Audio Download

Gemstones: The Stones That Transfer, Part 1

Sardius and Topaz

[Study Aired February 10, 2026]

Introduction: Stones of Complete Witness

Throughout Scripture, God employs natural elements to reveal spiritual realities, establishing patterns that testify across time to His redemptive purpose. Among these sacred instructors, six precious stones appear in all three primary biblical contexts—the High Priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28), the anointed cherub’s covering (Ezekiel 28), and New Jerusalem’s foundations (Revelation 21). These stones—sardius, topaz, sapphire, emerald, beryl, and jasper—bear unique significance precisely because they transfer through every stage of God’s revealed plan, testifying to eternal truths that remain constant from the old covenant through the present age and into eternity.

This three-part study examines these six transferring stones, revealing how each declares specific aspects of Christ’s nature and believers’ transformation. The stones that appear in all three contexts demonstrate continuity in God’s character and purpose, showing that certain spiritual realities—established from the beginning—endure into the age to come. Unlike stones that appear only on the breastplate or covering, these six stones reveal truths so fundamental to redemption that they must be present at every stage of God’s work.

Understanding these stones requires recognizing Scripture’s foundational principle: 

“Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual” (1 Corinthians 15:46).

The pattern moves from natural representation on the breastplate, through judgment revealed in Ezekiel’s covering, to spiritual fulfillment in New Jerusalem’s foundations. What Aaron bore externally upon his chest, God establishes eternally as the bedrock of His dwelling place.

Part 1 examines the first two of these six stones: the sardius and the topaz. The sardius, deep red as blood, speaks powerfully of sacrifice, redemption, and the birthright transferred from the first Adam to the Last Adam. The topaz, golden as divine light, declares God’s wisdom, illumination, and the truth that guides believers from darkness into His marvelous light.

The Sardius: Blood, Birthright, and Redemption

The Sardius in Three Contexts

The sardius appears first on the High Priest’s breastplate as the opening stone of the first row:

“And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle” (Exodus 28:17).

The Hebrew word odem (H124) derives from adam, meaning “red” or “ruddy,” directly connecting this stone to Adam, the first man formed from red earth. This stone bore the name of Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son whose name means “behold, a son.” Leah declared at his birth: “Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me” (Genesis 29:32).

Yet Reuben, despite his natural birthright as firstborn, forfeited his privileged position through sin. Jacob pronounced judgment: “Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it” (Genesis 49:3-4). The birthright, representing preeminence and double portion, passed from Reuben to Joseph’s sons through God’s sovereign purpose, demonstrating that natural descent provides no guarantee of spiritual inheritance.

In Ezekiel’s vision, the sardius appears among the nine stones covering the anointed cherub:

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond” (Ezekiel 28:13).

The sardius stands first among these nine stones, maintaining its position of prominence even as the total number reduces from twelve to nine. This placement reveals that what the sardius represents—blood, sacrifice, and the forfeited birthright—remains central to understanding humanity’s natural state and God’s purpose in subjecting creation to vanity.

Finally, the sardius appears as the sixth foundation stone of New Jerusalem:

“The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius” (Revelation 21:20).

John also describes God’s appearance using sardius: “And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone” (Revelation 4:3). The sardius in God’s appearance and the city’s foundation demonstrates that the blood of redemption, which the stone symbolizes, remains eternally essential to God’s dwelling with His people.

The Red Stone: Blood’s Dual Testimony

The sardius’s deep red color connects it unmistakably to blood, which carries dual significance throughout Scripture. Blood testifies both to sin’s guilt and to redemption’s provision—the problem and its solution, judgment and grace, death and life.

The negative aspect appears when God confronts Cain after Abel’s murder: “What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). Blood testifies against the sinner, crying out for justice. This principle extends throughout the law: “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Blood demands payment for sin.

Yet blood also provides the very payment it demands. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest sprinkled blood upon the mercy seat: “And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times” (Leviticus 16:14). This blood covered Israel’s sin, pointing forward to Christ’s superior sacrifice.

Peter declares: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Christ’s blood accomplishes what animal blood could only foreshadow—eternal redemption.

The writer of Hebrews contrasts Abel’s blood with Christ’s: “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Abel’s blood cried for vengeance; Christ’s blood speaks peace, reconciliation, and access to God’s presence. The sardius, red as blood, testifies to both aspects—the problem requiring solution and the solution itself.

The Birthright Forfeited and Restored

The sardius’s connection to Reuben establishes a critical pattern: natural birthright forfeited through sin, spiritual birthright granted through grace. Reuben possessed the firstborn’s legal position but lost its benefits. The Chronicles record: “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright)” (1 Chronicles 5:1).

This forfeiture typifies Adam’s loss. Created first, given dominion, placed in paradise—Adam held every advantage yet surrendered all through disobedience. Paul traces the consequences: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Adam’s birthright as humanity’s head became a curse, transmitting death rather than life to his descendants.

Yet God’s purpose includes restoration through the Last Adam. Paul declares: “The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). Christ, as the Last Adam, receives the true birthright—preeminence over all creation. Paul writes: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Colossians 1:15). Christ’s position as firstborn establishes His authority and our inheritance through union with Him.

Believers receive this restored birthright not through natural descent but through spiritual rebirth. John testifies: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). The birthright lost in Adam returns in Christ.

The sardius thus proclaims the complete gospel message: natural birthright forfeited through the first Adam’s sin, spiritual birthright secured through the Last Adam’s obedience. What Reuben lost through instability, Christ established through steadfastness. What the red earth of Adam’s creation testified concerning mortality, the red blood of Christ’s sacrifice transforms into immortality.

From Breastplate to Foundation: The Sardius’s Transfer

The sardius’s appearance in all three contexts demonstrates that blood redemption remains forever essential to God’s relationship with humanity. On the breastplate, the sardius represented Reuben and the natural firstborn—emphasizing what was lost. Among Ezekiel’s covering stones, positioned first among nine, it testifies to humanity’s created state subject to judgment. In New Jerusalem’s sixth foundation, it declares redemption accomplished and eternally secure.

The movement from first position on the breastplate to sixth position in the foundations reveals progression in God’s revelation. What began as representation of forfeited birthright becomes declaration of secured inheritance. The natural gives way to the spiritual, yet the blood that proclaims both guilt and redemption endures.

John’s vision of God upon the throne, appearing “like a jasper and a sardine stone,” confirms this eternal significance. God Himself bears the appearance of both justice (jasper’s transparency) and mercy (sardius’s blood). The rainbow encircling the throne “in sight like unto an emerald” (Revelation 4:3) adds mercy to this display, but the sardius remains—testifying that redemption through blood eternally characterizes God’s throne.

Believers’ eternal security rests upon this foundation. Paul writes: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). John declares: “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Revelation 1:5-6). The sardius, appearing in all three contexts, testifies that this blood-bought redemption forms an unshakeable foundation for God’s eternal dwelling with His people.

The Topaz: Divine Wisdom and Illumination

The Topaz in Three Contexts

The topaz occupies the second position in the breastplate’s first row, immediately following the sardius:

“The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle” (Exodus 28:17).

The Hebrew pitdah (H6357) describes a yellowish or golden stone valued for its brilliance. This stone bore the name of Simeon, Jacob’s second son, whose name means “heard.” Leah testified: “Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also” (Genesis 29:33). God’s hearing—His attentiveness to human need—establishes a foundation for understanding the topaz’s significance.

In Ezekiel’s description of the anointed cherub, the topaz maintains its position as second among the covering stones:

“Every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond” (Ezekiel 28:13).

Its consistent second position emphasizes divine order. Just as God’s hearing (Simeon) follows acknowledgment of need (Reuben’s lost birthright), so illumination through wisdom (topaz) follows recognition of sin requiring blood redemption (sardius).

The topaz appears ninth among New Jerusalem’s twelve foundations:

“The ninth, a topaz” (Revelation 21:20).

Its movement from second to ninth position suggests completion. Nine, throughout Scripture, represents completeness of judgment and the fullness of testimony leading to transformation. The topaz in the ninth foundation declares that divine wisdom, having judged and tested God’s people, establishes them eternally upon truth’s unshakeable base.

The Golden Stone: Wisdom’s Radiance

The topaz’s golden-yellow color associates it with light, wisdom, and divine understanding. Scripture consistently connects gold with sacred truth and incorruptible reality. Job declares: “But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof… No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies” (Job 28:12-15, 18).

Yet Job immediately adds: “It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold” (Job 28:16-17). Wisdom surpasses even gold’s value, yet shares gold’s incorruptible nature and brilliance. The topaz, bearing gold’s color, serves as heaven’s vocabulary declaring wisdom’s worth.

Solomon describes wisdom’s worth in similar terms: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her” (Proverbs 3:13-15). The topaz’s golden radiance illustrates this precious wisdom that enlightens understanding.

Paul connects divine wisdom directly to Christ: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Christ embodies the wisdom the topaz symbolizes. In Him “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The golden stone points to the Golden One who illuminates truth.

Divine Illumination: From Darkness to Light

The topaz’s brilliance speaks of divine light penetrating spiritual darkness. Scripture consistently portrays God’s word and wisdom as light guiding believers from error into truth. David declares: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Solomon adds: “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light” (Proverbs 6:23).

This illumination operates both objectively and subjectively. Objectively, God’s word provides revelation—truth disclosed that humanity could not discover independently. Peter writes: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). God’s revealed word functions as light in darkness until Christ Himself arises in believers’ hearts.

Subjectively, God opens understanding to comprehend revealed truth. Paul describes this work: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). God both provides external revelation and grants internal illumination to perceive it.

Jesus declares Himself the source of both aspects: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Christ is both the content of revelation and the one who opens eyes to see. The topaz’s golden radiance symbolizes this dual function—wisdom revealed and wisdom received.

The progression from darkness to light marks every believer’s experience. Paul writes: “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Peter declares: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). The topaz’s brilliance testifies to this transformation—from spiritual blindness to enlightened understanding, from error’s confusion to truth’s clarity.

Wisdom Applied: Understanding God’s Ways

The topaz represents not merely intellectual knowledge but practical wisdom—divine truth applied to life. James distinguishes between earthly and heavenly wisdom: “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:15-17).

True wisdom produces transformation. It does not remain abstract theory but becomes lived reality. Solomon writes: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her” (Proverbs 4:7-8). Wisdom applied elevates character, directs choices, and shapes destiny.

Paul prays for believers to receive this practical wisdom: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:17-18). Divine wisdom reveals God’s purpose, clarifies calling, and displays inheritance’s glory.

The topaz, positioned second on the breastplate after the blood-red sardius, teaches that wisdom follows redemption. Understanding God’s ways requires first experiencing His grace. Those who know themselves redeemed by blood gain capacity to receive wisdom’s instruction. As Paul declares: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Spiritual wisdom requires spiritual birth.

From Breastplate to Foundation: The Topaz’s Transfer

The topaz’s appearance in all three contexts demonstrates that divine wisdom and illumination remain essential at every stage of God’s work. On the breastplate, it represented Simeon and God’s hearing—His attentiveness to human need and His response through wisdom’s instruction. Among Ezekiel’s covering stones, maintaining second position, it testifies that even in humanity’s natural state, divine wisdom orders creation according to God’s purpose. In New Jerusalem’s ninth foundation, it declares wisdom’s complete work—judgment finished, understanding perfected, God’s ways fully revealed to His transformed people.

The movement from second to ninth position reveals wisdom’s progressive operation. What began as God hearing human cries culminates in complete understanding of His purpose. The natural capacity for wisdom, present in creation but corrupted by sin, becomes spiritual reality in the new creation. What was dimly perceived through law’s instruction shines with full brilliance in Christ’s revelation.

Paul describes this progression: “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Present partial understanding gives way to complete knowledge. The topaz in the ninth foundation testifies to this completed revelation—wisdom’s full manifestation when believers see Christ as He is.

John promises: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Seeing Christ produces transformation into His likeness. The golden topaz, radiating divine wisdom’s brilliance, points toward this ultimate illumination when all shadows flee and believers comprehend fully what redemption accomplished.

Conclusion: Blood and Light United

The sardius and topaz together establish foundational truths essential to redemption. The sardius, red as blood, declares humanity’s need for atonement and God’s provision through sacrifice. What Reuben forfeited through instability, Christ secures through steadfast obedience. What Adam lost through disobedience, the Last Adam restores through righteousness. The blood that testifies against sin becomes the blood that purchases pardon.

The topaz, golden as divine light, reveals God’s wisdom guiding believers from darkness to understanding. What Simeon’s name declared—God hears human cries—wisdom fulfills through illumination and instruction. God not only redeems through blood but enlightens through truth, transforming those purchased by sacrifice into those governed by understanding.

These two stones appear together in all three contexts, demonstrating that blood redemption and divine wisdom operate inseparably throughout God’s work. Redemption without illumination leaves believers forgiven but ignorant of God’s ways. Wisdom without redemption offers knowledge to those lacking life. Together, they provide complete salvation—pardon for past guilt and guidance for present living, justification through Christ’s blood and sanctification through truth’s light.

Paul unites both aspects when he writes: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:7-8). Redemption through blood flows from wisdom’s riches. Grace provides pardon; wisdom directs transformation.

These first two stones establish the pattern the remaining four stones will develop. In Part 2, we will examine the sapphire and emerald—stones that reveal God’s throne authority and resurrection power. In Part 3, the beryl and jasper will complete the testimony, declaring transformation’s progressive work and ultimate transparency in God’s presence.

Yet already, through sardius and topaz alone, we perceive redemption’s essential elements. Blood purchases access; wisdom guides understanding. Christ provides both—the sacrifice that reconciles and the truth that transforms. The stones that appeared first on Aaron’s breastplate now stand eternally in New Jerusalem’s foundations, testifying that these realities—established from the beginning—endure into the age to come and provide the unshakeable base upon which God dwells with His redeemed people forever.