Migrants in second-century Rome read the New Jerusalem in Revelation as a source of hope, safety and community. Research by theologian Filipe Carvalho dos Santos shows that this future vision is surprisingly relevant for contemporary debates on migration, refugee integration and rapid urbanisation in growing cities.
‘In traditional scholarship, the New Jerusalem is often seen as an abstract religious symbol. In my research, I combine migration theory, social history, biblical theology and urban studies. I explore how this future vision was received by migrants living in the overcrowded Roman insulae, facing poverty, legal insecurity and high mortality rates,’ Dos Santos explains.
Migrants’ perspective on the New Jerusalem in Revelation
By combining ancient sources with models such as the Push–Pull framework and the Urban Graveyard Theory, Dos Santos reconstructs how a second-century migrant may have interpreted Revelation. The New Jerusalem emerges as a ‘counter-city’: an alternative to precarious urban life and a source of hope, dignity and survival.
He continues: ‘The search of contemporary migrants for a “perfect city” reveals how powerful this desire remains. In that light, I understand the New Jerusalem as the ultimate fulfilment of that universal aspiration.’
From ancient Rome to contemporary cities
The research connects early Christian history with current societal challenges linked to migration and urban growth. According to Dos Santos, faith communities, policymakers and civil society organisations can play an important role in supporting the integration of newcomers in cities.
‘Early Christians in the slums of Rome formed “fictive families” that provided food, funerals and mutual support,’ Dos Santos says. ‘These social structures remain relevant today. Local communities can function as support networks for refugees and migrants, offering practical, social and emotional care.’
Revelation and inclusive cities
The research sheds new light on issues such as xenophobia, exclusion, social cohesion and urban poverty. Dos Santos advocates inclusive cities with “open gates”, in which vulnerable groups are protected and diversity is valued.
The future vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation thus functions not only as a religious expectation, but also as an inspiration for inclusive urban development. It offers a new perspective on migration and coexistence in the twenty-first century.
Interdisciplinary approach
Dos Santos research is based on literature review and textual analysis. He combines insights from biblical theology, social history, urban studies and migration theory to reconstruct the lived experience of migrants in second-century Rome.
This approach creates a new interpretative framework for Revelation and the New Jerusalem, linking ancient migration experiences to contemporary questions of integration, migration and inclusive cities.