Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ 1 Peter

[Vaik]

Peter says in 1 eternal 1.7 that "gold perisheth, though it be tried with fire". However, in Revelation heaven is described several times to be made of gold, such as "the great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass". Is the "gold" in heaven purely metaphorical? Or maybe it's some other kind of gold that doesn't perish?

[jimwalton]

Peter is using gold as a comparative, and Revelation is using it as a metaphor, so we can't treat the referent ("gold") as being used in the same way by both of them.

Peter is talking about not only the priceless value of a relationship with God, but also that it is permanent—it can never be taken away, no matter what happens to us in life. But even gold gets refined in the fire, which makes it more pure. So also our faith may get refined by suffering, but that will just teach us more and should draw us closer to that priceless relationship with God that can never be taken away, even by suffering. That's how Peter uses the comparison of one of the most precious and valuable elements in their culture: gold.

When John uses the metaphor of gold in Revelation 21.18, he is using it as a symbol of holiness, splendor, power, purity, wisdom and honor. He wants us to know that this relationship with God (Rev. 21.3) is the most valuable and desirable goal of life (all of Rev. 21), worth any sacrifice, and the most deserving way to spend our lives—seeking God and in service to God.