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 Ezek. 28 in Satan's covering, "every precious stone was thy covering... and gold." In Rev. 21:1818And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. (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 (Ezek. 28), and in the breast-plate of the High Priest (Ex. 28:17-2017And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. 18And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 19And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. 20And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. (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 Zech. 4:1212And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? (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 Rev. 4; 5 we find "crowns of gold," and "golden bowls;" and in Rev. 3. "I counsel thee to buy of me gold." The woman in Rev. 17 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 Col. 2:1515And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (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 11:21,2221When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. (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 Rev. 1 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 Rev. 14 We should like to know what any of our readers have to say on this interesting subject. C. W.