Amen. It got me to thinking about the difference between straw, hay, and precious gems.
Here is the description of the bride in Revelation (being us):
The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve gems: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
The twelve gates were made of pearls--each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.
The main street is pure gold (gold representing Godly character). So it is like walking in the spirit. The entire City is made of gold as well because when you take this golden walk, your whole attidude eminates the fruit of the spirit.
The walls are made of gemstones (representing good works) built upon the foundation which is Jesus Christ. Think about a pure white pearl (on the gates). Pearls are delivered up out of the bottom of the "sea", then the hard shell is cracked open, and the pearl is brought out of darkness into the hand of the Fisherman. The twelve names of the twelve tribes written on the walls represents the new spiritual kingdom (Israel of God) created through Christ's sacrifice. What do you guys think?
It is amazing how God hides his truths behind images that will inspire greed from the carnal man, and generosity from the spiritual man.