Clear The Stage

Yesterday, on my way home at the end of a hectic day out and with a pounding headache (that happens when when it's four o'clock in the afternoon and you haven't had a single bite to eat), I heard the following song play on the radio. I was so taken aback by the weighty lyrical content that I memorized a line just so that I could look it up when I got home.

Imagine my surprise to find that this song was released eight years and I'd only just heard it for the first time - not to mention learning of music artiste, Ross King, for the first time ever. I'm not given to exaggerated sentimentality so I'll tell you that I believe this song is not just easy listening...there is a message here that could change your life.

Just in case you haven't heard it for a long time, or if this will be your first time, it is my pleasure to share with you "Clear The Stage" from the album "And All The Decorations, Too" (Ross King Music/Northpaw Music, 2002)

Why gates of pearl?

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 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. 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 21:19-21

I think there is beautiful imagery in the creation of the pearl that will have great significance for those first steps each overcoming believer will take into the holy city of God, the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21). Many Scriptures abound which show that this earthly age is one of warfare for us. God will teach us to do battle in His strength, He will be our hiding place, and He will be our resting place all throughout this journey - but we are engaged in spiritual warfare. This is why the Lord Jesus has called us to be overcomers (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).

Suffering is a non-negotiable part of the Christian life. It has a specific purpose in refining us and works for us a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:17).

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned...strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:21-22

The oyster's way of overcoming the abrasion caused by any grain of sand, pebble or other foreign matter that gets into its soft body is to secrete nacre which cloaks and covers that irritant. This is also how the finest pearls of gemstone quality are formed. The pearl is the product of a process of tribulation. I believe this has something to do with why the 12 gates of the holy city, the New Jerusalem, are gates of pearl. I believe those gates of pearl will testify forever that all the redeemed within have entered by faithfully overcoming tribulation through their faith in Christ. A flat cut diamond or emerald may have well made a sturdy gate, but He chose pearls. I have no Scripture that reveals why God specifically chose pearls for gates, although there will be the abundant use of gold and precious gems of various types in the heavenly city. But since “we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” I think it is worth considering that the God who cares for us, and is taking note of every trial and test we undergo, and who bottles our tears in this age (Psalm 56:8) will set up a pearl as an ornament and entrance into the City where He will give us eternal rest in Himself.

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.”
Revelation 21:3-5

Ingredients of Effective Prayer (6)

This is the tenth post in a series on Praying Effectively. We talked about what effective prayers are and in the most recent post we learned that effective prayer requires unwavering faith in God. If you are just joining me, please see the end for a special note before continuing!


(6). Effective prayer is specific and consistent. It is persistent, confident in God, and willing to wait upon Him.

Luke 18:1-8
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Isaiah 49:23c
Then you will know that I am the LORD,
For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me.

Luke 11:5-13
And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Matthew 7:7-11
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Acts 12:5
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
(Read more in Acts 12:1-17)

Colossians 4:2-3
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains

2 Thessalonians 1:11
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power

[All emphasis above is mine. Other scriptures on consistent prayer include: Acts 6:4; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; Luke 21:36; Acts 10:2]

Pray, according to the Word of God, without ceasing. Do not let go the matter. Give God no rest. He is pleased with this persistent faith!


[This is the tenth post in a series on the subject of prayer. Last week we looked at the fundamental and indispensable need for unwavering faith in God and His ability.  These posts are interspersed among other blog topics so for the easy identification of related posts, look for the label 'praying effectively - series' in the sidebar. If you are just now joining in I recommend that you read the first post where I shared my reason for doing this series. I hope to share practical keys and insight into praying effectively, in bite-size blog posts which you can easily follow.]