Charles Spurgeon Commentary Revelation 21:17-18

"And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, [according to] the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass." — Revelation 21:17-18 (ASV)

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

Such gold as never was, nor is, nor ever shall be on this earth until that time when God shall have purified it. Our gold is dull, opaque; light is blocked out by it. How many might see if it were not for the gold which blinds them, and hides the truth from them!

And the wall of it was measured, a hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like to clear glass.

All these joys are without sediment of sin. Gold on earth is a dull thing. You cannot look into it. But the joys of heaven, if compared to gold, must be diaphanous. Pure gold like to clear glass – all its earthly part removed, freed from all its earthly grossness. The joy of heaven is divine.