Chapter VIII.
The impious are compared favorably in their destruction with a dream, because their souls are found devoid of all good things; and their dark images are erased from the light of heavenly Jerusalem.
23. Therefore, he says here: They have failed and perished because of their wickedness, like the dream of one waking up (Psalm 72:19-20), that is, the wicked fail and vanish like a dream upon waking; for they are in darkness, and they have walked in darkness, and there is no trace of any good work of theirs, but they are like those who see a dream: whoever dreams, dreams at night; but night is in darkness. The children of darkness are deprived of the sun of justice and the splendor of virtue, always sleeping and not vigilant, about whom it is well said: They have slept their sleep, and have found nothing (Psalm 75:6). For when their souls are separated from the body, like those freed from the sleep of the body, they will find nothing, they will possess nothing; and what they thought they possessed, they will lose; for when the foolish and senseless have overflowed with riches, they will leave their riches to others, and the glory of their household will not descend to the underworld with them.
24. The following also demonstrates how the wicked are not found, but perish. For his image is not found in the city of the Lord above, Jerusalem. For the Lord has painted us in his image and likeness, as he himself teaches, saying: Behold, I have painted your walls, O Jerusalem (Isaiah 49:16). If we do good, this heavenly image remains in us; if someone does evil, this image is erased in him (certainly in him who descended from heaven), and in him is the image of the earthly. And so the Apostle says: Just as we have borne the image of the earthly, let us also bear the image of the heavenly (1 Cor. 15:49). Therefore, the images of the good persist, and they shine forth in the city of God. But if someone turns to more serious sins and does not repent, their image is erased or cast aside, just as Adam was cast out and excluded from paradise. But whoever conducts themselves in a pious and honorable manner enters the city of God and brings their image, so that they may shine forth in the city of God. Lord, in your city you will reduce their image to nothing (Psalm 73:20); for those who clothe themselves in dark deeds cannot shine in the light. Let us take an example from the world. See how the images of good leaders endure in cities, while the images of tyrants are erased.