ISB ~ Revelation 21 v2

new Jerusalem:The heavenly city, whose builder and maker is God (Heb 11:10). It touches down to earth so that the worshiping Church can join in the heavenly liturgy of the angels and saints, who never cease to praise the Lord and the Lamb (Heb 12:22-25). Visions of this eternal liturgy punctuate the Book of Revelation (4:1-5:14; 7:9-8:5; 11:15-19; 14:1-5; 15:1-8) (CCC 757). Also, there are several antithetical parallels between the new Jerusalem and the harlot city stricken with judgment in chaps. 17-18. (1) In 17:1, John is invited by an angel to “come” and see the harlot; in 21:9, he is invited by an angel to “come” and see the heavenly city. (2) In 17:3, John is carried by the Spirit to see the wicked city in the wilderness; in 21:10, he is carried by the Spirit to see the holy city from a high mountain. (3) In 17:4, the woman city is dressed like a prostitute, wearing gold, jewels, and pearls; in 21:11, 18, and 21, the woman city is adorned like a virgin bride, bedecked with gold, jewels, and gates made of pearl. (4) In 18:2, Babylon appears as a dwelling place of demons; in 21:3, the new Jerusalem appears as the dwelling place of God. (5) In 18:7, Babylon is accused of glorifying herself; in 21:23, the new city is wrapped in the glory of God. (6) In 18:23, the harlot city deceives the nations with her sorcery; in 21:24, the holy city leads the nations by her light.

prepared as a bride:The Church is made ready for her everlasting union with Christ the Bridegroom. See note on Rev 19:7-9.