Tale of Two Cities
A key theme in Revelation is the contrast and conflict between the two cities - New Jerusalem and Babylon, the Great Whore . The Book of Revelation often uses several terms to portray the same reality. For example, the people of God are called the “ servants of God ,” the “ saints ,” and the “ brethren .” Churches are represented by “ lampstands ” and the “ Two Witnesses .” The overarching cosmic conflict between the “ Dragon ” and the “ Lamb ” is presented by comparing two very different “ cities .”