Revelation 21:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus we see that the saved nations will walk in its light and, crowned with victory over the passions, will bring into it the honor and glory of good works.

In the image of light, it is plainly shown that the Lamb is the lamp of the city, and that kings and nations walk in His light. Understanding this, the prophet said: “In Your light we shall see light” (Ps 35:10). Of this light the apostle said: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Rom 13:12). The evangelist writes in a similar way: “The life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (Jn 1:4-5). In other words, the hardened nature of our frailty and the darkened shadow of our humanity became manifest after the Lord assumed flesh. When God the Light inhabited a portion of our flesh, He illumined all of it with the majesty of glory.

The saved nations will walk in its light. This means not only the Gentile nations, but also the saints from Israel who believed. But since the saints from the Gentiles are far more numerous, he shows both groups within this multitude. By the kings of the earth are meant the saints, of whom it is written: when the Almighty scattered kings on this land, it became white as snow on Salmon (Ps 67:15). Therefore they possess glory and honor. For he says that they bring the glory of their virtue into that sacred city, as though affirming that blessedness according to virtue remains with the saints.

Some interpreters understand by the saved nations all people in general who are worthy of salvation. By the kings of the earth they understand people who reign on earth over passions and delusions, and who, having conquered them with God's help, appear with glory and honor in the sanctuary of eternal light.

By what features is the inner life of the inhabitants of the heavenly city described? This means that heavenly religion is wholly spiritual and without rites. There the one pure and unveiled truth will be directly received and known by all. There will be no need of a material temple, because worship will be offered directly to the Lord God in the living image of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly, the heavenly city needs no illumination, for the glory of God illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb; cf. Isa 60:19. This means that every member of the Church of God in heaven will be wholly embraced by the Spirit of God. Each will be abundantly illumined by the light of the knowledge of God and of the glory of God.