The principles from the celestial city are constructed with precious gemstones – cornelius a lapide
"And also the foundations from the wall from the city were adorned with various precious gemstones. The very first foundation, jasper: the 2nd, azure: the 3rd, a chalcedony: the 4th, an emerald. The 5th, sardonyx: the sixth: sardius: the seventh, chrysolite: the eighth, beryl: the ninth, a topaz: the tenth, a chrysopasus: the eleventh, a jacinth: the twelfth, an amethyst" (Apocalypse, 21:19-20).
Alcazar observes that “adorned” means that they are put down inside a beautiful order. The Greek word does not necessarily mean a lot regarding decorate regarding order, to distribute, to create together, primarily within the situation when something is ready for adornment and sweetness, as with constructions. Therefore, it’s stated the foundations were adorned with various stone, because within the order the gemstones have been arranged, John saw an admirable type of beauty. “Adorned” thus implies that he saw the brilliant arrangement of individuals precious gemstones such as the following in the description.
You ought to observe that John describes the principles from the celestial Jerusalem, that’s, the wonder and also the adornment of their precious gemstones, therefore:
First, because nothing on the planet is much more beautiful or valuable than precious gemstones. Such as the stars that shine on the horizon, so even the precious gemstones shine in a way they appear is the stars of earth, plus they appear to talk about the lightness, pressure and brilliance from the stars.
Second, because for that ancients, precious gemstones were pictures of celestial and divine things.
Third, because on the planet precious gemstones express the worth, splendor, stability and of products. …
4th, because true precious gemstones, much more precious than ours, appear in paradise. This really is could be deduced in the following:
The outline of St. John, who affirms he really saw them in Paradise, and also the words in Tobias: "The gates of Jerusalem will be built of azure, as well as emerald, and all sorts of walls thereof about of precious gemstones. Its public squares will be paved with white-colored and clean gemstones: and Alleluia will be sang within the roads" (13:21-22). Now, based on what St. Augustine teaches, the language of Scripture should be understood because they are written, unless of course their first meaning is obscure.
Since the eyes from the Saints see wealthy, beautiful and precious objects that provide them with delight. Now, the sight is pleased not just with light, but additionally with the range of colors, like the different vegetables from the fields and trees and also the various colors of flowers and fruits. Also pleasing are [nowhere colors of] the rivers and comes transparent like glass, and primarily the valuable gemstones that shine with lots of colors. Therefore, they shouldn’t be missing in Paradise otherwise, they could be more happy on the planet compared to Paradise.
Because, based on the testimony of St. Ambrose (Sermo 90), St. Agnes along with other fortunate virgins made an appearance putting on dresses adorned with gold and precious gemstones.
Finally, in Paradise you will see many mansions and castles from the fortunate constructed with wealthy materials and precious gemstones, along with the most enjoyable fields, gardens and forest, as St. Anselm teaches in De Similitude chap. 44 and Barradius in vol. 3, book 10, chap. 3.
Summarized and converted through the TIA desk from Cornelius a Lapide,
Commentaria in Scripturam Sacram, Paris: Ludovicum Vides, 1876, vol. 21, chap. 21 Published November 19, 2011
Related Topics of great interest
The Splendor from the Celestial Palace
God Dwells in Paradise as with a Tabernacle
The Brand New Jerusalem
Progressivist Concepts of Paradise, Hell & Purgatory
Commentaria in Scripturam Sacram, Paris: Ludovicum Vides, 1876, vol. 21, chap. 21 
