 As we enter the city through the gates of pearl, it speaks to us of suffering and travail. A pearl is a jewel made by a little animal that is wounded. So it is that we enter heaven through the Lord Jesus Christ who suffered and travailed, shed his blood, and agonized on the cross. The streets are of pure gold. No defilement enters heaven. There is no need of a temple in heaven. The city itself is God's sanctuary.