Definition

Noun phrase: - A symbolic or poetic name for Heaven; the abode of God, angels, and the souls of the righteous after death. The term evokes a perfect, divine, and eternal city, often used in religious and literary contexts to represent the ultimate destination of the faithful.

Usage

• The phrase "heavenly city" is used as a proper noun or a metaphorical name, often capitalized (e.g., the Heavenly City). It describes the Christian concept of Heaven as a glorious, perfected metropolis.
• It is primarily found in theological discussions, hymns, and literary works.

Examples

• In his sermon, the pastor described the Heavenly City as a place of eternal peace and joy.
• The pilgrims journeyed for years, their eyes fixed on the hope of reaching the heavenly city.
• Her poetry often contrasts the troubles of earthly life with the splendor of the heavenly city.

Advanced Usage

• "The Celestial City": This is a direct synonym and the most famous literary usage, originating from John Bunyan's , where it is the goal of the protagonist, Christian.
  • After many trials, Christian finally glimpsed the gates of the Celestial City.

Variants and Related Words

• Celestial City (n): An identical term popularized by Bunyan's allegory.
• New Jerusalem (n): A biblical name for the holy city coming down from Heaven, as described in the Book of Revelation; closely related in meaning.
• Zion (n): In Christian theology, often used symbolically to refer to the heavenly kingdom or the city of God.
• Paradise (n): A general term for Heaven, often implying a garden-like setting rather than a city.

Synonyms

• Kingdom of Heaven
• Paradise
• The hereafter
• The abode of God

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Gates of the Heavenly City": A phrase emphasizing entry or arrival into Heaven.
  • The old hymn speaks of the saints marching through the gates of the Heavenly City.
• "Streets paved with gold": A common descriptive idiom associated with the heavenly city, derived from biblical descriptions of the New Jerusalem.
  • Children often imagine the heavenly city with streets paved with gold.

Noun

1. phrases used to refer to Heaven
   • the Celestial City was Christian's goal in Bunyan's `Pilgrim's Progress'