In times of national transition, in times of hyperinflation, war, or other disasters here... paper money may not be worth more than a blank sheet of paper. I personally have a pile of old money (Deutsche Marks) from Augsburg Germany that’s now worth ..paper.
Am thinking today about Nebuchadnezzar's Dream in the Bible. He had it in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. Then he demanded of his magicians and astrologers that they should not only reproduce the dream, but that they should interpret it. This they were unable to do and their destruction was ordered, but was stayed by Daniel's petition for a little time. Then Daniel and his companions betook themselves to prayer, and in a night vision the "Dream" and its meaning was made known to Daniel. Go read the whole story--it happened.
The "image symbolized the "World Kingdoms" in their Unity and Historical Succession. Gentile dominion is represented by a huge "Metallic" Man. The degeneration of the "World Kingdoms" is seen in the diminishing value of the metals used. Silver is worth less than gold, brass than silver, iron than brass, and clay than iron. The weight of the image also declines, the specific gravity of gold is 19.5, of silver 10.47, of brass 8, of cast iron 5, and of clay 1.93. The "Colossus" is Top Heavy.
The four metals of which the "image" was composed represent: Four Worldwide Empires...that arise in succession (Dan. 2:37-40). Four great Empires, and only four, are to succeed each other in the government of the world, from Nebuchadnezzar to the "Second Coming" of Christ the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman. These Kingdoms are not only made known as to number, but their names, in the order of their succession, are given. The metals are interesting. We can see that the deterioration of the image aka "Colossus" is shown in the character of the metals composing it. This was prophetic of the character of the governments as they were to succeed one another. The power of Nebuchadnezzar was Absolute, of him Daniel said"All people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared him; whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down." Dan. 5:19.The second Kingdom was inferior to the first (a Monarchy dependent upon the support of an Hereditary Aristocracy)..and so it goes..finally the "Stone" which smites the "image" must be interpreted as Christ who is called a "Stone" in Scripture. "Whosoever shall fall on this stone (Christ) shall be broken (softened by repentance), but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Matt. 21:44. This is exactly what the prophet foretells of the smiting of the "Colossus.""Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them; and the Stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth." Dan. 2:35.
The "Stone Kingdom" must also be a literal Kingdom, for it takes the place of the literal Kingdoms that are destroyed, and conquers the whole earth. The "Stone Kingdom" then is the "Millennial Kingdom of Christ" and the "Colossus," or the "Times of the Gentiles" typified by it, cannot come to an end until the "revelation of Christ" at His Second Coming. Not far off from now.
Muse on this. For the large majority of human history–precious metals, such as gold and silver, have constituted money a medium of exchange for goods and services. Seems like cash now is pretty much obsolete, how many now carry cash?
Gold is used as money in Scripture (See Exodus 38:24). The common Old Testament word for money, kesef, means “silver”; it is translated as “silver” 287 times in the KJV and 112 times as “money” (see, e. g, Genesis 13:2; 20:16; 23:9, 13, 15, etc.).
Gold will continue to be valuable until after Christ’s coming at the Rapture (Revelation 18:12, 16 & 3:17).
Remember when Christ said, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Revelation 3:18). The spiritual need to receive spiritual blessings from God is clearly primary. Let’s keep the main things the main thing -- be rapture ready. The Second Coming will also happen after that.
While the US dollar and other world currencies decrease in value over time and eventually become worthless, gold and silver will not totally lose their value before the Rapture of the Church (See Revelation 18:12, 16-17).
In Revelation 4:4 the Bible says, “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four (human) elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.” (NKJV). There’ll be rewards given to obedient saints (born again believers). emph-mine.
Will there literally be streets of gold in heaven?
Heaven’s streets of gold are often referenced in song and poetry, but harder to find in the Bible. In fact, there is only one passage of Scripture that references streets of gold and that is in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem: “The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21). So does this verse tell us that there will literally be streets of gold in heaven? And, if so, what is the importance or significance of literal streets of gold? The Greek word translated “gold” is chrusion, which can mean “gold, gold jewelry, or overlay.” So to translate it “gold” makes complete and perfect sense. In fact, struggles of interpretation often come up when people attempt to determine which parts of the Bible to take literally and which parts to take figuratively. A good rule of thumb when studying the Bible is to take everything literally, unless it doesn’t make sense to do so. And in this chapter of Revelation, John isn’t just throwing out random descriptive terms. In the early parts of Revelation 21, he is given a rod to measure out the city (verse15), and he specifically describes the wall of heaven as being composed of jasper and the city itself also of gold (verse18). He also describes the foundations of the city walls being comprised of many specific precious stones and jewels (verses19–20). So with these specifics in mind, the description of golden streets makes perfect sense in comparison to the rest of John’s eyewitness description.
So, if heaven’s streets are made of gold, what is the point? First, notice the condition of the gold. When gold is uncovered on earth, it is not in the desirable condition that jewelers are looking for. The gold must be smelted in order that impurities float to the top for removal, leaving only the pure gold behind. The gold that John saw in heaven was of such quality that it appears to be transparent in order to reflect the pure light of God’s blazing glory. And God’s ability to purify is not confined only to gold; God has purified all who will enter His heaven through the blood of Jesus Christ. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Not only is God’s holy city one of purity by His design, so are the citizens of that city.
As we investigate this idea of golden streets further, there are some teachers and scholars who do not hold to the idea that heaven’s golden streets are literal. However, by looking simply at the text God has given us within the context of the entirety of John’s revelation, there seems to be no reason to doubt it. However, our attention in eternity will hardly be focused on earthly treasures. While man pursues treasures like gold on earth, one day it will simply be no more than a source of pavement for the believer in heaven. No matter how many precious jewels or materials make up the physical construction of heaven, nothing will ever be of greater value than the God who loves us and died to save us.
Hey believer, take careful heed to how you build. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation [with] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.If anyone's work which he has built on [it] endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.Do you not know that you are the temple of God and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Cor. 33:11-16
God loves and values you greatly. You are more than you own. You are more than your popularity or lack of that both online or offline. You people are the apex of all of God’s creations and he’s made some wonderful creatures. Jesus died on a cross and rose again just as He said so that you and I could have fellowship with the Father for all eternity..
The idols of the heathen..evin those that are made of silver and gold are worthless, Walk away, ditch, melt em down. Serve the One living God instead.
Thinking about Christmas almost here. Q. So why did the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus?
Well, in Matthew 2 tells us that the magi, or wise men, travelled from the East in search of the Christ child. They inquired of King Herod where they might find Him, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2). Upon finding the baby Jesus, “they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).
Gold is a precious metal and as such was a very valuable commodity. Its value could very well have financed Joseph and Mary’s trip to Egypt. The Bible does not tell us any other significance to these three gifts; however, tradition has it that there is a deeper meaning for each of the three. Gold is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. Pagan idols were often made from gold and the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:10-17). The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity—God in flesh.
Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. It is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34). Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, analogous to a burnt offering.
Myrrh was also a product of Arabia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. It was a spice and was used in embalming. It was also sometimes mingled with wine to form an article of drink. Such a drink was given to our Savior when He was about to be crucified, as a stupefying potion (Mark 15:23). Matthew 27:34 refers to it as “gall.” Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him.
Is it smart for a Christian to invest money in the stock market? Isn’t that like gambling?
God’s intentions for how we should manage our wealth are found in many Scriptures. The following are a few examples. Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” This speaks against the “get-rich-quick” mentality. Looking at investment as a long-term plan for the future is good planning, but trying to make a fortune overnight is not.
Second Corinthians 9:6 says, “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.” The context is actually speaking about investing in our relationship with God, but it demonstrates how one must often sacrifice now to gain in the future. Similarly, Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Much of the Bible’s teaching about wealth is a warning against putting trust in wealth rather than in the Lord (e.g., 1 Timothy 6:17-18) or to the detriment of those who depend on us (e.g., Ecclesiastes 5:13-14). As long as we honor our commitments to God and our families with our money, and maintain a spirit of generosity and thankfulness, investing is an option Christians can consider.
Most of these good ideas didn't originate with me. Thanks GotQuestions. Here's the Recommended Resources for you: The Bible. I also like a book called Heaven by Randy Alcorn that doesn’t disagree with the Word. Also.. The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel.
How to Manage Your Money: An In-Depth Bible Study On Personal Finances by Larry Burkett.
