Topical Bible: Titles and Names of the Church: Holy City

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The term "Holy City" is a significant title and name for the Church, reflecting its sanctified and set-apart nature as the dwelling place of God among His people. This designation is deeply rooted in biblical theology and eschatology, symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Biblical References:

1. Revelation 21:2 · "I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." This verse presents the Holy City as the new Jerusalem, a metaphor for the Church in its glorified state. The imagery of a bride adorned for her husband underscores the intimate and covenantal relationship between Christ and His Church.

2. Revelation 21:10 · "And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God." Here, the Holy City is depicted as descending from heaven, emphasizing its divine origin and purity. The Church, as the Holy City, is portrayed as the culmination of God's salvific work, a place where His presence dwells eternally.

3. Hebrews 12:22 · "Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem." This passage identifies the Church with the heavenly Jerusalem, highlighting its spiritual reality and connection to the divine. The Church is not merely an earthly institution but a spiritual entity that participates in the heavenly realm.

Theological Significance:

The title "Holy City" conveys the idea of holiness and separation unto God. The Church, as the Holy City, is called to be distinct from the world, reflecting God's character and purposes. This holiness is not inherent but is imparted through the redemptive work of Christ and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy City also represents the eschatological hope of believers. It points to the future reality where the Church will dwell in perfect communion with God, free from sin and death. This hope is a source of encouragement and motivation for believers to live faithfully in the present age.

Symbolism and Imagery:

The imagery associated with the Holy City is rich and multifaceted. It includes elements of beauty, purity, and divine architecture, as seen in the descriptions of the new Jerusalem in Revelation. The city's gates, foundations, and streets of gold symbolize the glory and majesty of God's kingdom.

Moreover, the Holy City as a bride adorned for her husband highlights the Church's role as the beloved of Christ. This bridal imagery speaks to the love, commitment, and union between Christ and His Church, underscoring the relational aspect of salvation.

Practical Implications:

Understanding the Church as the Holy City has practical implications for believers. It calls the Church to live in holiness, reflecting God's character in a fallen world. It also encourages believers to anticipate the future fulfillment of God's promises, fostering a sense of hope and perseverance.

In summary, the title "Holy City" encapsulates the Church's identity as a sanctified community, its eschatological hope, and its calling to reflect God's holiness in the world. Through this designation, believers are reminded of their heavenly citizenship and the glorious future that awaits them in Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 21:2
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Continuation of the Discourse on the Holy Ghost.
... the Holy Spirit is but one;"of which names, we will ... alleged, it is established, that
though the titles of the ... by them and assembled in the Church, it came to ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xvii continuation of the.htm

The Institution of Deacons, and the History of Stephen.
... authority to certain persons, bearing such titles, and exercising ... fidelity, and to
the satisfaction of the Church. The names of the seven deacons being Greek ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture viii the institution of.htm

Letter Xcviii. From the Synod of Chalcedon to Leo.
... we have resolved on for the removal of all confusion and the confirmation of church
order. ... [443] One of the Latin versions adds the names and titles of the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xcviii from the synod.htm

Antichrist.
... they have invented so many places, offices, names, titles, orders, vows ... Now the church
of God shall read with great ... FROM THE "INTRODUCTION TO THE HOLY CITY.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiii antichrist.htm

The Mystery
... are desirous of forming the hypothesis, than names of men? ... What, then, if out of
these titles of human communities ... they call the state of the Church, about 7000 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery.htm

Epistle xx. To Mauricius Augustus.
... ground and in ashes, seek for themselves names of vanity, and glory in new and profane
titles. ... who does wrong to the holy Universal Church, who swells in ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xx to mauricius augustus.htm

The Struggler;
... any such Christians and doctrines; their names and doctrines ... though a prisoner, was,
by the church, called to ... not charge the following running-titles upon our ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the struggler.htm

The Ancient Form of Government Utterly Corrupted by the Tyranny of ...
... much less chaplainships and other similar worthless names. ... such offices, therefore,
by whatever titles they are ... following promises to his Church: "All kings ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the ancient form.htm

Philo's Embassy to Caius in Behalf of the Jews.
Church History. ... seems to be the same work under these two different titles in this
and ... by hanging in his palace some shields inscribed with the names of heathen ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter v philos embassy to caius.htm

The Land and the People.
... world; we need only recall such names as Spinoza ... the Christian Church in some ages
and sections presents a ... the humblest of the Messianic titles which represents ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 17 the land and.htm