Jerusalem we read,—"Her light was like unto a stone most precious,
land in which light has taken up its dwelling for ever! If the natural sun-beam be so very joyous, both in itself and in its influences, what must be the light from the "Father of lights" himself (James 1:17),— from the countenance of him who is "light, and in whom is no darkness at all!" (1 John 1:5.) It must be as truly the light of joy as it is the light of holiness and love.
6. It is light altogether peculiar in its brilliance.—Of the New Jerusalem we read,—"Her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal" (Rev. 21:11). What the peculiarity of this gem-like brilliance may be, we know not; but a figure such as the above evidently implies that it is light wondrously softened, even when it is intensified. All glare and hurtful keenness here disappear. It is mild and mellow, having taken on the jasperglow, the flesh-like tinge of humanity, yet retaining its crystalline transparency of lustre. It has become the fairest thing in creation, neither too wan nor too sparkling, but perfect in its structure. This same peculiar hue ascribed to the light of the City, is elsewhere noted as belonging to Christ himself,—"He that sat (upon the throne) was, to look upon, like a jasper and a sardine stone" (Rev. 4:3). The light, then, which awaits us, is that very glory which pertains so specially to the God-man—the "Word made flesh." It is not the direct glory of Godhead, but that mingled and marvellous effulgence, in part human and in part divine—in part created and in part uncreated—in part terrestrial, in part celestial—which shall, as one of the fruits of incarnation, fill the universe, pervading all things with a glory and a beauty, which, but for the assumption of manhood by the Son of God, could not have been brought into view, nor even so much as conceived of by man. Hence, while it is said of the City, "The glory of God did lighten it," it is added, "the Lamb is the light thereof" (Rev. 21:23). No light save this would suit us, even in the kingdom. What kind of light angels that never sinned may need, we know not; but no light, save this of the Lamb, would do for the redeemed from among men. It was this light of the Lamb, first seen by us when we believed, that was found to be so needful—so suitable for pouring health and peace into our souls. It was this light of the Lamb that, during our