Tag Archives: New Jerusalem

Streets of Gold and Golden Birds

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Gold Nugget ©Zimbabwe

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21 NKJV)

With the Precious Stones of the Foundations of the New Jerusalem completed, it is interesting to look at the next verse. The twelve stones were mentioned in Revelation 21:19,20. Yet, in the next verse two more precious stones or minerals are mentioned. Gold and Pearls.

Gold Stone in Ring

In my e-Sword program, the search for “gold” turned up 393 verses found, 451 matches. We won’t quote all of these verse. Gold must be mighty important to be mentioned that many times. When times turn bad, even today, people try to purchase and keep gold, because it is so valuable.

Yet, the Creator of gold, is making streets of pure gold in the New Jerusalem. WOW!! It is going to be beyond description.

Natural Gold Rutilated Quartz Crystal©Amazon

“They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” (Proverbs 8:9-11 NKJV)

There have been quite a few articles about birds with Gold in their name, yet we will show some of them here for you to enjoy God’s Creative Hand at work on these avian wonders.

 

Two Other Gold Bird posts:

Christmas Birds – Silver and Gold 2013

Christmas Birds – Gold 2013

Pastor Jerry Smith – Testimony

 

Pearly Gates and Pearly Birds

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The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21 NKJV)

With the Precious Stones of the Foundations of the New Jerusalem completed, it is interesting to look at the next verse. The twelve stones were mentioned in Revelation 21:19,20. Yet, in the next verse two more precious stones or minerals are mentioned; Gold and Pearls.

It says that each gate was all one pearl. As I told a friend recently, I would have liked to see the size of that oyster!

American Oystercatcher (Conserve Wildlife Foundation photo)

Better yet, to see an Oystercatcher pick it up THAT OYSTER, like this one. All kidding aside, can you image a pearl large enough to be a whole gate? That is amazing and only God, the Creator could do that.

We have already produced a few articles about Pearls:

Avian And Attributes – Pearl

Birds in Hymns – He The Pearly Gates Will Open

Freshwater clam with cultivated pearls ©WikiC

Freshwater clam with cultivated pearls ©WikiC

Pearled Treerunner (Margarornis squamiger) ©WikiC

“Heaven has gates; there is a free admission to all that are sanctified; they shall not find themselves shut out. These gates were all of pearls. Christ is the Pearl of great price, and he is our Way to God. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. The saints in heaven tread gold under foot. The saints are there at rest, yet it is not a state of sleep and idleness; they have communion, not only with God, but with one another. All these glories but faintly represent heaven.” [Matthew Henry Concise Commentary]

Pearly-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila pileata) by Dario Sanches

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45,46 KJV)

None of the birds have Pearl as it’s last name, but here are birds that have Pearl at the beginning of their names:

Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii)
Pearl-bellied White-eye (Zosterops grayi)
Pearl-breasted Swallow (Hirundo dimidiata)
Pearled Treerunner (Margarornis squamiger)
Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum)
Pearly Antshrike (Megastictus margaritatus)
Pearly Parakeet (Pyrrhura lepida)
Pearly-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila pileata)
Pearly-breasted Conebill (Conirostrum margaritae)
Pearly-breasted Cuckoo (Coccyzus euleri)
Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus)
Pearly-vented Tody-Tyrant (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer)

These birds were included because they like to catch oysters as their name implies:

Oystercatcher, African
Oystercatcher, American
Oystercatcher, Black
Oystercatcher, Blackish
Oystercatcher, Canary Islands
Oystercatcher, Chatham
Oystercatcher, Eurasian
Oystercatcher, Magellanic
Oystercatcher, Pied
Oystercatcher, Sooty
Oystercatcher, South Island
Oystercatcher, Variable

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Wages or a Gift

It’s A Wrap – New Jerusalem’s Twelve Foundation Stones

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12 Foundations of the New Jerusalem ©YouTube

It’s A Wrap – New Jerusalem’s Twelve Foundation Stones.

“10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.” (Revelation 21:10, 18-20)

On February 16th, this journey or series was started. The last foundational stone, Amethyst, was introduced on April 11th. Trust you have enjoyed this series as much as I did putting it together. For those of you who have followed along, are you as amazed as I am about how beautiful the foundations of the New Jerusalem are going to be? Wow!

What was presented is no way near as beautiful as what we will be seeing in person. It was a human attempt to try to present these gorgeous stones and our fabulously Created Avian Wonders from our Lord. Here is a review of what the different stones are and the articles that went with this series.

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Jasper

Kaleidoscope Jasper from Oregon ©WikiC

Ringed Teal (Callonetta leucophrys) ©WikiC

Heavens New Jerusalem and Birds – Sapphire

Sapphire Gem ©WikiC

Sapphire Flycatcher (Ficedula sapphira) ©WikiC

Heavens New Jerusalem and Birds – Chalcedony

Lavendar Blue Chalcedony ©Mineral_net

Lavender Waxbill (Estrilda caerulescens) ©WikiC

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Emerald

Emerald from (Muzo Mine Boyaca Colombie) ©WikiC

Coppery-headed Emerald by Ray

Coppery-headed Emerald by Ray

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Colors

How Are We Reflecting God’s Light?

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Sardonyx

Red onyx – Handicraft ©WikiC

Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)(White-winged) by Raymond Barlow

Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)(White-winged) by Raymond Barlow

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Sardius

Sardius Stone ©Pinterest

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - ©WikiC

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) – ©WikiC

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Chrysolite

Chrysolite Forsterite-Olivine ©WikiC

Yellow-green Grosbeak (Caryothraustes canadensis) ©WikiC

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Beryl

Three Colors of Beryl ©WikiC

Beryl-spangled Tanager (Tangara nigroviridis cyanescens) ©BirdPhotos.com

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Topaz

Topaz From Brazil-©NaturhistorischesMuseum-WikiC

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) ©WikiC

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Chrysoprase

Chrysoprase_(Australia) ©WikiC

Green-honeycreeper by Wilds

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Jacinth

Jacinth from Pakistan ©WikiC

Red Pileated Finch (Coryphospingus cucullatus) ©WikiC

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds –  Amethyst

Amethyst cut ©WikiCLor

Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina) by Dario Sanches male

Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina) by Dario Sanches male

Will you be there to see the glorious event happen?

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.” (Revelation 21:1-6 NKJV)

Good News Tracts

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Amethyst

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Amethyst cut ©WikiC

Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina) by Dario Sanches male

Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina) by Dario Sanches male

“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, …. the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:19a-20 NKJV)

We have finally arrived at the last of the precious stones that will makeup the twelve foundations of New Jerusalem. I trust you have enjoyed finding out about these stones and birds that are similar in color or name. There have been many close matches and some where I missed trying to figure out what to use. Yet, you still had a chance to meet some beautiful and interesting birds from our Creator.

Amethyst ©WikiC

Amethyst. A clear quartz crystal that ranges in color from a faint purple tint to an intense purple. [NKJV MacArthur Study Bible]

Amethyst ©WikiC

Amethyst It is a pale-blue crystallized quartz, varying to a dark purple blue. It is found in Persia and India, also in different parts of Europe. [Easton Bible Dictionary]

Amethyst-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus_amethysticollis) ©WikiC

Amethyst. (Hebrew, achlamah). A subspecies of quartz of a bluish-violet color. Mention is made of this precious stone, which formed the third in the third row of the high priestly breastplate, in Exo_28:19; Exo_39:12. It occurs also in Rev_21:20.

Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)-(Amethyst) ©©

Amethyst (Gr.: amethustos)—its color is purple. Although the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia lists it as a ruby, Robertson gives the color as purple. [J. Vernon McGee]

Hartlaub's Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi) ©WikiC

Hartlaub’s Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi) ©WikiC

White-crested Turaco (Tauraco leucolophus) ©WikiC

Other Articles In This Series:

Good News Tracts

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Jacinth

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Jacinth ©WikiC

Purple Finch-male.photo-MoDept Conservation

“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, …. the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:19a-20 NKJV)

 

Jacinth from Pakistan ©WikiC

Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) ©Arthur Grosset

Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) ©Arthur Grosset

Jacinth. Today this stone is a transparent zircon, usually red or reddish-brown. The one John saw was blue or shining violet in color. [NKJV MacArthur Study Bible]

Jacinth from Pakistan ©WikiC

Red Pileated Finch (Coryphospingus cucullatus) ©WikiC

Jacinth – The word υακινθος, signifies hyacinth, and this, as a colour, is a deep purple. In Rev_9:17the horsemen had breastplates of fire, jacinth, and brimstone, which seem to imply flashes of coloured light. In Rev_21:20 the jacinth garnishes the eleventh foundation of the heavenly Jerusalem. It is supposed by some to be the same as the ligure. The Greek word occurs in the LXX in Ex 25:4 26:1 , &c., but is translated ‘blue.’ [Concise Bible Dictionary]

Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) Cincinnati Zoo 9-5-13 by Lee

Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) by Lee

Jacinth. A precious stone, forming one of the foundations of the walls of the new Jerusalem. Rev_21:20. Called hyacinth, in the Revised Version. This is simply a different English rendering of the same Greek original. It is probably identical with the lighure of Exo_28:19.
The jacinth or hyacinth is a red variety of zircon, which is found in square prisms of a white, gray, red, reddish-brown, yellow or pale-green color. The expression in Rev_9:17, “of jacinth,” is descriptive simply of a dark-purple color. [Smith Bible Dictionary]

Purple Glossy Starling of Tanzania aka Purple Starling

Jacinth Properly a flower of a reddish blue or deep purple (hyacinth), and hence a precious stone of that colour… (Rev_21:20). [Easton Bible Dictionary]

Reddish Egret in a rural Pondshore at Summer Rekefest

Jacinth (Gr.: huakinthi)—its color is violet. It is the color of the hyacinth. Pliny gives the color as violet. [J. Vernon McGee]

Other Articles In This Series:

Wages or a Gift?

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Chrysoprase

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Chrysoprase_(Australia) ©WikiC

“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, …. the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:19a-20 NKJV)

Green-honeycreeper by Wilds

We are now up to the tenth precious stone layer of the New Jerusalem. Wow!! So far, all the colors of the stones and birds have been beautiful. And remember, the colors we have been showing, will be so much more spectacular in heaven!

Fruit Green Apple

Green Apples

Chrysoprase (n.) An apple-green variety of chalcedony, colored by nickel. It has a dull flinty luster, and is sometimes used in jewelry.

Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons) by Nikhil Devasar

Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons) by Nikhil Devasar

Chrysoprasus Golden leek, a precious stone of the colour of leek’s juice, a greenish-golden colour (Rev_21:20). [Easton’s Bible Dict.]

Purple Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes caeruleus) Female ©WikiC

CHRYSOPRASE, CHRYSOPRASUS Light-green variety of chalcedony mentioned as one the gems in foundation wall new Jerusalem… [ILumina]

Chryzopraz – Szklary, (Poland) ©WikiC

Revelation 21:20 “a chrysoprase is greenish and transparent, with gold specks;” [John Wesley notes]

Golden-eared Tanager (Tangara chrysotis) ©WikiC

While searching the Birds of the World database, the first part of this stone’s name, “chrysop” listed many birds with a yellow color, but none with Chrysoprase. So, enjoy the birds, whether are a perfect match or not. All 10,700 plus of the birds are a fantastic gift for us from their Creator.

Chrysoprase_(Australia) ©WikiC
Green-honeycreeper by Wilds
Green-headed Tanager (Tangara seledon) by Dario Sanches
Fruit Green Apple
Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) female by Ian
Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) Female ©BirdPhotos.com
Grey-capped Greenfinch (Chloris sinica) ©WikiC
Green Jay (Cyanocorax luxuosus) by S Slayton
Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) ©none
Chryzopraz – Szklary, (Poland) ©WikiC
Yellow-green Grosbeak (Caryothraustes canadensis) ©WikiC
Golden-eared Tanager (Tangara chrysotis) ©WikiC
Asian Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx maculatus) by Nikhil Devasar
Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons) by Nikhil
Green Apples
Greater Yellownape (Chrysophlegma flavinucha) female Zoo Miami by Lee
Yellow Honeyeater (Lichenostomus flavus) by Ian
Southern Yellowthroat (Geothlypis velata) ©WikiC
Greenish Schiffornis (Schiffornis virescens) ©WikiC

Other Articles In This Series:

Wages or a Gift?

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Topaz

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Topaz ©Flickr James St John

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) ©WikiC

“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, …. the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:19a-20 NKJV)

Topaz is a bit more common than Sardonyx, Sardius, and Chrysolite. Plus, there are birds with Topaz in their names. So this ninth stone of the foundation of the New Jerusalem should be easier to discover. Topaz is mentioned in five verse in the Bible: Exodus 28,17, 39:10; Job 28:19 [topaz of Ethiopia], Ezekiel 28:13, and our verse above – Revelation 21:20.

Quartz-Topaz-gem ©WikiC

Topaz – TO’PAZ, n. [Gr.] A mineral, said to be so called from Topazos, a small isle in the Arabic gulf, where the Romans obtained a stone which they called by this name, but which is the chrysolite of the moderns. The topaz is of a yellowish color. It sometimes occurs in masses, but more generally crystallized in rectangular octahedrons. Topaz is valued as a gem or precious stone, and is used in jewelry. It consists of silex, fluoric acid and alumin, in the following proportions; alumin 57 parts, silex 34, and fluoric acid 7 or 8.
Of topaz there are three subspecies, common topaz, shorlite and physalite. [Webster Dictionary 1828]

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Reflection ©Flickr Budgora

Topaz – topazion (G5116) is mentioned in Rev_21:20, as the ninth of the foundation stones of the wall of the heavenly Jerusalem; the stone is of a yellow color (though there are topazes of other colors) and is almost as hard as the diamond. It has the power of double refraction, and when heated or rubbed becomes electric. [Vines New Testament]

Fiery Topaz (Topaza pyra) ©WikiC

Saffron Finch Zoo Miami by Dan (Cropped by Lee)

Topaz From Brazil-©NaturhistorischesMuseum-WikiC

Saffron Finch Zoo Miami by Dan

Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) male ©WikiC

Crimson Topaz (Topaza pella) ©WikiC

Bird-Wings-Wing-Colored-Ara-Parrot-©Maxpixel

Other Articles In This Series:

What will you do with Jesus?

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Beryl

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Rough Cut Beryl ©Flickr Amanda

“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, …. the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:19a-20 NKJV)

Three Colors of Beryl ©WikiC

BER’YL,n. [L.beryllus; Eng.brilliant.]
A mineral, considered by Cleaveland as a subspecies of Emerald. Its prevailing color is green of various shades,but always pale. Its crystals are usually longer and larger than those of the precious emerald, and its structure more distinctly foliated. It is harder than the apatite,with which it has been confounded; harder and less heavy than the pycnite. The best beryls are found in Brazil, in Siberia and Ceylon, and in Dauria, on the frontiers of China. They are found in many parts of the United States. [Webster Dictionary 1828]

Water Summer Beach Sea Blue/green Ocean Nature ©Max Pixel

Beryl – berullos (G969), “beryl,” is a precious stone of a sea-green color, Rev_21:20 (cf. Exo_28:20). [Vine’s]

Faceted aquamarine ©WikiC

Beryl is a mineral of great hardness, and, when transparent, of much beauty. …probably the mineral now called beryl, which is identical with the emerald except in color, being a light green or bluish-green. [Smith’s Bible Dictionary]

Beryl ©WikiC

beryl — of a sea-green color. [Jamieson-Fausset-Brown]

I believe that most of these references are in agreement that the color is a light green, leaning toward “sea-green.” So, let’s see what birds we can find of that sort of color.

There are actually two birds with Beryl in their first names:

The Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina),

Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) ©WikiC

Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) ©WikiC

And the Beryl-spangled Tanager.

Beryl-spangled Tanager (Tangara nigroviridis cyanescens) ©BirdPhotos.com

Beryl-spangled Tanager (Tangara nigroviridis cyanescens) ©BirdPhotos.com

Or another shot from below the bird:

Beryl-spangled Tanager (Tangara nigroviridis) ©Flickr Oldenettel

Also, there is one bird that has beryl… in its scientific name. Now this one matches what I take a sea-green. Do you agree?

Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus) ©WikiC

Articles in this Series so far:

Wordless Birds – With Hummingbirds

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Chrysolite

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Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons) by Nikhil Devasar

Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons) by Nikhil Devasar

“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, …. the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:19a-20 NKJV)

Olive Green Chrysolite ©WikiC

Chrysolite Forsterite-Olivine ©WikiC

Chrysolite is only mentioned one time in Scripture, here in Revelation 21:20.

Golden Tanager (Tangara arthus) ©WikiC

Chrysolite – (“gold stone“.) The garniture of the seventh foundation of New Jerusalem. The modern topaz. [Fausset Bible Dictionary]

Chrysolite – Chrysolite. One of the precious stones in the foundation of the heavenly Jerusalem. Rev_21:20. It has been already stated, (see Beryl.), that the chrysolite of the ancients is identical with the modern oriental topaz, or the tarhish of the Hebrew Bible. [Smith Bible Dictionary]

Glistening-green Tanager (Chlorochrysa phoenicotis) ©WikiC

Chrysolite – CHRYSOLITE, n. A mineral, called by Hauy and Brongniart, peridote and by Jameson, prismatic chrysolite. Its prevailing color is some shade of green. It is harder than glass, but less hard than quartz; often transparent, sometimes only translucent. It occurs sometimes in crystals, sometimes in small amorphous masses or grains, and sometimes in rolled pieces. [Webster Dict 1828]

Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) Male Immature ©BirdPhotos.com

CHRYSOLITE, n. A mineral, called by Hauy and Brongniart, peridote and by Jameson, prismatic chrysolite. Its prevailing color is some shade of green. It is harder than glass, but less hard than quartz; often transparent, sometimes only translucent. It occurs sometimes in crystals, sometimes in small amorphous masses or grains, and sometimes in rolled pieces. [J. Vernon McGee]

Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) Male ©© NotMicroButSoft

Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) Male ©© NotMicroButSoft

The seventh was chrysolite, a stone highly esteemed among the ancients, of a colour that was golden yellow. [Popular New Testament]

Looks like this time, the golden yellow, or Green birds, or a blend of the two colors will provides us with some of the beauty that will shine from the seventh foundational stone.

Articles in this Series so far:

What will you do with Jesus?

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Sardius

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Sardius Stone ©Pinterest

“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, …. the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:19a-20 NKJV)

Cornelian Stones ©Etsy

What color is this Sardius stone, the sixth foundation layer for the New Jerusalem?

Sardius (n.) A precious stone, probably a carnelian, one of which was set in Aaron’s breastplate. [Webster Dict. 113

“The sixth, sardius; the same with the sardine stone, Rev_4:3 of a blood colour, and what is commonly called a cornelian: it is found in Sardinia, from whence it has its name, and in Bohemia and Silesia, though those of Babylon are the best. This was Reuben’s stone.” [John Gill’s Exposition]

Two polished pebbles of carnelian_sard ©WikiC

“Sardius – Sardius. (red). (Hebrew, odem). The stone which occupied the first place in the first row of the high priest’s breastplate. Exo_28:27. The sard, which is probably the stone denoted by odem, is a superior variety of agate, sometimes called camelian, and has long been a favorite stone for the engraver’s art. Sardis differ in color: there is a bright-red variety, and, perhaps, the Hebrew, odem, from a root means “to be red,” points to this kind.” [Smith’s Bible Dictionary]

“6. Sardius (Gr.: sardios)—its color is fiery red. Pliny says that it is the red stone from Sardis. Swete says that it is fiery red.” [J. Vernon McGee]

Those four Commentary and Dictionary definitions are all much saying the same; Red, Blood Red, or Fiery Red.  Before I start finding photos of birds, many are already on my mind. Especially the Northern Cardinal:

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) - WikiC

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) ©WikiC

This should be easy finding photos to match the color of this sixth foundation. Of course, what we’ll see in heaven, will exceed these beyond anything we can imagine!!!

10 Stunning Red Colored Birds

Articles in this Series so far:

What will you do with Jesus?

Heaven’s New Jerusalem and Birds – Sardonyx

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Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)(White-winged) by Raymond Barlow

Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)(White-winged) by Raymond Barlow

“The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, …. the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.” (Revelation 21:19a-20 NKJV)

While searching for material on these foundation stones, this article caught my attention. It appears that Cindy had the same questions as we are trying to figure out. I believe her blog is inactive, but this is still posted. Precious Jewels by Cindy. She had this chart with 12 stones of the foundations.

12 Jewels Foundation New Jerusalem ©Sundayswithcindy

“Pretty impressive, isn’t it? Actually, it will exceed far beyond what our human minds can even conceive when we try to imagine the beauty and magnificence of that holy city. I Corinthians 2:9 tells us, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
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“My curiosity was up, though, when it came to those precious gemstones. What were their colors? How would they look all sandwiched together? I knew I could not begin to imagine the scope of its beauty, but at least I wanted to get some glimpse of what it might appear to be. I mean, we can try to imagine the pearly gates, and even the streets of pure gold although the Bible says the pure gold will be like transparent glass, but the foundation of all those beautifully colored jewels? Ahh—how lovely to have the world at our fingertips via the Internet! In a matter of seconds, my curiosity about the precious gemstones of the foundation was satisfied!” [Bolding added]

Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx) ©WikiC

Through the rest of her article, she discovered what I am finding. Names of those stones are not the same today. So, if these birds aren’t a perfect match, please forgive us.
There are no birds with the name of “sardonyx” in it, but the two tones of red seems interesting enough to try to find some birds like that.  All the translations I searched have either Sardonyx or just Onyx. [There are a few birds with ONYX in their scientific name[

Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) ©Flickr Fernando Flores

Here are what some of the study Bibles and commentaries say:
NKJV MacArthur Study Bible – “ sardonyx. A variety of chalcedony with parallel layers of red and white”
KJ Study Bible Notes – ” sardonyx is red and white”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown – “sardonyx — a gem having the redness of the cornelian, and the whiteness of the onyx.”
IBS – “Sardonyx – White stone with red layers.
John Gill – “The fifth, sardonyx,…. Which is partly of the sardian, and partly of the onyx stone, which resembles a man’s nail, from whence it has its name; it is reddish, bordering on white; it may be thought to answer to the onyx in the breastplate, on which was written the name of Joseph.”

Australian Logrunner (Orthonyx temminckii) by Ian

So with all of these, looks like there must be some reddish and white birds around somewhere. Let’s see what we can find:

Cape Longclaw (Macronyx capensis) ©WikiC

I still haven’t found what I was hoping to find. This next bird is getting closer.

Rosy-throated Longclaw (Macronyx ameliae) ©WikiC

But this is the color of most sardonyx they show on the internet:

Red onyx – Handicraft ©WikiC

Have you seen any birds like that? Let me see what we have already shown here on the blog.

Red-throated Twinspot (Hypargos niveoguttatus) ©WikiC

None of these absolutely match our Sardonyx stone, but are they amazing Avian Wonders from their creator?

Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) by Ian
Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) ©Flickr Fernando Flores
Ocellated Tapaculo (Acropternis orthonyx) ©WikiC
Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) ©WikiC
Abyssinian Longclaw (Macronyx flavicollis) ©WikiC
Abyssinian Longclaw (Macronyx flavicollis) ©WikiC
Australian Logrunner (Orthonyx temminckii) by Ian
Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) ©WikiC
Cape Longclaw (Macronyx capensis) ©WikiC
Cape Longclaw or Orange-throated Longclaw, Macronyx capensis
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) by J Fenton
Rosy-throated Longclaw (Macronyx ameliae) ©WikiC
Red onyx – Handicraft ©WikiC
12 Jewels Foundaion New Jerusalem ©Sundayswithcindy
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER photo credit: Helena Reynolds / Audubon Field Guide
NORTHERN FLICKER (red-shafted form) photo credit: Evergreen State College
Red-cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) ©WikiC
Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata) ©WikiC
Red Warbler (Cardellina rubra) ©WikiC
Red-headed Weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps) ©WikiC
Red-crested Turaco (Tauraco erythrolophus) by Dan
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) ©Bing
Red-crested Turaco (Tauraco erythrolophus) Brevard Zoo by Lee
Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) ©WikiC
Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)(White-winged) by Raymond Barlow
Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) by Bob-Nan
Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii) by Ian
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) with Cygnets ©Broadmoor
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) by Ian
Scarlet-and-white Tanager (Chrysothlypis salmoni) ©WikiC
American Flamingo by Dan
Dan’s American Flamingo Gardens Photos
American Flamingo by Maji
Flamingo at Gatorland – 3-8-16 by Lee

*** Articles in this Series so far:

Is There a God?

How Are We Reflecting God’s Light?

by

2

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) by Judd Patterson

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) by Judd Patterson

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1 KJV)

Yesterday’s article, Precious Stones and Birds – Colors, show how light can be changed into different colors as it passes through a prism.  Also, that the Lord God, the Creator of all we see here on earth is the source of light. Today you will see how light reflecting on bird’s feathers, especially Hummingbirds, helps demonstrate that fact.

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Here are some videos and photos of Hummingbirds showing how the light reflects on these birds.

ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD VANCOUVER, BC (2018)

Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis) Little color from side ©WikiC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis) With Light Shining on it ©WikiC

Light reflects off the feathers of Hummingbirds. Here are some photos:

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) by Michael Woodruff

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) by Michael Woodruff

Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla) by Judd Patterson

Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla) by Judd Patterson

The Ruby-topaz Hummingbird is a nice example of how the light shinning on the hummer.

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, not reflecting light

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Some Reflection ©Flickr Neil DeMaster

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) No Reflection ©Flickr Budgora

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Some Reflection ©Flickr Budgora

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Reflection ©Flickr Dick Knight

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) Reflection ©Flickr Budgora

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) ©WikiC

How well are we reflecting the Lord’s light?

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16 KJV)

Wordless Birds – With Hummingbirds