LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Iridescence
"That the manifold wisdom of God may now be made known through the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places" (Eph. 3:10).
William Hendriksen, in his commentary on Ephesians, points out that the best translation for the word translated here as 'multiform' is 'iridescent'. According to Hendriksen, the Greek word used here refers to that which has color and light, and that is precisely what the English word 'iridescent' means.
Now, this is an adjective that in this verse accompanies 'wisdom', and as we know, the wisdom of God is Christ. Christ is the iridescent wisdom of God. Paul tells us that this Wisdom is made known through the church to the principalities and powers. The church is, therefore, the means used by God to express the marvelous iridescence of Christ.
Color and light: What is there in nature that has color and light at the same time? Of all creation, it is probably precious stones that best reflect the divine sense of Christ's iridescence. Precious stones occupy a very interesting place in Scripture. For example, the high priest's garment had precious stones to represent each of the tribes; the new Jerusalem has on its foundations ornaments of precious stones, each representing one of the twelve apostles; the presence of God on that awesome throne of Revelation 4 is akin to jasper and carnelian.
Precious stones are formed in a long process, by which common coal becomes a gem. This requires two prerequisites: heat and pressure. High temperatures and extraordinary weight over a long period of time produce a stone so beautiful that it can reflect light in a multitude of shades and sparkles. Specialists claim, for example, that one cm3 of carbon needs 53 tons of pressure at 2760°C to become a diamond.
God has chosen precious stones to show us the beauty of each Christian in whom he himself has worked for a long time, subjecting him to trials and afflictions, to express the iridescence of Christ. The white and radiant light of Christ separates into marvelous beams of light, of the most diverse colors, as it passes through the pure and translucent texture of the precious stones, which are his beloved. Thus the ineffable beauty of Christ is made known through the church - with its many members, different from one another, but complementary in their forms and colors.
It is interesting to see in the diversity of the precious stones, in their peculiarities of color and shape, an allegory of the career of each Christian. Just as the twelve apostles of the Lamb are represented in those foundation stones of the city, each Christian has a gem kept for him, to show his unique and unrepeatable character, the unique and exclusive way of reflecting the beauty of Christ.