GOLD has been sought after by men in every age and clime. For gold, men have toiled and died. Lives have been spent in its accumulation, only to be left to others to waste or to spend. For this precious metal, men have left home, family, and country, taken long journeys, suffered many privations, only to see it slip through their fingers at the last. Rightly used it has been of real service. Energies have been quickened, geniuses brought to light, businesses developed, commerce extended, and hitherto unknown countries awakened into existence.

Gold is the first and last metal mentioned in the Bible. The term comes from the Hebrew Zahab, which means "to shine." Its name is most appropriate seeing that there is no other metal which more endurably and faithfully reflects the glory of the sun. The yellow central portion of the spectrum, is observed emanating from both. The sun is a precious symbol of the great Eternal (Psalm 84: 11), and gold reasonably betokens those characteristics which are most like that living source of Life. The metal is mentioned throughout the Scriptures in connection with things divine. The golden vials, the golden lampstand, the golden table of shewbread, the golden altar of incense, the golden crown, and the golden breastplate with its precious jewels: also the ark of the testimony with its lid and cherubims of fine beaten gold. The metal found at the mines is usually attached to many impurities and alloys, it therefore needs the watchful care of the refiner, who gradually and carefully burns away the dross. Thus it is with that saintly class whom the Lord is selecting and refining, that they may offer an offering in righteousness (Mal. 3. 1-4).

God knows the metal which can stand the test,
He's seeking the purest of gold,
From earthly mines to His palace of rest
Where ages of glory unfold.

So let it gleam in a splendour of light,
As it mirrors the form above !
Till the gold is pure and shining and bright,
Reflecting His infinite love.

When the patriarch Job saw the meaning of his terrible experiences, he gave an exclamation of triumph, "He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23. 10). Likewise the apostle Peter reminds the suffering Christian, that the trial of his faith is much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire (1 Peter 1.7).

Figuratively speaking, God has had his "vessels of gold" down through the age. As THESE have declared His praises and been loyal to the principles of truth, men have despised and hated them. Jesus foretold this in the following words, "The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also" (John 15.20). The apostle, when addressing the murderers of Jesus, said, "I want that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers" (Acts 3.17). It is clearly God's will that the true saints are hidden from the eyes of men. Many have been looked upon as heretics by those who also have taken to themselves the name of Christ, and who usually lead a self-satisfied kind of life. This condition of affairs was pictured long ago through the prophet, "How is gold become dim! how is most fine gold changed! The hallowed stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. The precious sons of Zion are comparable to fine gold. How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!" (Lam.4.1-2).

Great is the difference between the Lord's true people, and those who are lukewarm with respect to spiritual truth. The message to the church of the Laodiceans (Rev. 3. 14-21), is today particularly applicable. The Lord exhorts His people in the following words, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed—As many as I love I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Happy they, who are feasting on the wonderful viands (victuals) of truth, due at this time. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matt. 5: 6).

Gold is amazingly ductile and malleable. It is capable of being beaten out into sheets so fine, that it would take a quarter of a million to produce an inch in thickness. One ounce of pure gold may cover an area of 1466 square feet providing it is thin enough. Gold lace is often made of gold wire, so finely attenuated, that a mile of it would weigh an ounce. Thus is illustrated the vast and extensive powers of divinity. He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. He opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing. He is the source of all life and potentiality, and His glory floods the universe. His power is ever within His grasp. He has only to say the word and He could gather unto Himself his spirit of life, and all flesh would cease to exist (Job 34.14-15).

With marvellous condescension the beneficent Creator has promised to grant to a select number of human beings an opportunity to become sharers of His own intrinsic nature. "Whereby are given unto us, exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might become partakers of the divine nature"(2 Peter 1. 4). Possessed with immortality and those glorious dispositions of mercy, justice, goodness, kindness, fortitude and love, these chosen heirs will be well able to bless and uplift the whole world of mankind, from degradation and shame. O hail this day of grace and judgment,—"Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world!" (1 Cor.6.2). This company of saints will constitute the Holy City the central figure being the Lord Jesus "who...by the grace of God tasted death for every man" (Heb.2.9).

"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven… saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God." (Rev.21:2-3). The city is likened unto "pure gold...and the glory of God enlightens it, and the Lamb is the light thereof, and the nations...shall walk in the light of it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory...into it" (Rev.21.18,24).

Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest ;
Beneath thy contemplation, sink heart and voice opprest.
I know not, oh, I know not, what holy joys are there :
What radiancy and glory, what bliss beyond compare !

They stand those halls of Zion, all jubilant with song,
And bright with many an angel, and all the martyr throng,
There is the throne of David, and there from toil released,
The shout of them that triumph, the song of them that feast,
And they who with their Leader, have conquered in the fight,
For ever and forever are clad in robes of white.
O land that see'st no sorrow! O state that fear'st no strife!
O royal land of flowers ! O realm and home of life.

A word in conclusion with reference to copper, which so often occurs in the Scriptures under the name of brass (by the way brass is an alloy, while copper is a pure metal). Copper has some resemblance to gold, but is more ruddy and by no means so precious. We are reminded that Adam whose name signifies "of the ruddy earth" was made in the mental. and moral likeness of his Maker (Gen.1.26). In the Bible, copper denotes humanity or human conditions. The altar in the court of the tabernacle was overlaid with this metal and shows how the sacrificing priests were subject to human conditions. The laver depicted the same truth and this was made from the copper mirrors, used by the women of Israel (Exo. 38. 1-8). The most striking use of this metal was the serpent of copper made by Moses in the wilderness (Num. 21. 9). This depicted the humanity of Jesus "made sin," "and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3.14-15).

FL