In biblical times, cities are surrounded by walls that serve to protect citizens from a multitude of threats: marauding armies, bands of outlaws, and wild animals. The gates are left open during the day to facilitate trade and commerce but are shut tight at night to keep out danger. In our passage today, we read about a heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, where God resides and the gates “will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.” God-worshiping people from all the nations will fill the city and nothing evil will enter it. In a world full of terrorism, wars, cruelty, and greed, we long for this holy city without night and without evil.

Those who enter this city—to which God invites all—will find no divisions. Nothing is accursed; a river bears life-giving water to persons and to trees that bring fruit and healing; no darkness separates the light. And there is no separation between God and the people: God and the Lamb dwell not in a temple but amongst the nations within the city.

We long to share God’s abundance and light with people from all the nations and join together in praising God and sharing God’s abundant blessings. We long to find our home in God’s presence. Faith in this heavenly vision keeps us focused on how we should live each day. Instead of walling ourselves off from potential dangers or from those persons who are different from us, John’s vision of God’s new heaven and new Jerusalem invites all of the good from all nations into God’s light. Peace comes not from lack of difference but from lack of separation. As we seek to live together despite our differences, God will dwell among us.