The idea that the streets of heaven are made of gold is a common image that many Christians have regarding the nature of heaven. This concept originates from a metaphorical description found in Revelation 21:21, which says “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.”
When considering this verse and the broader context of Revelation 21-22, which offers a symbolic vision of the New Jerusalem and the new creation, it becomes clear that the language used is highly figurative. The streets and structures described are symbolic representations meant to convey the splendor, beauty, and perfection of heaven.
While heaven is portrayed as a magnificent city adorned with precious stones and metals, this does not mean there will literally be streets made of solid gold. The extravagant descriptions are more so meant to contrast the flawed and temporary nature of our current world with the perfect and eternal state that is to come. The radiance and purity of the city symbolize the presence of God, the lack of impurity, and the divine perfection of the new creation.
Several factors indicate the highly symbolic nature of this depiction:
- The city is portrayed as a giant cube, with length, width, and height all equaling 12,000 stadia each (approx. 1,400 miles). This symmetrical perfection is symbolic, not literal.
- Gates made of single enormous pearls and streets of transparent gold are impossible in a literal sense.
- The cubed city has no temple building, because God Himself dwells there. This conveys God’s immediate presence, not an actual templeless city.
- The city does not need sun or moon because God’s glory illuminates it. Again, symbolic language conveying perfection.
Considering these clearly non-literal features, it follows that the gold streets should also be understood symbolically, not literally. The extravagance and purity of gold points to the splendor, beauty, and perfection of heaven in God’s presence. It is symbolic language used to highlight contrasts between our current fallen world and the world to come.
Furthermore, the focus of Revelation 21-22 is conveying theological truths about eternity with God, not offering a literal architectural blueprint of the New Jerusalem. It utilizes imagery that would have been familiar to first century readers to highlight God’s glory, purity, and eternal presence with His people. This genre of writing frequently uses symbolic language, numbers, and measurements to convey deeper spiritual truths.
Additionally, the broader teaching of Scripture about eternity focuses on God’s presence, glorified bodies, rewards, holiness, and being made new. The physical details of the new creation are not major concerns. The Bible consistently directs our hope towards being with God forever, not the material composition of the new heavens and earth.
In summary, the gold streets in Revelation 21:21 should be understood as symbolic language used to highlight the incredible beauty, splendor and purity of heaven. It contrasts our current fallen world with the perfection and glory of eternity with God. There is no reason to take the language literally, as the genre and broader context make it clear that this is a symbolic vision conveying spiritual truths about heaven in symbolic language. The radiance and value of gold points to the magnificence believers will experience in God’s presence, not literal gold roads.
Old Testament Background
The concept of heaven having streets of gold also has links to Old Testament prophetic passages that use similar symbolic language. Isaiah 60:17 says “Instead of bronze I will bring gold, and silver in place of iron.” The context is a prophecy about the restoration and glorification of Jerusalem after exile. The precious metals figuratively convey splendor, value, and blessing.
In Isaiah 30:23, the prophet says restored Israel will be abundantly fertile, “then will the lambs graze as in their pasture, and nomads will eat among the ruins of the rich”. Again, the language highlights prosperity. The streets of gold in Revelation 21 draws on these Old Testament prophetic images using hyperbolic language to underscore the surpassing glory of the new creation.
Ezekiel 40-48 also contains a lengthy vision about a new temple, system of worship, and city. It parallels Revelation 21 in using measurements, precious metals and stones, and symmetry to convey the glorious eternal blessings in store for God’s people. For example, Ezekiel describes a huge bronze altar overlaid with gold (Ezekiel 43:13-17). This shows the symbolic usage of precious metals to convey value and glory, which ultimately finds culmination in the New Jerusalem’s streets of gold.
Therefore, the concept of the New Jerusalem having streets of gold is rooted in Old Testament prophetic language using precious metals in a figurative way to underscore the surpassing value, blessing, and glory that God will bestow on His people in the new creation.
New Testament Fulfillment
A key perspective on the symbolic streets of gold in Revelation 21 is that it represents the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and expectations. Revelation presents the vision of the New Jerusalem and new creation as the consummation of all God promised His people. The prophecies of hope, restoration, and future blessing find ultimate realization in eternity with God.
The book repeatedly ties the vision to Old Testament concepts and prophecy. For example, Revelation 21:3 says “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” This echoes a key covenant promise to Israel in Exodus 6:7, conveying God’s intimate presence.
The twelve gates in Revelation 21:12-13 represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The city’s enormous size and symmetrical perfection fulfill Isaiah 54:2-3’s prophecy for Israel to enlarge their tent and lengthen their cords. The streets of gold build on Isaiah 60:17-18’s promise that Israel will no longer have silver and gold replaced with bronze and iron, implying great prosperity.
Therefore, the gold streets resonate with Old Testament prophecies of restoration and idealized blessing for Israel. Revelation presents these promises as ultimately fulfilled in the new creation. The New Jerusalem represents the climax of all that was hoped for and promised to God’s people under the Old Covenant.
The gold streets specifically fulfill Isaiah 60:17’s promise that gold would replace bronze. This symbolized a reversal of Israel’s plight in exile and restoration to blessing. Now, in the consummate new creation, gold fittingly features prominently to signify the fullness of eternal blessing reserved for the people of God. What was promised symbolically to Israel is brought to complete fulfillment for the church.
Furthermore, the entire vision of Revelation 21-22 is the culmination of Scripture’s overarching narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation. The initial garden sanctuary is expanded into a magnificent city that fills the entire renewed world, signifying that God’s original purpose for communion with humanity will be consummated. The flourishing garden morphs into a dazzling jewel-filled city, underscoring that God’s redemptive plans have come to pass. The streets of gold underscore the lavish eternal blessedness waiting for believers.
In summary, the gold streets of the New Jerusalem resonate with Old Testament prophetic symbolism and represent the fulfillment of God’s restoration promises to His people. This fulfillment is brought to wondrous culmination in the new creation’s magnificent capital city, picturing the full blessings of eternal life in God’s presence.
A Glimpse of Heaven’s Splendor
While not literal golden roads, the image of streets of gold in Revelation 21 provides a glimpse of the incredible splendor, beauty, and preciousness of the new creation under Christ’s eternal reign. It is a symbol of the most glorious of earthly metals used to point to the indescribable glory that awaits believers in heaven.
As gold was the most precious and brilliant metal known in the ancient world, it becomes a fitting representation of the stunning brilliance of the New Jerusalem. The radiant, transparent gold conveys the surpassing value of heaven compared to anything we know on earth. The glow and luster of gold captures just a fraction of the breathtaking glory that shines from God’s presence.
In ancient cities,broad streets were indicators of prominence, majesty, and importance. A key thoroughfare paved in gold highlights the eminent significance of the New Jerusalem. This eminent capital city of the new creation far surpasses the glory of any earthly city.
Furthermore, in the first century gold often symbolized deities and divine beings. Paving the divine city’s streets with gold emphasizes that this is the locus of God’s presence and glory. The dazzling splendor fittingly represents the kingdom of the divine King of Kings.
The streets of gold indicate that the New Jerusalem is both infinitely precious and brilliant. Its value is immeasurable, exceeding any earthly riches. The radiance of its glory outshines the sun. This splendor is meant to provoke awe and yearning in believers. It represents the glorious future hope awaiting them when Christ returns.
While the language cannot fully capture the transcendent glory of heaven, the symbol of streets of gold gestures toward its unfathomable beauty. It is meant to stir our imaginations and make us long for our true heavenly home. This eye-catching imagery gives believers just a trace of insight into magnificent realm that Christ is preparing for us.
Theificance of Heaven’s Splendor
Beyond conveying heaven’s glory, the symbol of the New Jerusalem’s streets of gold underscores some key biblical truths about eternity:
- Heaven is a place of indescribable beauty, perfection, and treasures. It far surpasses anything we have known or can imagine.
- God graciously shares His glory and splendor with His people. We are welcomed into His magnificent presence.
- Heaven is a secure, prosperous city, in contrast to the vulnerability and instability of earthly cities.
- The richness of heaven signifies that believers will be lavished with blessings, honor, and rewards.
- God’s people are headed for a brilliant, radiant future with Christ their King and His kingdom.
- Heaven will be a place of purity where sin, death, and imperfection are banished.
These theological truths give believers hope and perspective amid life’s trials. Focusing on the preciousness of heaven motivates perseverance, worship, generosity, and evangelism. The prospect of streets of gold reminds us that the greatest glories are yet to come for those who trust in Christ. It points to the infinite blessings awaiting us when we reach our heavenly home.
A Call to Holy Living
Revelation 21:1-22:5 not only describes the glory of heaven but also sets ethical expectations for believers. After describing the New Jerusalem’s splendor, Revelation 22:14 offers a serious exhortation: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.”
This urgent call to purity of life comes immediately after the images of the glorious city with streets of gold. The passage makes clear that morally compromised people will be excluded from heaven (Revelation 21:7-8). Only those cleansed by Christ’s blood will inhabit the New Jerusalem.
Therefore, the heavenly city with radiant golden streets is not just a future hope but also a present call to holiness. The prospect of heaven’s glories motivates Christians to live godly lives in this present age. The streets of gold inspire reverence for God and careful obedience to His Word.
By pairing the heavenly city with warnings against immorality, Revelation 21-22 makes clear that Christian ethics cannot be separated from future hope. Believers are called to lives of righteousness and purity because their eternal destination is the dazzling holy city.
So the symbol of streets of gold not only provides a glimpse of heavenly glory. It also inspires holy living in the present age in anticipation of that coming glory. Our future home transforms how we live now.
Longing for our Heavenly Home
The image of the New Jerusalem with streets of transparent gold reminds believers that this present world is not their final home. As Hebrews 13:14 articulates, “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” The glorious city with gold streets represents that enduring city to come.
This future hope inspires longing in Christians, as the author of Hebrews expresses: “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16). The prospect of an eternal city designed by God Himself nurtures holy discontentment with our imperfect current existence.
The contrast between the brokenness of this present age and the glory of the coming age creates longing for our heavenly home. Knowing that breathtaking eternal riches await us reorients our values and priorities. It loosens the grip earthly treasures have on our hearts. The brief glimpse of the city’s beauty makes us yearn for more.
So while not literal, the image of streets of gold still carries rich meaning for believers today. It points us to the glory of God’s presence and the incomprehensible blessings awaiting us. This magnificent future hope guards us from worldliness, inspires holiness, and creates eternal perspective amid temporary trials. The radiant golden streets beckon us to long for our true heavenly home.