ACC ~ Revelation 21 v22

NO TEMPLE IS NECESSARY. APRINGIUS OF BEJA: God established the temple so that the people gathered within the walls of the temple might call upon him whom neither the world nor the temple can contain. In this way their minds might obtain through the work of faith what cannot be seen of God. However, where he openly manifests himself to the faithful there a temple is neither desired nor existent, for he who sanctifies the temple is known in the sight of all. TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.22.

ONE OF THE HOLY TRINITY WAS INCARNATED. OECUMENIUS: What need is there of a temple when God is present and in some manner lives with the saints and when God’s face is to some extent made visible? For the holy apostle has said that in the present age the knowledge of God is “in a mirror” and “in darkness” but that in the coming age such knowledge will be “face to face.”Someone might reasonably ask, “Why did he mention God the Almighty, that is, the Father of the Lord and the Lamb, the Son of God, but did not yet mention the Holy Spirit?” To such a person one must respond, “When he says the Lord and God, he is naming the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, for these are God. And further, when he says the Lord God the Almighty he indicates the holy Trinity by the three designations.” But someone might inquire further, “Why, then, having mentioned the venerable Trinity by the words ‘the Lord God the Almighty is its temple,’ does he make special mention of the Lamb, who is Christ, so that we no longer are to consider the Trinity?” Let it not seem to him to be so, for we are not taught to think that! Rather, when it mentions the holy Trinity and the Lamb, the passage indicates that one of the holy Trinity has become incarnate and that with his flesh the Son fills the holy Trinity and even now in heaven is not without his flesh. For figuratively he signified the Son who became flesh through the name God, who is the Son, while by “Lamb” he indicated the very same Christ incarnated, consubstantial with us and endowed with a rational soul, to which flesh the Word was united hypostatically. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.15-22.

THE CHURCH WILL BE WHOLE. PRIMASIUS: Just as the body consists of individual members, so is the temple constructed from precious stones. Although we are accustomed to material things, he does not want us here to think of something physical as is our habit. Therefore, relieving us from this manner of thinking, he says, “I saw in it no temple, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.” For when the tares have been removed, then shall the church especially exult in the elect alone and remain consecrated in God as though she were resting completely in a temple. In this way the church may obtain a blessed habitation in him from whom she had received the origin of her existence and had come to know the gentleness of redemption. For the church’s wholeness is completed in these three things: in being, in knowing and in loving. God created her that she might be fashioned [according to his will]; having called her, he enlightened her; having elected her, he has made her blessed. God intends that when perfected [the church] will dwell in him by way of the promised glorification, when she no longer walks by way of faith but rejoices in his sight. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.22.

THE CHURCH IS IN GOD. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: [He saw no temple in the city] because the church is in God and God is in the church. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.22, HOMILY 19.

GOD IS TEMPLE AND INDWELLER. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: For what need of a physical temple is there for one who will have God as protection and shelter, in whom we live and move and have our being? For he himself is both temple and in-dweller of the saints, dwelling in them and walking among them, as he promised. The “Lamb” is the Lamb of God who was slain for us, to whom manifestly the co-essential and life-giving Spirit is conjoined, who is mentioned a little later through [the image] of the river.COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.22.

GOD WILL BE THE HOUSE AND REST OF THE SAINTS. BEDE: It says, “Although I have said that the city was constructed of stones, nevertheless I have not indicated by this that the rest of the saints will be in a material building. For God himself will be their sole house and light and rest.” EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 21.22.

Rev