THEOSISBeda Venerabilis
The descendants of Judah emerged, not from Babylon. Among these descendants were those who had relocated from Judea to Babylon as well as those born in Babylon itself. Despite their physical origin in Babylon, their hearts deeply yearned for Judah and Jerusalem. A prominent figure among them was Zerubbabel, who bore a name indicative of his Babylonian birth, yet his intentions and deeds revealed him to be a true citizen of Jerusalem. In a broader sense, they can all be regarded as children of the Church, heirs of the heavenly homeland. This includes not only those who have already received the sacraments of the Church but also those who have long been lost in the ways of the wicked.
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These individuals, chosen by Divine grace before the ages, were destined to be welcomed into the mysteries of Divine benevolence.
Each person returned to his own city, affirming that while each lived in different locations, collectively they recognized Jerusalem and Judah as their home. Thus, Jerusalem denotes the universal scope of the holy Church, which embraces all of humanity. The cities associated with Jerusalem symbolize the virtues of the faithful, providing them a sanctuary against temptation and the assaults of evil spirits, akin to a fortified stronghold composed of various cities. Ultimately, the different locations inhabited by those who returned to Jerusalem and Judea may be seen as the diverse congregations within Christ’s Church, from which the one universal Church is formed.