These words capture John’s first impression of the city the angel is showing him. The word “having” indicates that this city possesses “the glory of God” and so reflects it (for John sees it). Revelation 21:2 had described “the holy city” as looking like “a bride adorned for her husband” and so we in the eye of our mind picture her wearing a magnificent wedding dress. That wedding dress turns out to be the glory of God
; that is, God himself is her adornment. She is radiant because he is glorious. This speaks to the closeness, the unity of Bridegroom and Bride. Whereas the Old Testament tabernacle and temple were “filled” with the cloud of God’s glory (Exodus 40:34; 1 Kings 8:10–11; see also Ezekiel 43:5), God’s redemptive history has now progressed to the extent that God’s holy city (= his people, the church) may possess his splendour! As in every marriage, what is his becomes hers!
11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.