“But you are come unto Mount Zion and unto the City of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of angels. . .to the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in Heaven. . .and to God, the Judge of all. . .and to the spirits of just men made perfect. . . and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant. . .and to the Blood of the sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”
Hebrews 12:22-24
The back-porch light is on. . .the door’s unlocked. . .the welcome mat is out. . .and the Host is awaiting your arrival.
As the Apostle Paul so aptly put it, “Eye has not seen; ear has not heard; neither has entered into the heart (imagination) of man the things which God has prepared for them who love Him” (I Cor. 2:9). Or, in other words, “It’ll be indescribably beautiful and beyond our wildest dreams.”
It might be difficult initially to deduce that from today’s Manna, particularly if we’re unfamiliar with many of the places, events, roles, terms, etc., our anonymous author uses. However, do not despair or grow discouraged; simply “keep your eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:2) and “keep running patiently the Race that is set before you” (Heb. 12:1)—for ultimately your course will lead you to Heaven’s Open Door. Hallelujah!!
Even so, it’s still good to try and understand what our writer was trying to say to those struggling saints who were undergoing persecution. And, what better way to do that than to remind them of what awaits them (and us)?
We know that the Law (the 10 Commandments) was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:3, 20). This mountain is sometimes also referred to as Mt. Horeb (Ex. 3:1), although some scholars believe Horeb was the mountain range and Sinai was the summit. Regardless, one thing was clear: Mt. Sinai was a foreboding place “that was covered with a thick cloud and smoke. . . burned with fire. . .had continual lightning and thunder. . .and could not be touched by man or beast lest they be stoned or shot through with a bow and arrow” (vv.18-20; Ex. 19:9-18).
No wonder they “stood afar off and said to Moses, ‘You speak to us and we will hear; but let not God speak with us lest we die’!” (Ex. 20:18-19). In fact, the rumbling mountain was so fearsome that even Moses said “I exceedingly fear and quake” (Heb. 12:21).
But, such will never be the case with Mt. Zion, which clearly represents the place of our eternal Home. Originally, it was an ancient Jebusite stronghold or fortress located on the southeast hill of Jerusalem (II Sam. 5:7). Later, when David conquered the Jebusites, he called Zion “the city of David” (I Kings 8:1; I Chron. 11:5; II Chron. 5:2). And, after Solomon came to the throne, the word was expanded to include the new Temple and surrounding area.
Regardless, for us, Mt. Zion represents God’s spiritual Kingdom, His Church and the New Jerusalem (cf. Rev. 14:1). How wonderful it’ll be to be surrounded by “an innumerable company of angels” and to spend eternity “in the Church of the Firstborn with the company of just men made perfect by the Blood of God’s Lamb, Jesus.” Glory!!
