Man's Interpretation of the Divine

[Minor Axis]

If you want to get an idea of problem with human beings describing the divine, take a quick look at Relevation 21 and a description of a city from heaven made up of jewels and gold. While jewels and gold could be metaphors for the indescribable value of heaven and may have a great impact on the faithful, I find this description to be demeaning to what I describe as "good values". Value should be applied to human character, not dreaming of surrounding ourselves with physical wealth especially in a spiritual setting. This is a good example of why those seeking spiritual truth should regard ancient scripts with skepticism.

18The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[d] 21The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.