The New Jerusalem

Part 13 concludes the study of the symbolic similarities between the Holy Spirit and the Church, then turns to one of the most fascinating symbols of the series: the Tree of Life.

Revelation 19 describes the Bride as having made herself ready, arrayed in fine linen — the righteousness of saints received from the Lamb. In Revelation 21, John sees the holy city, New Jerusalem, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” If the future city is compared to the Bride, what of the Jerusalem which is above now? Paul answers: “Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all” (Galatians 4:26). An elder Jerusalem and a younger Jerusalem — like Mother, like daughter.

The episode also considers the Spirit’s intercession (Romans 8:26), then notes that the seven lamps before the throne find an earthly counterpart in the menorah, a lampstand resembling a burning almond tree — pointing to the burning bush and, before it, the Tree of Life.