by This is a study that the Lord started with me years ago. I was looking for something short to study. I saw a small clump of verses in the Concordance concerning “glass.” I thought: “Hey, this should be short enough.” Well….. almost 40 years later, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving. As time goes on, more studies attach to it, and are explained by it. Here we go……
Job 37:18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
In this verse we get the imagery of the “sky” or better yet the “heavens” as a “molten looking glass,” or “fire mingled with glass, that bears ones reflection.” We’ll come back to this idea of “heavens” or “dwelling place of God” later.
1Co. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
2Co. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Jas. 1:23-25 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
So, at first it is “darkly,” and it can continue to be “darkly” based on what James says above. Or, we look into the glass and begin to see Him who is in the glass, and a transformation begins to happen. HOW? By being a “doer and not a hearer.” That man is blessed in his deed and changed from glory to glory “by the Spirit.” (fire, refinement)
Now, where is this “glass?”
Rev. 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
We will come back to chapter 4 later, but in the meantime….
This “sea of glass” is before the throne, “clear as crystal.”
Rev. 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Rev. 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Rev. 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
There is a wealth of treasure found in these verses.
I would present that the “glass” is “the scripture/Word” that is “transparent.” But not just “transparent,” but “transparent gold.” Gold in scripture is symbolic of wisdom. In this case, “Gods transparent wisdom,” for those who are “doers of the word.”
What is the “Glass mingled with fire?” Scripture states that: “Thy Word is truth.” Scripture also states that: “We MUST worship God in Spirit and in Truth.” “Thy Spirit is an all consuming fire.” < Fire mingled with glass.
And those that overcome, “Stand on the sea of glass.” < What does this mean? Jesus gives us the example of “standing on the sea of glass” while in the wilderness. Three times He stated: “It is written.” “It is written.” “It is written.” “And the devil departed from Him.” “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Now, (just for a second) let’s talk about the “pearl gates.” For anyone who has done any “complete study,” you have found that when you get to the end of it, you find yourself back where it began. Now, from that point you can go into any number of other studies, in different directions, all coming back to the same point. “A perfect sphere,” that leads “into the city.” Through “the gate,” not as a thief. Once in, we find that the streets are pure transparent wisdom.
Now, what about Rev. chapter 4?
I will explain that in comparison with this post soon.
