The concept of City of God in Christianity

The City of God, according to Christianity, represents a spiritual and eternal realm where God resides, symbolizing safety and fulfillment for believers. It serves as a metaphor for a peaceful community characterized by righteousness and communion with God, contrasting with earthly struggles. This concept emphasizes the ultimate destination for the faithful, depicting a divine community that endures through history and signifies a place of belonging and protection under divine authority. The City of God is central to prophetic expectations and symbolizes eternal peace for its inhabitants.

Synonyms: Heavenly city, Divine city, Celestial city, Metropolis, Holy city, Eternal city, Paradise, Elysium

In Dutch: Stad van God; In Finnish: Jumalan kaupunki; In Spanish: Ciudad de Dios; In German: Stadt Gottes; In Malay: Kota Tuhan; In Swedish: Guds stad; In French: Cité de Dieu

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'City of God'

Christianity Books

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) This phrase represents a place of safety and righteousness, offering a sense of belonging beyond the confines of time and earthly existence.[1] (2) In this one, Zechariah sees a man with a measuring-rod in his hand coming forth to take the dimensions of the still un-existing city of God and the words that I have read are the centre portion of that vision.[2] (3) The city of God is the final seat of the city of God, and is not some far-off, misty heaven in space, but that new world which is the old.[3] (4) A term used to describe the ultimate heavenly destination for the faithful, symbolizing security, permanence, and a culmination of a life lived in accordance with God's purpose.[4] (5) The spiritual and eternal realm where God resides, symbolizing safety and fulfillment for believers.[5]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) The envisioned holy place where God dwells among His people, which is central to prophetic expectations.[6] (2) A metaphor for a spiritually ideal community or state where God's presence is fully realized.[7]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) The community associated with Abel, contrasting the godless pursuits of Cain and representing a more divine pursuit.[8] (2) A term referring to Jerusalem, emphasizing its divine significance and protection amidst the turmoil.[9]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) This is the meaning of the name Allah Shehr, which is what Philadelphia is known as now, highlighting its religious implications and history.[10]

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: The city of God

(1) This is the subject of the work, which the author has resolved to dedicate the entirety of his efforts, and it is referenced multiple times within the text.[11] (2) The City of God is a central concept, discussed throughout the provided text, that is related to the history and prophecies concerning the kings and prophets.[12] (3) This describes a group of citizens, living according to God, not according to man, and they are in a pilgrimage, living after the spirit.[13] (4) The author's subject, a glorious city, is defended against those who prefer their gods to its founder, and it exists both in faith during the present time and in the stability of its eternal seat.[14] (5) This refers to a specific city whose founder is Christ, which is separate from the city of this world, and whose enemies are those who prioritize other gods and persecute Christians with great animosity.[15]

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) The ultimate divine realm that believers are anticipated to inhabit, characterized by the glory of God which supersedes earthly light.[16]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) The city of God is made glad by the current flowing in the descending stream and it is not the visible Jerusalem but the blameless Church of God.[17] (2) This is a place that the river makes glad, and it is where God is, and the Father is in the Son, and it is contrasted with the river of Egypt.[18] (3) A holy and good place referred to in Scripture, representing a divine reality apart from earthly cities.[19] (4) The ultimate spiritual dwelling place sought after by believers, transcending earthly locations and symbolizing divine presence.[20] (5) A metaphorical place of salvation and eternal dwelling for the righteous.[21]

From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary

(1) A spiritual realm described in biblical text meant to encourage believers, depicted as lofty and immune to destruction.[22]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Kebra Nagast

(1) This is a reference to a divine place, where a speaker proclaims the marvellous nature of its speech and its significance.[23]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Gnostic concept of 'City of God'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten

(1) A metaphorical or spiritual realm associated with divine existence.[24]

Plural form: City of gods.