Vol 02 - Answers to Correspondents
Answers to Correspondents
1. Q.-May I ask the following questions through your periodical relative to the "Gold," as given in scripture? Is gold divine righteousness? for we find it in Ezekiel 28:1-26 in Satan’s covering, "every precious stone was thy covering... and gold." In Revelation 21:18 the city was pure gold; in verse 21 the street of the city was pure gold; the precious stones forming the foundation of the wall of the city, are also found in Satan’s covering (Ezekiel 28:1-26), and in the breast-plate of the High Priest (Exodus 28:17-20), " they shall be set in gold in their inclosings." We read, too, of the golden altar "to burn incense upon;" the ark, overlaid round about with gold; a mercy seat of pure gold; the golden candlestick (in Zechariah 4:12 - marginal reading, "empty out of themselves oil into the gold); and also we read of the calf of gold; Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold; and Peter speaks of gold "that perisheth," and "ye are not redeemed with silver and gold." In Revelation 4:1-11; Revelation 5:1-14 we find "crowns of gold," and "golden bowls;" and in Revelation 3:1-22. "I counsel thee to buy of me gold." The woman in Revelation 17:1-18 is decked with gold; with a golden cup in her hand. Is gold anything communicable? as Satan was a creature and had it as such. If so, would Colossians 2:15, "having spoiled principalities and powers," indicate that "Jesus the Lord" had taken it all away from Satan, and in the headship, of verse 10, had possession of it all Himself (Luke 11:21-22), and, if so, in what way do we (as members of His body) get gold? Is there any thought of power in it?F. B. W.
A.-There can, we think, whatever other typical import, may attach to it, be little doubt that gold is divine righteousness, and stands in contrast with brass, which would be human righteousness. Hence we find gold inside the tabernacle, where God dwelt, as in the breastplate of the high priest, the mercy-seat, the altar of incense, and the candlestick; while outside it, on the way of approach, we find the brazen altar and the brazen laver. These two things meet in Christ’s person in Revelation 1:1-20 He is girt about the paps with a "golden girdle," and His feet are like unto "fine brass."
Gold would seem, also, to typify power, or supremacy, as in the "head of fine gold " in the image of Daniel, and as in the "golden crown " of the Son of man in Revelation 14:1-20 We should like to know what any of our readers have to say on this interesting subject. C. W.