New Heaven and New Earth
Feast day: November 1
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The new Jerusalem comes down from heaven: God lives with people and wipes away their tears (Rv 21)
What does this Bible passage tell?
These are the very last chapters of the whole Bible. Saint John writes: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Rv 21:1). Then he saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Rv 21:2).
The story
A loud voice cried out from the throne: “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them” (Rv 21:3). Then came a very tender promise: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Rv 21:4). There will be no more death, mourning or pain (cf. Rv 21:4). The One who sat on the throne said: “Behold, I make all things new.” (Rv 21:5).
The city shone like a precious stone, clear as crystal; it had twelve gates, and each gate was a single pearl (cf. Rv 21:11-12, 21). There was no temple in the city, because God and the Lamb are its temple; and the city had no need of sun or moon, for “its lamp was the Lamb.” (Rv 21:23). A river of life-giving water flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb, and the tree of life bore fruit every month (cf. Rv 22:1-2).
On the card, an old woman leads her little grandchild by the hand; both are dressed in white, and an angel welcomes them at the city gate.
What does it mean?
The new Jerusalem is an image of heaven and of the Church made perfect: the place where God lives with people forever. At the end of time, Christ will come again, the dead will rise, and all of heaven and earth will be made new (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1042-1047). The Lamb is Jesus himself, who gave his life for us; through him, God opens the gates of heaven and invites everyone, old and young alike. This is where the life of every Christian, and all of history, is heading.
A lesson for you
- When you are sad or lose someone you love, remember the promise: God will wipe away every tear.
- Answer God’s love by praying and living well every day, because you are on your way home to the Father’s house in heaven.
- Each time you take part in Mass, you join the whole Church in adoring the Lamb, as if tasting the joy of heaven ahead of time.
Identifying marks
- A holy city as clear as crystal, coming down from heaven on the clouds: the new Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God” (Rv 21:2), an image of our home in heaven, where God lives with his people.
- Twelve city gates, each one a pearl: “each of the gates made from a single pearl” (Rv 21:21); our Father’s house in heaven is more precious than any treasure.
- The Lamb standing on a shining throne in the city: Jesus, the Lamb of God; “its lamp was the Lamb” (Rv 21:23), so the city needs no sun.
- A crystal-clear river flowing from the throne, with trees heavy with fruit on both banks: the river of life-giving water and the tree of life (cf. Rv 22:1-2); God gives life in abundance.
- A grandmother and her grandchild dressed in white, welcomed into the city by an angel (an illustrative detail): those who are saved, old and young alike, come in to live with God forever; Scripture says there is an angel at each gate (cf. Rv 21:12).
Prayer
Living today in hope
- We are journeying toward our eternal home. Life is a pilgrimage toward God.
- Every hope finds its answer in God. The longing of young people for happiness is fulfilled in Him.
Live today with hope for eternal happiness.
Prayer
Lord, grant me to share in the happiness of the New Jerusalem.
The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.
Compiled by i-Catholic · About