK3XABsrNY0Xwq8mqiNP1nJEq3JlkzAiJV38WVEXM1Qc6t-Ns/s320/amethyst.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425654016367280754" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Our God had all this figured out long before anyone started trying to analyze it. But it will be fun and exciting to explore the rest of The Gems of Exodus and Revelation. Thanks for taking the journey with me.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST:</span> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Aquamarine and Living Water</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-4061055686637993942010-02-01T06:32:00.005-06:002010-02-10T09:45:32.657-06:00Amethyst and The First Miracle<span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">The following post is a re-mix from September of 2009.</span></span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Amethyst is the official birthstone for February as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. Throughout history amethyst has been used to guard against drunkenness and is thought to be helpful in overcoming addiction. It has been used for hearing disorders, insomnia, headaches and other pain. Some sources suggest it is used to stabilize mental disorders. The Greek word "amethystos" basically can be translated as "not drunken." Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it. The gemstone is still a symbol in modern day circles who celebrate sobriety. Every folklore and legend about amethyst is centered around wine or the elements of wine.</div><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Whenever I am working with amethyst at The Karat Patch in Big Spring, Texas I often think about the first miracle Jesus performed. When Jesus turned water into wine (</span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 1);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=2&v=9&t=NIV#comm/1"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">John 2:1</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">-11) He didn't just perform a miracle, He gave us a picture of what we can be if we have Him as our Savior.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">In the account of the miracle, there were stone jars of water used for "ceremonial washing" as guests entered the wedding party at Cana in Galilee. When the wine ran out at the party, Jesus' mother Mary called Jesus to take notice. Jesus had some folks fill the pots to the brim (which already contained 20-30 gallons of "ceremonial washing" liquid, i.e. <em><span style="font-family:arial;">bathwater</span></em>), then had them take some of the liquid to the head-waiter who upon tasting, declared that the (now<em>) </em>wine was of the highest quality. One might even say that the head-waiter had discovered a treasure in these stone pots. Jesus restored joy to the wedding party by changing what was in the stone pots.</span></div><div><span style="color:#666666;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">And that is what I refer to as the 'picture' of what WE are when we have Jesus Christ as our Savior. A simple stone pot (or jar of clay)...with a treasure inside (</span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 7);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Cr&c=4&v=7&t=NIV#comm/7"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">2Chronicles 4:7</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">). Even if we have filled our lives to the brim with all manner of dirty, disgusting things, once we accept Jesus as our Savior He changes all that into something wonderful and joyful...something that anyone would want a 'taste' of. We become earthen vessels with the Grace, Hope, Salvation and person of Jesus Christ inside of us, ready to be shared with a world that has run out of joy.</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><img alt="" src="http://www.thekaratpatch.info/amethyst.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 100px; cursor: pointer; height: 100px; text-align: center; " />It's the same with His creation too. In the beginning, He created the earth, and just under the crust of it we can find beautiful gems like amethyst...a treasure inside an earthen vessel.<br /><br /></span><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><em>NEXT POST: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">**</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Amethyst</span></span></strong></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">**</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">are presented in twelve monthly installments and will explore the similarities between the stones in the ephod (breastplate) of Aaron and the stones of the New Jerusalem, and their relation to Jesus.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-42374224978027908892010-01-15T07:39:00.022-06:002014-05-20T13:21:59.141-05:00The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Jasper<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">It's notable that the exact identity of a few stones mentioned in Exodus 28 and Revelation 21 are uncertain and differ from translation to translation. Since many of the stones are now contemporary birthstones, I will highlight them in the months in which they correspond, not necessarily in the order they are mentioned in scripture. It's also notable that the number <b>12 </b>(the number of perfection in government, and completion) is a key theme throughout these particular posts.</span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc9933; font-size: 180%;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Jasper</span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jasper is an ornamental rock composed mostly of chalcedony, microcrystalline quartz, in association with other minerals, which give it colorful bands and patterns. Jasper was a favorite gem in the ancient world; its name can be traced back in Hebrew, Assyrian, Persian, Greek and Latin. Jasper is often named according to its pattern: landscape jasper, the most popular, offers a small panorama in stone. Ribbon jasper, picture jasper, and orbicular jasper are the names of other varieties. Jasper is found in many countries. It is sometimes used to create bowls and other objects and to adorn buildings, such as the Saint Wenceslas Chapel in Prague.</span></span></span></span></i><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGo-7O7T1FVX6JpTVxI1o5Hc4de6fkvU1AyhZNzFRXnBhgTaeRWiB9oclGgRe5-F_qr1zLLL62x6GXqIGKaCkpm_v_M5yTiq70xNNuy0g7FE9D_emW_upSB0_4nVn0WXDroVPIvrAg6XN/s320/Stones_Jasper2.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422332817206770530" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 140px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 140px;" /> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's interesting that this stone which is mentioned last (of twelve stones) to be placed in the breastplate of Aaron in Exodus, is mentioned first (of twelve stones) in the foundation of the walls of the New Jerusalem in Revelation.</span></span></span></span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span>This reminds of Jesus' teaching from Matthew 20:16 NIV in which He stated "the last will be first and the first will be last." Because Jasper can take on so many different patterns and names, it reminds me of what Jesus said in John 8:58 NIV "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!" Just like so many different patterns, Jesus is the answer to so many different needs; when we say "Lord, I need...(fill in the blank), Jesus says "I Am...(the answer to whatever is in the blank). Just like so many different names, Jesus is known as Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Lion of Judah, Star out of Abraham, Lamb of God, Son of Man and on and on. And just like Jasper, Jesus was First (as God in Heaven) - became Last (as man on earth) - and now is First again (at the right hand of the Father).<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvYGA62konf0Za_RbmG4VzG7jAqYZEJhL-8nfBqxEGuOM-hxvt1EK_qSbCa5GnQoEhU2RxMPKc4MAL9-HE_UMFggIa2-1yHs-xP0oNRAaqEy5GcEh8WLZqJCX4q9JmXJfYkGN45JkCY5i/s320/Stones_Jasper1.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422348258981515698" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 140px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 140px;" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jasper represented the tribe of Benjamin (of the 12 tribes of Israel) in the breastplate of the High Priest Aaron when God established the Old Covenant Church, and represents Peter (of the 12 apostles & <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=16&v=18&t=NIV#18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Matthew 16:18</span></a>) in the <b>first</b> of 12 foundations of the walls in the New Jerusalem in God's establishment of the New Covenant Church of which Jesus is The Great High Priest. Jasper's placement in both the breastplate and the foundations makes it a cornerstone.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a day and age when we consider many stones much more precious than jasper, is it any wonder God does not?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>NEXT POST: </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Amethyst and The First Miracle </span>remix</span></i></span></span></span>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-35644588622479435962010-01-01T06:00:00.008-06:002010-01-02T21:40:00.728-06:00Garnet, Grain, and Light<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Welcome to the 2010 edition of JG&J. If you're a regular reader you've figured out that I post on the 1st and the 15th of each month. If you're not a regular, now you know the plan too. I covet your comments and thoughts and hope you choose to follow along as together we learn more about jewelry, gems, and Jesus.</span></div><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(204,153,51)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Garnet, Grain, and Light</span></span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cc9933;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. Most folks think of garnet as a dark red stone with some hint of brown hue. Fact is garnet comes in every hue of color except blue, and can also display characteristics like asterism (stars) and even color change between certain lights. Garnets are quite sturdy and resistant to everyday wear and tear, and uncomplicated to work into jewelry. Another point in favor of garnets is their high refraction of light, the reason for the amazing brilliance of garnets. The shape of the rough crystal is also interesting. Garnet, after all, means something like "the grainy” and is derived from the Latin word "granum” meaning "grain”. This refers to the typically rounded shape of garnet and also reminds of the seeds of the pomegranate.</span></span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Garnets are found in jewelry from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras. Many courageous discoverers and travelers wore garnets for protection, as they were considered popular talismans and protective stones, because it was believed in those days that garnets illuminate the night and prevent their wearer from any sort of evil. Today science explains to us that the proverbial luminosity of garnet is caused by its high refraction of light.</span></span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">When I consider these characteristics of garnet, they remind me of things Jesus taught about grain and light. In </span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mar&c=4&v=14&t=NIV#14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Mark 4:14-21</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">NIV</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> Jesus tells the parable of the how the Gospel is spread like grain seed. Verses 14-20 reveal how the farmer (that's all us Christians) sows the Word (Gospel, seed). Sometimes the (Gospel) seed finds soil that is rocky or thorny and does not grow to make grain. Sometimes the (Gospel) seed finds good soil, takes root and produces a bumper crop. Verse 21 reveals that when we receive a lamp (light) that we shouldn't hide it away only for our personal benefit, but that we put that light on a stand so that others may be illuminated. These verses are simply saying to us: Go, Tell, and Teach (</span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=28&v=19&t=NIV#19"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Matthew 28:19-20</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">)</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">NIV</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">; Share with others what has been freely given to me and you...the Grace and Salvation of Jesus Christ.</span></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420777101724753122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIMyTFaEDsb1bkOdVp5uSleJVFr1HA0bfdgjbK9uqey6Vusg5UHLai4PcpaffS7y3ROIb0Awqjm4Z_kIgIHxCDS_kmz8oygcVGAofJVVvJwNqVO9teHVfO1LrGZl0gZWL2zqvA9dENaoS/s400/Garnets.jpg" border="0" /> <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Garnet, whose name means "grain" and has a wonderful ability to greatly spread (refract) light should serve as a reminder to to all who claim the name of Christ to spread the Word, and to shine the Light.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,51)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span></span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> **The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Jasper</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">**</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Gems of Exodus and Revelation</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> will be presented in twelve monthly installments and will explore the similarities between the stones in the ephod (breastplate) of Aaron and the stones of the New Jerusalem, and their relation to Jesus</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-65262595151072601212009-12-15T05:00:00.008-06:002009-12-15T05:00:03.078-06:00Omega and Alpha<span style="font-size:130%;">The year is quickly drawing to an end and then a new year will begin. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The Christmas season is the busiest time of the year at The Karat Patch, and just doesn't leave time to write. So in this last post for 2009 </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I want to use the space to thank all of you who read this blog. I hope you find it both educational and spiritually encouraging. Thanks to those of you who follow and leave comments. I appreciate your encouragement. </span><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I pray that our Heavenly Father will keep you all in His care until we meet up again on January 1st. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Blessings2U</span> </div></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-47827284508306920752009-12-01T09:00:00.039-06:002009-12-01T17:31:49.555-06:00Gift Wrap and The Greatest Gift<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We do gift wrapping at The Karat Patch. Almost every piece of jewelry goes into a presentation box, and gets an "event appropriate" gift wrap. Sometimes that event is a birthday (party wrap) or an anniversary (white wrap), or sometimes a graduation (school colors wrap). During the Christmas season we even put a tiny toy or an ornament in the bow. And we have an everyday gift wrap (brown paper), occasionally tied-up with a ribbon of the gift recipients favorite color. Whatever the occasion, we put a beautiful and personal gift wrap on what will be a special present for a loved one.<br /><br />Now think about this; What kind of gift wrap would you put on the most important gift you would ever give to someone? What type of paper would you use? What kind of bow? What kind of ribbon? My suspicion is that you would use the very best of everything you could find for that special gift.<br /><br />Well, the greatest gift you and I have ever received came packaged not with the best of everything, but with the most ordinary of things. It came wrapped in cloths. It was stored in a hay bin. It was delivered to (most likely) a cave (</span></span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 7);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=2&v=12&t=NIV#comm/7"><span style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Luke 2:7</span></span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> & </span></span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 12);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=2&v=12&t=NIV#comm/12"><span style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Luke 2:12</span></span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">). The greatest gift came the way it did because it wasn't just for any one person...but for everyone. It came in a form and a package in which anyone could relate and draw close, peasants and kings alike.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The greatest gift comes with both love and life for all who would receive it (</span></span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 16);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=3&v=17&t=NIV#comm/16"><span style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">John 3:16</span></span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">). The greatest gift never goes out of fashion, never wears out, never fails, and no batteries are required. Oddly enough though it can be exchanged...for things like the pursuit of a bigger house, a fancier car, a career, more money...anything we might want more than the greatest gift.<br /><br />What is the greatest gift? The greatest gift is Jesus Christ. We received this gift that we might have life, and life more abundant...right here, right now...oh yeah, and for all eternity too (</span></span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 10);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=10&v=10&t=NKJV#comm/10"><span style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">John 10:10</span></span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">). When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, we unwrap the greatest gift that God our Father has ever given to the world. Those who accept Jesus Christ as Savior receive not just love and life, but also forgiveness, hope, and eternal life. In other words, Jesus Christ is the personification of "</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">the</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></span><span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">gift that keeps on giving</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">".</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407154428037377890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJCL8lwn7gwrIaU9ggVY6tsAThmwvbCei86_ZiWITzwKp_2U8u25Jyjnwl_M6Q2TfdoSSgNFYc25DDzpYvQAZ0gaLs6xsXkqnelkPszUufyc4Q0GoUTZkSRxg-qzZP9vUs5I5zeJ_kie2/s400/x18981874.jpg" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This Christmas, during the season of gifts and giving, let's make sure those who don't know about the greatest gift get the opportunity to receive it and unwrap it for themselves (</span></span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=28&v=19&t=NKJV#19"><span style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Matthew 28:19</span></span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">). And remember that every day of that abundant life is a gift from God...that's why it's called "</span></span></span><span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">the present</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">".</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST:</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Omega and Alpha</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-9680061093421533512009-11-15T03:00:00.008-06:002009-11-24T18:09:09.518-06:00Stars<span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Star rubies (red color) and star sapphires (blue color) show a bright six-legged star in the dome of their cabochon. The stars, like the eye of a cat's-eye, are formed by light reflecting off tiny inclusions in the stone. The value of star rubies and sapphires are influenced by two things: the intensity and attractiveness of the body color and the strength and sharpness of the star. All six legs should be straight and equally prominent. Star rubies rarely have the combination of a fine translucent or transparent color and a sharp prominent star. Star sapphires are more common but still very rare with fine color. Star rubies and sapphires are becoming more rare as most rough today is cut into faceted stones after heating instead of being cut into cabochons to display the star. Stars are very collectible as a result.</span> <p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">I can never look at these particular stones without thinking of that time in Bethlehem, and the birth of our Savior.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">When I see the star it reminds me of the Old Testament scripture in which Jesus is described as a star. Numbers 24:17 reads,</span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><i> I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(NIV)</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">In the New Testament Matthew 2:2</span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"> tells of the wise men seeing “his <i>star</i> in the east.” Luke 1: 31-33</span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"> tells the account of Jesus receiving both His name and His authority over the house of Jacob (the fulfillment of Numbers 24:17). II Peter 1:19</span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"> tells of the morning star and in Revelation 22:16</span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"> Jesus proclaims that He IS “the bright Morning Star".</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404177219760842546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFbzmXqqHc0JjKIawaSAm_WbERrUq1zdEpzUAfCiakzcXsVVnvIkLrmpzzMPohr-gGIWQ6rmUx1r385LhbWTUGWOWUwSc8ueRPbljBpoKIHGXhLr9Hgf6xLKTKmyt3m-V0xrcWbWqt4jv/s400/Sapphire-star-037.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">As we enter into the season of Christmas, when lots of lights, festive characters and other things vie for our attention, let's consider the real 'star' of the show...Jesus.</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Next Post</span></b></i>: Gift Wrap and The Greatest Gift</span></p>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-11782288332080744612009-11-01T09:00:00.008-06:002009-11-12T19:10:33.164-06:00Confession and Glass Cleaner<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Karat Patch jewelry store in Big Spring, Texas is full of glass. For security reasons we only have one glass door and window. But inside the store there are display cases, wall units, and a sales counter made of glass. And not just glass but mirrors too. It's is a 'glass rich' environment. Every morning and most days around 1:00pm, we have to clean fingerprints and arm-prints off the glass. During busy times of the year, like the Christmas season, we clean the glass 3 or 4 times a day. It really is a constant job to keep the glass and mirrors clean. You can just imagine how things would be if we did not keep the glass clean: at some point one might not be able to see what's behind the glass at all.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I've often thought about all that work to keep the glass clean. We must keep the glass clean so that folks can see the beautiful jewelry inside those displays. When the glass isn't clean it distorts the beauty of things behind it. </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sometimes when I'm cleaning the glass, I think about how much we Christians are like that glass display. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we have the person of Jesus Christ inside of us. As humans, we sin. Sin is like those fingerprints and arm-prints on the glass in that it leaves something on our lives that distorts the view others have of what's on the inside. </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div><span style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We use a variety of products to keep our glass clean and even to prevent fingerprints. But there's only one way to clean away sin on our lives...confession. Scripture says (</span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 9);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Jo&c=1&v=9&t=NIV#comm/9"><span style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">1John 1:9</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">) when we confess our sin that Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us, and CLEANSE us from ALL unrighteousness. If we never confess our sin it's like that glass that never gets cleaned; it becomes very difficult to see the beauty of Jesus that lives within us. But when we confess our sin, we're like clean glass through which folks can see</span></span><span style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> the beautiful things inside of us namely, the hope...the glory...the salvation...and the person of Jesus Christ.</span></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394018765460181746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRlMdRbPLg4fMNd5upa392rseKHCSJqAGJAPxAk1LgsWdfEevIgCLEvEg4kxMPCqFVxRRUuHKwSqILjQBm-cqMe-vDMY6G359cU9VR5Gsu3LZcw3tkLeQpdh4HGciJGAeZjcttAKtno4W/s400/glass+cleaner+and+towels+2.jpg" border="0" /><span style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Confession and glass cleaner....things that make it possible to see the beauty within.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">NEXT POST: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Stars</span></span></span></span></i></b></span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-21680482287954329032009-10-15T09:00:00.013-05:002009-10-18T14:16:46.592-05:00PDA's<span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Long before the age of <strong>P</strong>ersonal <strong>D</strong>igital <strong>A</strong>ssistants, there was an abbreviated version of the term '<strong>P</strong>ublic <strong>D</strong>isplay of <strong>A</strong>ffection', namely <strong>PDA</strong>. If you've ever been a sponsor on a school or church trip attended by teens, or are a teacher or administrator at a public or parochial school with teens, you are very familiar with this term. Public displays of affection take many forms depending on one's age and the depth of the relationship. As a relationship deepens, PDA can move from holding hands to putting an arm around the other persons' shoulders and even kissing and hugging...in public. But probably considered to be the greatest PDA of all would be the presentation of an engagment ring and the proposal of marriage...in public. </span><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">The inception of the engagement ring itself can be tied to the Fourth Lateran Council presided over by Pope Innocent III in 1215. Innocent declared a longer waiting period between betrothal and marriage; plain rings of gold, silver or iron were used earliest. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">As for that big rock of an engagement ring, the first recorded diamond engagement ring was presented by the Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy as a betrothal gift in 1477. And thus began the tradition of this ultimate PDA...in the jewelry sense.</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388840611028771506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4WLupFgsAtoindY5J6BcwF2GS4wOoM_2yUUqCci9knWPkojQmMwPjGlwxbwp9FaErUkjIgJq8j4p3WJL1RqCzvY3xKwIhe47yW6pUMbcKUnep72BD0fPCEB_6ZrXnMl6OVrs1fBkwZOP/s400/diamond_engagement_rings1.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">As Christians, we have an ultimate PDA too. Our ultimate PDA doesn't involve the giving of jewelry, but the giving of LIFE. </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Jo&c=4&v=9&t=NIV#9"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">1 John 4:9</span></a><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:130%;">-10 states: <em>"<span style="font-size:78%;">9</span></em><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. <span style="font-size:78%;">10</span>This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins</em><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>." (</em><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>NIV) </em></span></span></span></span><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">And </span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rom&c=5&v=8&t=NIV#8"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Romans 5:8</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#666666;"> states: <em>"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." <span style="font-size:78%;">(NIV)</span></em></span></span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">God set His Son AMONG us...in public. That Son walked and talked, healed and taught, and ministered among us...in public. And that Son died a cruel death for us...in public. That Son was resurrected, walked the earth another 40 days and ascended...in public. That Son will come again...in public. That Son has a name.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#666666;">It is the ONLY name by which anyone can be saved (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Act&c=4&v=12&t=NIV#12"><span style="color:#666666;">Acts 4:12</span></a><span style="color:#666666;">). That Son's name is Jesus, and He is THE ultimate <b>P</b>ublic <b>D</b>isplay of <b>A</b>ffection...God's affection... for you and me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><strong><em>NEXT POST:</em> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal;font-family:georgia;" >Confession and Glass Cleaner</span></strong></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7319152667424804029.post-78950106195881474492009-10-01T09:00:00.011-05:002009-10-04T13:49:57.229-05:00The Hope<span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">The 45.52 carat steel blue Hope Diamond was found in India back in remote times as a rough crystal weighing 112 carats. It first came to light when Jean Baptiste <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tavernier</span>, the noted French traveler of the 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> century, was approached in India by a slave who had a very secretive manner about him. It turned out that he had in his possession an intriguing steel blue stone which at first look seemed to be a large sapphire, but the well-experienced <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tavernier</span> soon realized it was a diamond – the largest deep blue diamond in the world. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Tavernier</span> purchased the stone and smuggled it to Paris, where he later sold it to King Louis XIV. It was cut there into a triangular </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">pear-shaped stone weighing 67.50 carats, and was then known as the French Blue or the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tavernier</span> Blue.<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">The legends of the ill-fortune following the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many.From the start Louis XIV of France, for whom Louisiana was named, had ill-fortune follow him, perhaps deservedly as he was a despot and harsh ruler. </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Other wearers of the jewel at the Court of France might well have given credence to the legendary curse. Princess <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Lamballie</span> and Marie Antoinette followed, and both were guillotined during the French Revolution when the 'French Blue' was looted along with the rest of the French Crown Jewels. After a long disappearance, it mysteriously emerged at auction in England as the 45.52 carat wonder that we see and know today. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Long story short, every owner of The Hope Diamond had much trouble befall them up to and until it was donated to the Smithsonian Museum in 1958 by Harry Winston. All this cumulative trouble has been dubbed <em>'the curse of the Hope Diamond'</em>.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">As a christian, when I think of the word <em>hope</em> I don't think of the word <em>curse</em>....I think of The Word - Christ. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Jesus is our <strong><em>hope</em></strong> and our salvation. When we have Jesus as our Savior, we possess what scripture calls <em>'the hope of glory'</em> (</span><a onclick="return startInsertHandler('comm', 27);" href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Col&c=1&v=27&t=NIV#comm/27"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Colossians</span> 1:27</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">). Indeed much of Bible scripture tells of this hope we (believers) have in Jesus Christ. Now that's not to say that those who possess 'the hope' of Jesus won't experience trouble in their lives, quite the contrary. Jesus said (</span><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=16&v=33&t=NIV#33"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">John 16:33</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">) "<em>I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world</em>." </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><em>THIS</em> is our hope of glory: We too will overcome the world by the power of Jesus Christ who lives in us.</span></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378921026803652322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXk8H1YXs9Ga38uuqmk0kTb2koizAdXx87LX-hksdnnhG4wayAJHumkj_7Z2HesRqZUiq_x3lUxe-I-UTvvAtNBITxI7GldMdYVIkWBHZHRWFpsBw6WfGGuD0aJsM-S0UWBVWxalbaQgI/s400/hopediamond11.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">When I see the Hope Diamond and remember the legend of its curse, it reminds me that in this world there will be trouble...for everyone. But it's those who put their faith and trust in Jesus that have the real... the true... the eternal... Hope.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><em><strong>NEXT POST: </strong></em><span style="font-family:georgia;">PDA's</span></span></div>Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02065862707892377458noreply@blogger.com2