How does God establish His eternal dwelling with redeemed humanity in the New Jerusalem, and what are the glories of this celestial city?

The visionary contemplates a renewed cosmos comprising a new heaven and a transformed earth, as the former celestial expanse and turbulent ocean pass away; Bishop Challoner observes that this transformation alters the qualities rather than the intrinsic substance of the universe. John beholds the holy city, the New Jerusalem, descending from God out of heaven adorned like a radiant bride prepared for her husband. An authoritative declaration from the throne announces that God's dwelling place is now established among humanity, where He will reside with His people and wipe every tear from their eyes, banishing death, sorrow, lamentation, and pain forever. The enthroned one commands John to write because the words are most faithful and true, says It is done, and proclaims that he makes all things new, identifying Himself as the Alpha and the Omega who offers life-giving waters freely to every thirsty soul. While faithful victors inherit these blessings as children of God, impenitent transgressors—including the fearful, unbelieving, abominable and murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars—are sentenced to the burning lake of sulfur, which constitutes the second death.

One of the seven angels carrying the judgment bowls conducts John in spirit to a lofty mountain to unveil the bride of the Lamb. Radiating divine glory with brilliance resembling precious jasper crystal, the city features a high wall with twelve gates with twelve angels in the gates and inscribed with the names of Israel's twelve tribes, three facing each compass point. Its twelve foundation courses display the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles. Employing a golden measuring reed, the angel ascertains that the city forms a perfect cube of twelve thousand furlongs, with its length, breadth, and height being identical. Its protective wall measures one hundred forty-four cubits according to human standards used by the angel, as the annotation suggests as the apparent true meaning. Constructed of jasper and polished gold transparent as glass, the foundations are adorned, in order, with jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprasus, jacinth and amethyst, each portal consists of a single pearl, and its thoroughfare shines with clear golden splendor.

No structural temple exists within this heavenly commonwealth, because the Almighty Lord God and the Lamb are its living sanctuary. The city requires neither solar brilliance nor lunar illumination, being perpetually enlightened by divine glory with the Lamb as its radiant lamp. Global nations walk in its light, and earthly kings shall bring their glory and honour through gates that never close, since night never falls there. Absolute sanctity guards this celestial refuge, excluding every defilement and deception, and admitting solely those registered within the Lamb's book of life.