From a high mountain, the antithesis of the desert where he contemplated the great prostitute (17:3), John, the seer, with the power of the Spirit, receives a profound prophetic vision: a new city. The entire city radiates with God’s light. A detailed description of its architectural features follows. The new Jerusalem, shining with God’s light, becomes a symbol or a beacon for all humanity. The universal calling of the Church is highlighted once again.
With the beginning of chapter 22, we shift from the symbolic view of the city to that of paradise. These first five verses express a longing found in all religions, each naming it differently: the dream of Eden. It is a quest for lost origins, a nostalgia for divine peace with all creation restored. God’s light is so intense that the astral lights (sun and moon) and the lamps of worship seem dim in comparison. The symbolism of this mysterious light illustrates the divine life that magnificently surrounds all humanity. It is an abundance of life, imperishable and eternal.