Streets of Gold

In chapter nine, the gravely ill Reverend Dimmesdale expresses his contentment with the prospect of death instead of accepting Roger Chillingworth’s medical treatment. Chillingworth’s replies, “Youthful men, not having taken a deep root, give up their hold of life so easily! And saintly men, who walk with God on earth, would fain be away, to walk with him on the golden pavements of the New Jerusalem.” One of the most famous parts of the Apostle John’s description of New Jerusalem is found in REVELATION 21:21: “…the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”