Fifth Sunday in Easter: Second Reading, Revelation 21:1-7           

Revelation 21:1-7

My, the first couple verses of this text are stunning. And surprising to some. It is the announcement that the apostle John is beholding the descent of “the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming own out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (v.2). Lots of conjecture and speculation on the nature of the new city, but there needn’t be. The New Jerusalem is us. It’s Christ’s holy church and there is a fundamental clue. The city is prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. We know that one major event pointed to in the Revelation is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It’s his wedding and his bride is who it’s always been. Just as Jesus of Nazareth displays Israel in a single man, so the New Jerusalem is a single entity displaying the many who are the Bride.

The city is holy. And its arrival marks the permanent dwelling place of God with men. And the characteristics of the blessings given to those in the city are those promised to the people of God throughout the Scriptures. It is a mystery no doubt.  But the who question is solved. That’s us. God be praised!