The Bible is filled with hidden treasures, patterns, and mysteries that reveal the fullness of God’s plan for His people. Among these profound truths is the significance of the 24 stones in Joshua 4, a detail that resonates deeply with the imagery of the Tree of Life in Revelation 22 and the unity of Jew and Gentile in God’s eternal design. By examining these stones through a prophetic lens, we uncover a revelation of completion, unity, and the redemptive power of Christ.
In Joshua 4, we read of two sets of 12 stones placed at pivotal moments during Israel’s crossing of the Jordan. As the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stood in the riverbed, Joshua first took 12 stones from the river and set them up at Gilgal after the crossing was complete. These stones served as a memorial, symbolizing the tribes of Israel entering the Promised Land. Joshua declared, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground’” (Joshua 4:21-22). This memorial stood as a lasting testimony to God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promise to His people.
But there is another set of stones, one often overlooked. As the ark of the covenant rested in the middle of the Jordan, Joshua placed 12 stones at that very location. Unlike the memorial stones at Gilgal, these remained beneath the surface of the river, hidden from view, and the text notes they are still there “to this day” (Joshua 4:9).
These two sets of stones—one visible, one hidden—carry a profound message. The stones at Gilgal remind us of God’s faithfulness in leading His people into their inheritance, while the hidden stones beneath the Jordan point to a deeper mystery, one of things yet unseen but firmly established by God’s hand. Together, they reveal a picture of unity and completion, one that ultimately points us to Christ, in whom both the visible and the unseen are brought into perfect harmony.
The significance of these 24 stones extends far beyond a simple memorial. In ancient Israelite culture, memorial stones were established to commemorate God’s mighty works and to remind future generations of His faithfulness. The visible stones at Gilgal represent the revealed plan of God, beginning with the 12 tribes of Israel. Yet, the hidden stones beneath the Jordan point to a mystery that was concealed for generations—the inclusion of the Gentile Bride in God’s redemptive design.
The hidden stones symbolize this profound mystery, a truth concealed in ages past but unveiled through Christ. Paul writes of this in Colossians 1:26-27: “The mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints… Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Together, the visible and hidden stones reflect the unity of Jew and Gentile, brought together as one in Christ to complete the fullness of God’s people.
The placement of the hidden stones in the middle of the Jordan is deeply significant. In Scripture, the “middle” often marks a pivotal turning point in God’s divine plan. In Daniel 9:27, it is in the middle of the week that the covenant is broken, signaling a time of great tribulation but also pointing to the deliverance of God’s faithful. This moment foreshadows the mid-tribulation rapture, when the Bride is caught up to meet Christ, ushering in the next stage of God’s redemptive plan.
On the fourth day of creation—the middle of the week—God set the lights in the heavens, bringing order and marking time, a reflection of His sovereignty over creation. Similarly, the ark of the covenant resting in the middle of the Jordan signifies God’s presence at the heart of His people’s deliverance. The hidden stones beneath the river remind us of a mystery that was once concealed but has now been revealed through Christ: the unity of Jew and Gentile as one new man.
This “middle” placement reinforces the idea that God works through significant turning points, orchestrating His plan of redemption with precision and purpose. The stones, both visible and hidden, testify to His divine order, calling us to trust in His perfect timing as we await the fulfillment of all things.
This unity shines even brighter when we examine the Tree of Life described in Revelation 22. Tradition often holds that the Tree of Life bears 12 kinds of fruit, but a closer reading unveils something far more extraordinary. Revelation 22:2 states, “On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.” The text points to trees on both sides of the river—12 on each side—producing 24 kinds of fruit in total. This imagery mirrors the 24 stones in Joshua: a testament to God’s abundant provision and the completion of His redemptive plan.
Both the Tree of Life and the 24 stones serve as profound symbols of unity, healing, and restoration, bridging what was once divided. Just as the stones were placed on either side of the Jordan and the Tree of Life grows on both sides of the river, so God’s throne is surrounded by 24 elders (Revelation 4:4). These elders do not merely symbolize leadership but represent the fullness of God’s redeemed people—12 for the first fruits of Israel and 12 for the first fruits of the Gentiles. Together, they embody the perfect union of Jew and Gentile in God’s eternal design.
The number 24 appears repeatedly in Scripture, signifying completion, unity, and divine order. The Tree of Life’s 24 fruits, the 24 elders around the throne, and the 24 stones in Joshua 4 all point to God’s redemptive work and the reconciliation of His people. The stones at Gilgal, visible and set as a memorial, represent the first fruits of Israel’s deliverance—a testimony to God’s covenant with the 12 tribes. The hidden stones beneath the Jordan, however, unveil a deeper layer of God’s plan. Though they too represent first fruits, they symbolize what was once concealed—the inclusion of the Gentile Bride in God’s redemptive work, a mystery revealed through Christ.
This duality of the stones—one group visible, the other hidden—reflects the mystery of the gospel. Revelation 14:4 describes the 144,000 as “the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.” These first fruits include 144,000 from Israel and 144,000 from the Gentile Bride, totaling 288,000. This doubling of 144 mirrors the duality of the stones, with one group (Israel) openly revealed and the other (Gentiles) hidden for a time, yet both integral to God’s divine order and plan for unity.
The placement of the hidden stones beneath the Jordan is deeply significant. It reminds us that God’s plan unfolds in stages, with the visible often representing what is already fulfilled and the hidden pointing to what is yet to come. Together, the stones at Gilgal and beneath the Jordan testify to the unity of Jew and Gentile as one new man in Christ, fulfilling the promise of reconciliation and reflecting the fullness of God’s people in His eternal kingdom.
This imagery calls us to marvel at the unity and completion of God’s work. Jew and Gentile, visible and hidden, past and future—all are reconciled and brought together in Christ. The river flowing through the Jordan and Revelation reminds us of the life-giving power of God’s Spirit, an unending source of renewal and hope.
As we reflect on these truths, we are reminded of our role in God’s masterpiece. We are called to be living stones, built up as a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5), testifying to His glory. The stones in the Jordan, the Tree of Life, and the elders around the throne all point to the day when God will unite His people as one. Let us stand firm in this hope, proclaiming His promises and eagerly awaiting the time when every hidden mystery is revealed, and all things are made new in Him.
Amen.
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