Rev.21:1

[DCD]

Need some help with this verse. Anyone have any comments on the literal sense? What about the spiritual, allegorical, and anagogical sense?

Peace,
David

 

[jmcrae]

After the end of this world, there will be a new Creation, which will be perfect in every way.

There won’t be any humans in it: we’ll either be in Heaven or in Hell. But I suppose that those who are in Heaven will come down to visit it from time to time.

In certain sectors of the church there are debates raging over whether the animals and plants of today will be “reincarnated” in the new Creation, or whether God will create new animals and plants to live there. (This is related to the idea of plants and animals “going to heaven,” [no] or having an afterlife of some kind. [maybe - hence the debate])

 

[FrJindra]

My take on this is that John understood that the old order would be removed, including all wrong of sin and death. The new earth - followed by the New Jerusalem would superceed(sp) all. Look at 21:3 - the human race is mentioned, so I would disagree with the jmcrae who said humans would not be there.

What John saw, in my opinion, is describing the final victory over unrighteousness. There is your spiritual sense.

Allegorically, the New Jerusalem is seen as the bride of Christ, and thus this victory of judgement is assured for his Church/Bride - and for all its members/children.

Anagogically, the New Jerusalem is the destination of all the people of God. So we are being lead to desire and anticipate in our longing that time when “He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes” (21:4).

See also paragraphs 756 and 1043 of the Catechism and other paragraphs surrounding those two.

 

[FrJindra]

My take on this is that John understood that the old order would be removed, including all wrong of sin and death. The new earth - followed by the New Jerusalem would supercede(sp?) all. Look at 21:3 - the human race is mentioned, so I would disagree with the jmcrae who said humans would not be there.

What John saw, in my opinion, is describing the final victory over unrighteousness. There is your spiritual sense.

Allegorically, the New Jerusalem is seen as the bride of Christ, and thus this victory of judgement is assured for his Church/Bride - and for all its members/children.

Anagogically, the New Jerusalem is the destination of all the people of God. So we are being lead to desire and anticipate in our longing that time when “He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes” (21:4).

See also paragraphs 756 and 1043 of the Catechism and other paragraphs surrounding those two.

 

[Nita]

*Rev. 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; 21:3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; *

I love these verses and consider every Mass a fulfillment of them. There we are joined by the Church Triumphant, (“the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven”). And in the Eucharist, Our Lord, God Himself is present, and remains with us in the tabernacle - “the dwelling of God is with men”.

In addition, I also see a final fulfillment at the end of the world.

Nita

 

[Steven_Merten]

Need some help with this verse. Anyone have any comments on the literal sense? What about the spiritual, allegorical, and anagogical sense?

Peace,
David

Hello David,

Here are some parallel scriptures to study.

**NAB ISA 62 **

For** Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, Until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication, and all kings your glory; You shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the LORD. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD, a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall men call you “Forsaken,” or your land “Desolate,” But you shall be called “My Delight,” and your land “Espoused.” For the LORD delights in you, and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; And as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you. Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have stationed watchmen; Never, by day or by night, shall they be silent. O you who are to remind the LORD, take no rest And give no rest to him, until he re-establishes Jerusalem And makes of it the pride of the earth. The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm**: No more will I give your grain as food to your enemies; Nor shall foreigners drink your wine, for which you toiled. But you who harvest the grain shall eat it, and you shall praise the LORD; You who gather the grapes shall drink the wine in the courts of my sanctuary. Pass through, pass through the gates, prepare the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, raise up a standard over the nations. See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, And you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken. **NAB ZEC 9:16 **

And the Lord, their God, shall save them on that day, his people, like a flock. For they are the jewels in a crown raised aloft over his land. For what wealth is theirs, and what beauty!

 

[Jeanette_L]

Hello David,

Here are some parallel scriptures to study.

**NAB ISA 62 **

For** Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, Until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication, and all kings your glory; You shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the LORD. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD, a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall men call you “Forsaken,” or your land “Desolate,” But you shall be called “My Delight,” and your land “Espoused.” For the LORD delights in you, and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; And as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you. Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have stationed watchmen; Never, by day or by night, shall they be silent. O you who are to remind the LORD, take no rest And give no rest to him, until he re-establishes Jerusalem And makes of it the pride of the earth. The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm**: No more will I give your grain as food to your enemies; Nor shall foreigners drink your wine, for which you toiled. But you who harvest the grain shall eat it, and you shall praise the LORD; You who gather the grapes shall drink the wine in the courts of my sanctuary. Pass through, pass through the gates, prepare the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, raise up a standard over the nations. See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, And you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken. **NAB ZEC 9:16 **

And the Lord, their God, shall save them on that day, his people, like a flock. For they are the jewels in a crown raised aloft over his land. For what wealth is theirs, and what beauty!

It is going to be AWSOME!!!