To answer this question, let’s turn our thoughts back to the 1st Century AD. It’s the Roman Era and the advent of glassblowing meant glass objects can be made faster and easier than ever before.
Back in the day, Israel was a major contributor to glass production. Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, a multitude of glass vessels fell to waste and was eventually buried beneath the Holy Land soil. Lying undisturbed for centuries, subsequent excavation work in the modern State of Israel brought these majestic pieces of broken glass to the light.
Research established that the mineral-rich earth and mild climate provided the ideal setting for Roman Glass to form, allowing breathtaking blue, green and purple hues to develop.
A rare and unique material, Roman Glass cannot be produced artificially. Roman Glass pendants unite the beauty of ancient and modern worlds, combining these shimmering shards of glass with a gold or sterling silver necklace, available in a large range of Christian and Messianic designs.
The original glass vessels did not remain intact, save for the occasional rare find that is destined for museum display. It’s exclusively the remaining pieces of glass, discovered in archaeological excavations in the Holy Land itself that are set into unique Roman Glass jewelry for women. Since the origin of the majority of fragments cannot be traced, they are not of scientific or research value. Nonetheless, every shard is not just a symbol of beauty overcoming ages of exposure to the harsh elements of the earth, but it also serves as a reminder of a bigger, truly significant story.
When we think of the Romans in Israel, it’s mainly negative images that come to mind: The crucifixion, the burning of the Second Temple, the all-consuming power of the Roman Empire attempting to force ancient Israel to submission. Indeed, the power and might of the Romans are astonishing, but we know a Power infinitely stronger – the ALMIGHTY that lets kingdoms rise and fall.
The Roman oppression didn’t come as a curveball to GOD, in fact HE used these circumstances to bring about HIS purposes. JESUS HIMSELF prophesied the total destruction of the Second Temple in Mark 13:1-2. And GOD used the Roman occupation to fulfill prophesy. While the enemy tried to cripple GOD’s Kingdom by means of Roman persecution, it actually achieved the opposite as GOD stepped in to secure our survival. According to the enemy’s agenda, persecution of Believers would silence the Word of GOD, but instead it caused believers to leave Jerusalem, incidentally travelling along the roads the prospering Romans had built and taking the good news of the Gospel along with them. This allowed the Gospel to expand from Jerusalem to the nations. How ironic that the enemy was paving a way for the destruction of GOD’s children, but our FATHER intervened and re-routed the plan for the benefit of the Kingdom.
One of the things we learn from the relationship between Israel and the FATHER is that failure to submit to HIM and HIS ways, inevitably results in being seized by the enemy. The Roman invasion didn’t come as a curve-ball to the ALMIGHTY, in fact HE used these circumstances to bring about HIS purposes. JESUS HIMSELF prophesied the total destruction of the Second Temple in Mark 13:1-2. As mentioned previously, Roman persecution brought many negatives into play, but thankfully, we serve a GOD that uses all things for HIS good. The Gospel was forced to go forth to the nations and millions and millions of brothers and sisters in CHRIST were (are still are) saved as a result! Just another way in which the nations of the world are blessed by GOD’s chosen people. Paul reminds us in Romans 11:25: “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” In no way can we forget that our blessings sometimes come from the misfortunes Israel has experienced.
Just as GOD warned, the Jewish people were dispersed across the world as a result of unfaithfulness. But in HIS mercy, HE also promised deliverance: “For I am with you,” declares the LORD, “to save you; for I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, only I will not destroy you completely.” (Jeremiah 30:11)
Today, the Holy Land is flourishing once more and stands as testimony to the resurrection power of the FATHER. HE has been fulfilling HIS promises and restoration is unfolding just like the Bible predicted.
The story behind Roman Glass reads similar to that of believers. Once broken, and forgotten, only to be raised up… restored to radiate His restoration work in our lives. Looking at the once-scattered fragments of glass that now proudly adorn a Roman Glass necklace, we cannot help but see the Hand, the Face and the intention of GOD for HIS children is a wonder to behold.
Roman Glass jewelry serves as reminder that GOD doesn’t leave HIS children lying broken and scattered. HE always has plans for revival up HIS sleeve. And HE doesn’t just repair; HE uses that brokenness to bring about beauty. The “beauty for ashes” that Isaiah 61:3 speaks of, is brought to life!
As Christians, we are also sometimes shattered and broken by extreme exposure to the elements, as a result of turning our back on the things of GOD or simply because we live in a sinful world. We can know that GOD comes for us too, bringing HIS mending SPIRIT, restoring what has been lost. It reminds us of the “treasure in the jars of clay” described in 2 Corinthians. We aren’t abandoned and left as broken vessels forever. Soon HE will also turn our ashes into beauty!
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