Throughout recorded history, in nearly every culture, stones have been used for religious purposes.
There is a long history of the use of crystals for spiritual purposes
amongst indigenous peoples, including, but not limited to the Incans, the
Mayans, and the Native Americans. The 5,000+ year old sacred Hindu text,
known as the Vedas, contains lengthy discussions regarding the power of
crystals and their use. The Islam religion strongly recommended it's adherents to
wear different stones, especially during prayer, as a way to increase their
faith, piety, and endurance.
The Kaaba "is believed to be a replica of the house of God in the seventh heaven, where God’s throne is located." (Malcolm Clark, Islam For Dummies)
"Regarded by some as a meteorite, the black stone symbolizes God’s right hand, thus touching or pointing to it reenacts the covenant between God and man, that is, man’s acknowledgement of God’s lordship." (Lloyd V. J. Ridgeon, Major World Religions: From Their Origins to the Present)
“the remains of what Muslims believe is the altar that Abraham built. Popular legends say that the black stone is a meteorite worshiped by pre-Muslims. Some believe that the ancient stone was brought from a nearby mountain by the archangel Gabriel and that it was originally white; its black color comes from it having absorbed people’s sins. In a rite called tawaf, which they perform three times during the hajj, they circumambulate the Kaaba counterclockwise seven times. ... Each time pilgrims pass the black stone they recite a prayer from the Qur’an. 'In the name of God, and God is supreme.' If they can, pilgrims approach the Kaaba and kiss it ... or they make a gesture of kissing the Ka’ba each time if they cannot reach it.” (Davidson and Gitlitz, Pilgrimage: From the Ganges to Graceland: An Encyclopedia, Volume 1)
The Bible alone has over 200 references to uses of crystals and
stones. The Book of Exodus recorded the stones to be used for the breastplate
of the high priest, Aaron. The purpose
of the breastplate was to help Aaron “spiritually
discern answers to the people's questions that he asked God while praying in
the tabernacle.” (Whitney Hopler, Sacred Stones: The High Priest’s Breastplate Gems in the Bible
and Torah)
"They fashioned the breastplate -- the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. It was square -- a span long and a span wide -- and folded double. Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was ruby, chrysolite and beryl; the second row was turquoise, sapphire and emerald; the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings. There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes." Exodus 39:8-14
"Also put the Urim (lights) and the Thummim (perfections) in the breastplate, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord." Exodus 28:30
“Urim and Thummim of the old desert religion of the present day Jews, are actually crystals. Through its light, they know what their God, YHWH, wants to say.” (
The book of Revelation recorded the stones that were to be found in the
celestial New Jerusalem (Heaven). "They fashioned the breastplate -- the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. It was square -- a span long and a span wide -- and folded double. Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was ruby, chrysolite and beryl; the second row was turquoise, sapphire and emerald; the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings. There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes." Exodus 39:8-14
"Also put the Urim (lights) and the Thummim (perfections) in the breastplate, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord." Exodus 28:30
“Urim and Thummim of the old desert religion of the present day Jews, are actually crystals. Through its light, they know what their God, YHWH, wants to say.” (
"It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. Revelation 21:11, 18-20
Jasper: Jasper is mentioned several times in the book of Revelation, has been identified as the 1st foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). In the Greek and Latin texts it is the 6th foundation stone. Regardless of which position it is in, it is, without a doubt, the yshphh spoken of in the Hebrew text. It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Benjamin.
Sapphire/Lapis Luzuli: The term “Sapphire” (sapphiros) is mentioned many times in the Bible. Having said that, it is important to note that the sapphire we are familiar with is most likely not, the same sapphire. Historical descriptions of the biblical stone sound much more like lapis luzuli, than sapphire. It has been identified as the 2nd foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Dan. In Buddhism, Buddha has been called the "Healing Master of Lapis Lazuli Radiance,” as he meditated on Lapis Lazuli. Ancient Sumarians also valued Lapis.
"He who carries with him into battle an amulet of Lapis carries with him the presence of God". (This was a popular saying amongst ancient Sumarian Priests.)
Chalcedony/Carbuncle/Chodchod/Ruby: In the Old Testament, the terms Chalcedony, Carbuncle, Chodchod and Ruby are used interchangeably to describe a stone which sounds very much like the Oriental ruby or Spinel Ruby. Chalcedony has been identified as the 3th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Juda.
Emerald: Emerald has been identified as the 4th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Levi.
Sardonyx/Sard/Onyx: Historical descriptions of the biblical stone Chrysolite have identified it as modern day Onyx. It has been identified as the 5th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). It represents one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel and have been associated with the tribe of Joseph.
Carnelian: Carnelian has been identified as the 6th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). It is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Ruben. Many Muslim’s follow Muhammad’s lead and wear Carnelian, to guarantee Allah’s fulfillment of desires.
Chrysolite/Peridot: Historical descriptions of the biblical stone Chrysolite have identified it as modern day Peridot. It has been identified as the 7th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). It is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Zabulon.
Beryl: Beryl is generally identified as the 8th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). It is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Nephtali.
Topaz: In the Greek language, Topaz comes from the term chrusolithos, which literally means ” gold stone.” Although consensus has yet to be reached, it most likely refers to present day golden topaz. Topaz is the 9th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven);
Chrysoprase/Chrysoprasus/Agate: Chrysoprase/Chrysoprasus have been identified as the 10th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). Chrysoprasus was not well known among the ancients; it may very well be the same stone as we know as modern day Agate. Agate is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Aser.
Jacinth/Hyacinth: Jacinth/Hyacinth has been identified as the 10th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). This stone was most likely also called Ligurus, which is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Gad.
Amethyst: Amethyst is the 12th foundation stone of the celestial New Jerusalem (heaven). It is one of the ten stones, on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. It has been associated with the tribe of Issachar.
PEARL: The King James Version of the Bible was the first time the term pearl was used; prior to that it was known as “Margarite.” Pearls were considered among the most precious stones in the ancient world. Both the Incas and the Aztecs held pearls in high esteem.
CRYSTAL: Crystal/Ice has been placed in the
same category as gold, onyx, sapphire, glass, coral, topaz, etc. Job 28:17 Tibetan Monks viewed Quartz Crystals as
powerful holy objects. Taoists referred
to Quartz Crystals as the "Gem of Enlightenment."
As we have just learned, most cultures have used crystals
and/or other stones religiously for a very long time. Many believe that it is spiritually wrong to work
with crystals and/or other stones. Is crystal healing spiritually
acceptable? Please join us next week to
learn the answer to this question, and more.
