Reading for July 20th

 Read Revelation 21.9-21. In 21.9-22.5: The vision of the woman of the Lamb. After the general picture of the new creation we have a detailed portrayal of the new Jerusalem, presented as a paired vision to that of the "the  great city" (see 17.3). The bride motif points to the wedding that  culminated the holy war myth. In verse 10: In the spirit, see 17.3. The mountain is traditionally the place of revelation (Ex 19.20=25); John's vision is built on that of Ezekiel (ch. 40). In verse 11: The glory of God was traditional language for God's presence in the Temple (see Ezek 10.18; 43.40). God was described as jasper at 4.3. In verses 12-21: All the city's attributes are  symbolic of the people of God (whose number is twelve). The city has twelve gates because the people of God enter here, the twelve angels are the heavenly counterparts to the earthly messengers; reference to twelve tribes reminds us that those who enter "keep the commandments of God" (12.17; see 7.4-8): the twelve apostles are now understood as the foundation of God's new work (suggesting that John lived in the post-apostolic generation). The angel with the measuring rod provides the symbolic figure that interpret the meaning of the city. It is foursquare because it is of the earth. The English measure of fifteen hundred miles hides the significance of the Greek's 12,000 stadia.  This city would be a hundred times larger than ancient Babylon. The wall is 144 cubits high (twelve squared) about 300 feet. Every jewel points to the richness of the city; those named correspond to the jewels associated with the twelve signs of the zodiac, in reverse order (see also Ex 28.17-21; 39.10-14). Comments or Questions..