The Streets of the Spiritual City

Regarding the showing of an ascent, Zion must be turned back through a high allegorical understanding, calling the things philosophized by the one speaking to the Hebrews the true Jerusalem, writing: 'You have ascended, Zion, mountains and city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, and church of the firstborn, who celebrate festivals with myriads of angels' (Heb 12:22), for which reason they are 'written in the heavens,' having been granted citizenship in the holy and heavenly city.

Such as the apostles also were, hearing from the King of all: 'Rejoice that your names have been written in the heavens' (Rev 3:5). This scripture of 'living' things is a 'book.' Concerning these blessed ones, the vessel of election is marked thus: 'With also Clement and the rest whose names are in the book of life.' The Lord of all says: 'Thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet elders and elders shall sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each having his staff in his hand, from day to day. And the streets of the city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets' (Zech 8:4-5).

As for a literal sense, the prophet's proclamation declares that Jerusalem is being restored to a deep and tranquil political state. For since there is no disturbance and all wars are shot away far from the beautiful city, with no fear of enemies expected at all, those having the age of elders from long duration and many days, men and women alike, shall yet sit as before the captivity in the streets, having staffs in hand; first the elders, and let it be known if also the elders women; for the staff is a symbol of honor.

Thus, those preceding in age being seated, the streets shall be filled with boys and girls playing, not being restless in the streets due to the bringing of infants, or enemies lying in wait, or expected wars.

Of the history spoken, let those things be said toward the intellect. The glorious Church is a spiritual city having streets, concerning which it is announced to the one holding it, the King of all: 'The city of God was spoken of as having been glorified concerning you' (Rev 21:2). For how could it not be song-worthy and much-praised, having been moistened by divine drinks...

Taking from 'the river of the water of life of God'. It is also said in the forty-fifth and fifty-first Psalms regarding the royal city and those receiving gifts near the one ruling it royally: 'The streams of the river gladden the city of God; the Most High has sanctified its tabernacle, God is in its midst, it shall not be shaken' (Psalm 45:7). For the Most High, having sanctified its tabernacle, dwells in the midst of the peaceful city being spoken of, never becoming outside of it, but remaining unshakeable within it.

2.248 The streets of this beautiful city exist as virtues and their actions, about which the wise man reports proverbially, characterizing wisdom thus: 'Wisdom is praised in exits, leads to boldness in the streets, and is proclaimed upon the edges of the walls.' For how could the wisdom of God not lead to boldness in the streets of the spiritual city, again saying another wise saying: 'Desiring wisdom, observe the commandments, and the Lord will supply it to you' (Psalm 119:2), each commandment being called a wide street because of its breadth, as to say to the hymn-singer toward God: 'Your commandment is exceedingly broad'?

2.249 One must observe whether it is said according to this thought by the bride of Christ in the erotic drama: 'On my bed in the night I sought him whom my soul loved and found him not; I called him, and he did not obey me. I will arise and go about the city, in the markets and in the streets, until I find him' (Song of Songs 3:1-4). For in the time of conjugal union and resting, whom he allegorically called night, having thought the divine bridegroom was present with her, she sought and found him not, and having called and not having him listening, it was so that something useful happened to her by being distanced, so that she might be more wounded by love toward him; for the love toward him is more raised by the distancing of the one being loved.

2.250 Having suffered this, therefore, she arose, rousing herself, and seeks him nowhere else but in the churches, which are holy marketplaces. There the appointed apostles and prophets and teachers discourse on the rites and mysteries of the truth of the kingdom of God.

2.251 In seeking him in the marketplaces and in the streets, already having been interpreted, she hastens to encounter the one being sought, so that finding him...