ACC ~ Revelation 21 v2

IN THE NEW JERUSALEM, HUMANITY IS DISCIPLINED FOR INCORRUPTION. IRENAEUS: Of this Jerusalem the former one is an image—that Jerusalem of the former earth in which the righteous are disciplined beforehand for incorruption and prepared for salvation. And of this tabernacle Moses received the pattern in the mount; and nothing is capable of being allegorized, but all things are steadfast and true and substantial, having been made by God for righteous people’s enjoyment. For as it is God truly who raises up humankind, so also does humankind truly rise from the dead, and not allegorically. … And as he rises actually, so also shall he be actually disciplined beforehand for incorruption and shall go forward and flourish in the times of the kingdom, in order that he may be capable of receiving the glory of the Father. AGAINST HERESIES 5.35.2.

IN THE NEW JERUSALEM NO TRACE OF EARTHLY BLEMISH REMAINS. AUGUSTINE: This city is said to come down out of heaven in the sense that God created it by means of heavenly grace, as he told it through Isaiah: “I am the Lord creating thee.” Indeed, its descent from heaven began with the beginning of time, since it is by God’s grace coming down from above through the “laver of regeneration” in the Holy Spirit sent from heaven that its citizenship has continuously grown up on earth. Yet only after God’s last judgment, the one he has deputed to Jesus Christ his Son, will his tremendous gift of grace be revealed so brightly in [Jerusalem] that in this new brightness there will remain no traces of its earthly blemishes. For then its members’ bodies will pass over from mortal corruptibility to the new immortality of incorruption. CITY OF GOD 20.17.

THE SAINTS ARE UNITED WITH THEIR LORD. APRINGIUS OF BEJA: The heavenly Jerusalem is the multitude of the saints who will come with the Lord, even as Zechariah said: “Behold, my Lord God will come, and all his saints with him.” These are being prepared for God as a fine dwelling, namely, those who will live with him. “As a bride adorned for her husband.” Adorned with holiness and righteousness, they go to be united with their Lord and shall remain with him forever. TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.2.

JERUSALEM IS THE BLESSED DESTINY OF THE SAINTS. OECUMENIUS: By Jerusalem he symbolizes the blessed destiny and dwelling of the saints, which he figuratively calls Jerusalem both here and in the following passages. He has described its adornment magnificently and becomingly, so that we might lead our minds from perceptible realities to the spiritual bliss of the life of the saints. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 20.13-21.2.

THE KINGLY TRINITY DWELLS IN THE NEW JERUSALEM. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: This passage shows the renewal and transformation to a more brilliant appearance that the Jerusalem above will acquire when it comes down from the incorporeal powers above to humankind, since Christ, our God, has become the common Head of both. This city is constructed of the saints concerning whom it is written, “Holy stones are rolled upon the land,” and it has Christ as its cornerstone. It is called a “city,” since it is the dwelling place of the kingly Trinity—for [the Trinity] dwells in it and walks in it, as he promised—and it is called “bride,” since it is joined to the Lord and is united with him in the highest, inseparable conjunction. It is “adorned,” since within, as the psalm says, it has glory and youth in its manifold virtues. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.2.

Rev