Apocalypse²: The Book of the Apocalypse to John

[Last Vision, 21:1-22:7] Now that all forces of adversary have been overcome, a new heaven and a new earth can come into being, with the new abode of humanity, the city which the Lamb has wedded, its inhabitants to be “with God”, with the Lamb their temple and light and lamp. Then one out of the seven angels with the bowls, carrying John away “in the Spirit” to show him this other picture of spiritual female humanity, measures for him city and gates and walls. Indeed, for the walls of the city human measure, that is, angelic measure is used (21:7). On its gates the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb appear, its measurements have the number same as those who first gathered around the Lamb, in its foundations the colors of precious stones shimmer; its gates and streets are made of pearls and gold. The city knows the light of the “God within”, without night and needing sun nor moon. Its gates shall never be closed but only those may enter who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Outside, in the realm of second death, have to stay those who “practice abomination or falsehood” in various forms. Through the city, springing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, flows the river of the water of life, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit on either side. At the throne of God and of the Lamb, his servants will worship him, seeing his face, his name on their foreheads, “reigning for ever and ever”. – The vision comes to an end with words of the angel to John, confirming his sending, with the affirmation “Behold, I am coming soon” and a blessing of those who keep the words of the prophecy of this book (the sixth beatitude).

We recognize that the apocalyptic process, made visible by the structure of the book, is in its core carried by the manifestations of Christ and the promise that he “is coming soon”. This, we will study next Sunday.