6.2.3.3 The city of God

In the image of the city of God, the church is shown as the place where God dwells among all those who belong to Him. On earth, church is the place where Jesus Christ, the Mediator, makes salvation accessible in various ways and grants fellowship with God. In this respect, church is the place of encounter with God, as well as the place of worship and divine service.

The church of Christ transcends human imagination. It is both of this world and of the world to come, it is both present and future. These manifestations belong together. Hebrews 12: 22-24 gives an indication of the grandeur of the church in its ultimate perfection. The words, "you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem," are directed at the church in its absolute fullness. In this respect, the earthly side of the church is interwoven with its heavenly side. God rules in the heavenly Jerusalem. This includes the angels, "the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven", the perfected righteous souls, and Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant.

In heaven God is worshipped and praised by the heavenly creatures (Psalm 29: 1; Revelation 4). Believers do the same on earth, namely in the earthly side of the church of Christ.

In the future city of God, New Jerusalem, God Himself will dwell with mankind (Revelation 21: 3).