Why is the Church referred to as the heavenly Jerusalem?
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The Church is called the heavenly Jerusalem because it is the spiritual body of believers, gathered under Christ, with God dwelling in their midst.
In the New Testament, particularly in Hebrews 12:22-23, the Church is depicted as the heavenly Jerusalem, which signifies a fulfilled promise where God dwells among His people. This concept portrays the unity of believers from all nations who are included as citizens of this spiritual city. Just as the physical Jerusalem had a historical significance, the heavenly Jerusalem reflects the ultimate gathering of God's elect, where the barriers of ethnicity and past enmity are destroyed through Christ's sacrifice. The Church, therefore, becomes the embodiment of God's redemptive work, a place where He fulfills His promise of protection and inclusion.
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