Heb 12:26-28 | KingComments | STEP | . The word “but” indicates that what now follows, is in contrast with what is said previously. To the Hebrews it is demonstrated that they haven’t come to Mount Sinai with its accompanying horrors. Now it is demonstrated to them what they have come to. This ‘have come to’ indicates the sphere of the relation we are entering. As the sphere at Mount Sinai was characterized by fear and trembling, the sphere at the “Mount Zion” is one of grace and peace, of inviting love and the absence of every fear ( ). He who has once entered this sphere and experienced its significance can never ever be tempted anymore to return to Judaism, the old system of the threatening Mount Sinai. In the millennial kingdom of peace the literal Mount Zion is the place of God’s rest and the seat of the royal power of the Messiah. But the Hebrews have now already come to that mountain. That means that here it is not about the earthly mountain, but it is about the subject of which this mountain is the symbol, namely of grace and heaven. Mount Zion represents the new covenant with all its aspects: the new kingdom, the new priesthood, the new worship service, the new dwelling place, the new resting place. The new priesthood is related to Zadok ( ; ), a priest from the line of Eleazar, the third son of Aaron. This indicates the priesthood of the resurrected Christ. The number three refers to the third day as the day of resurrection. The new kingship is also connected to Christ, the great Son of David, who was the king after God’s heart ( ). Christ is the true King-Priest ( ). He is the true center of all blessing both in the millennial kingdom of peace in future and now already in spirit for everyone who is on the way to that wonderful situation. After Mount Zion the writer presents more impressive matters that have come within reach of the believing Hebrews. But faith is necessary to see them. When faith sees them, they will be of great encouragement for the path they still had to go. The writer explains to the Hebrews that they had also come to, that is, brought within the sphere of, “the city of the living God”, which is “the heavenly Jerusalem”. They had turned their back on the earthly Jerusalem, but they entered the heavenly Jerusalem by faith. Abraham and other Old Testament believers had seen the city from afar and that encouraged them ( ). The privilege that the Hebrews had was beyond that: they had already come that far. They knew its sphere and enjoyed the privilege of being in the presence of the living God. That city is the center of the government over the earth that is not publicly exercised yet, but will definitely become reality. In that city death has no entrance, what will be the case in the earthly Jerusalem and also in the millennial kingdom of peace. The Hebrews are physically still on earth. But when they approach the city in spirit, they discover that there are inhabitants in the heavenly Jerusalem. There, first of all, are “myriads of angels”. When you imagine yourself entering the heavenly Jerusalem from outside, you see the angels first. They form the outermost circle of the inhabitants of the city to protect them as it were. That is also fits the task they have toward the believers on earth to whom they have been given to serve ( ). . The further description, “the general assembly”, has the meaning of a joyful assembly. When the law was given at Mount Sinai, the angels also played a role ( ). Through their mediation the law was given. As you have seen, there was not directly anything joyful about that, but the angels are rejoicing in the sphere of grace (cf. ). After the outermost circle our attention is drawn to the innermost circle. In the midst of the multitude of angels we see the people of God, here called “the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven”. Those who had no place on earth, are at home there. On earth their names meant nothing. They were erased from the worldly and religious registers, but that didn’t matter to them. It was much more important that their names were enrolled in heaven. That means that they are indelible and that they are familiar to God; that they are known by Him ( ; ; ). The word ‘assembly’ is found in this letter only here. It has the sense of the family of God. The further description ‘firstborn’ indicates the fact of sonship and heirship. This is in connection with the fact that they are called brethren of Christ ( ). As firstborn the Hebrews were entitled to the eternal inheritance; they were fellow heirs of Christ, the Firstborn ( ). Then we see there “God, the Judge of all”. All heavenly citizens are there on the ground of God’s justice. They have suffered much injustice, but they have trusted that the Judge of the whole earth will do justice ( ). Also the Lord Jesus has entrusted “[Himself] to Him Who judges righteously” ( ). Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be satisfied, because God is the Judge ( ). The “spirits of [the] righteous made perfect” are the first ones who experience that. These are the Old Testament believers who are asleep and who are now having a spiritual existence and who will, at the resurrection, be made perfect. They have finished the walk of faith and are only waiting for the glory. But they now already have their resting place and part in heaven. . Then we see “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant”. This new covenant will be established with Israel, but the spiritual blessings of the new covenant are now already enjoyed by all who belong to God’s people. What would the future world be worth, both in heaven and on earth, without Him? He is the Mediator between the holy God and the sinful man. He has made the way for the implementation of the new covenant. This He did through His blood. In that way forgiveness became a part of each who belongs to the new covenant and to whom the blessing of the millennial kingdom of peace is surely guaranteed. The first blood that was shed, was the blood of the righteous Abel ( ). However, that blood could not serve as a restoration of the blessings that were lost. On the contrary, a cry for vengeance came out of it ( ). The blood of Christ, however, is blood that speaks a better language, which is the language of forgiveness, because it is the sacrificial blood. It is wonderful that the description of all wonderful things to which the believers have come under the new covenant concludes with what forms the basis: the blood of Christ. In that way also the everlasting duration of the new covenant is established. . After he has presented these glories, which are in connection with the new order, the writer now again continues with some concluding exhortations. God had spoken ( ) and is still speaking, just like the blood does. What a foolishness would that be to reject this God. It was already a foolish thing to reject God when He warned them on earth. He had given His instructions in the law and had presented them the way to live and to be blessed. But man did not want to listen. Ever since the Holy Spirit has come, God speaks from heaven. To reject Him means to reject grace. This is what Stephen accused the unbelieving people of and therefore the people became furious and stoned him ( ). In this way they rejected God’s last offer of grace and sealed their own rejection. . God’s speaking by giving the law with which the old covenant was initiated, was accompanied by a quaking earth ( ). Also the establishment of the new covenant will be accompanied by a shaking earth, but the shaking of heaven will be added to that. God had announced it like that at the end of the Old Testament ( ). The introduction of the millennial kingdom of peace will be preceded by terrible earthquakes during the great tribulation ( ) and at the return of Christ there will be signs in heaven ( ). . That will result in “the removing of those things which can be shaken”, “things” that are made and that are temporal. The old is removed and something new, which cannot be shaken, will replace it. Judaism belongs to the old order and will therefore disappear. The church belongs to the new order and will therefore remain. In the same way everything will remain what God has said ( ), just like everyone, who has accepted His Word, will remain ( ). . The unshakable kingdom that the Son will establish, will be received by Him from God’s hands ( ; ) and we will receive it from Him and with Him ( . This kingdom remains forever and ever ( ) and it is based on pure grace that we may receive it. We must hold on to that grace, for otherwise we will slide away. At the same time grace provides us with a clear motive to serve God. Grace is the right mind for that. Therein He finds His pleasure. The believer will serve Him “with reverence and awe”, for He is an awesome and holy God. This is not meant to terrify you, but to fill you with the right reverence. . People who miss this reverence are to be aware that God is “a consuming fire”. The fire consumes everything that is not in accordance with God. This is a serious word to everyone who is in danger to drop out and return to a formality service. Now read Hebrews12:22-29 again. Reflection: Explore once again what you are come to, which is where you belong to and thank the Lord for that company and those unchangeable truths.

‏ Hebrews 12:26-28

We Have Come to Better Things

Heb 12:22. The word “but” indicates that what now follows, is in contrast with what is said previously. To the Hebrews it is demonstrated that they haven’t come to Mount Sinai with its accompanying horrors. Now it is demonstrated to them what they have come to. This ‘have come to’ indicates the sphere of the relation we are entering. As the sphere at Mount Sinai was characterized by fear and trembling, the sphere at the “Mount Zion” is one of grace and peace, of inviting love and the absence of every fear (1Jn 4:18). He who has once entered this sphere and experienced its significance can never ever be tempted anymore to return to Judaism, the old system of the threatening Mount Sinai.

In the millennial kingdom of peace the literal Mount Zion is the place of God’s rest and the seat of the royal power of the Messiah. But the Hebrews have now already come to that mountain. That means that here it is not about the earthly mountain, but it is about the subject of which this mountain is the symbol, namely of grace and heaven. Mount Zion represents the new covenant with all its aspects: the new kingdom, the new priesthood, the new worship service, the new dwelling place, the new resting place.

The new priesthood is related to Zadok (2Sam 8:17; Eze 40:46), a priest from the line of Eleazar, the third son of Aaron. This indicates the priesthood of the resurrected Christ. The number three refers to the third day as the day of resurrection. The new kingship is also connected to Christ, the great Son of David, who was the king after God’s heart (Psa 132:11-14). Christ is the true King-Priest (Zec 6:13). He is the true center of all blessing both in the millennial kingdom of peace in future and now already in spirit for everyone who is on the way to that wonderful situation.

After Mount Zion the writer presents more impressive matters that have come within reach of the believing Hebrews. But faith is necessary to see them. When faith sees them, they will be of great encouragement for the path they still had to go. The writer explains to the Hebrews that they had also come to, that is, brought within the sphere of, “the city of the living God”, which is “the heavenly Jerusalem”. They had turned their back on the earthly Jerusalem, but they entered the heavenly Jerusalem by faith.

Abraham and other Old Testament believers had seen the city from afar and that encouraged them (Heb 11:10 ; 16). The privilege that the Hebrews had was beyond that: they had already come that far. They knew its sphere and enjoyed the privilege of being in the presence of the living God. That city is the center of the government over the earth that is not publicly exercised yet, but will definitely become reality. In that city death has no entrance, what will be the case in the earthly Jerusalem and also in the millennial kingdom of peace.

The Hebrews are physically still on earth. But when they approach the city in spirit, they discover that there are inhabitants in the heavenly Jerusalem. There, first of all, are “myriads of angels”. When you imagine yourself entering the heavenly Jerusalem from outside, you see the angels first. They form the outermost circle of the inhabitants of the city to protect them as it were. That is also fits the task they have toward the believers on earth to whom they have been given to serve (Heb 1:14).

Heb 12:23. The further description, “the general assembly”, has the meaning of a joyful assembly. When the law was given at Mount Sinai, the angels also played a role (Acts 7:53). Through their mediation the law was given. As you have seen, there was not directly anything joyful about that, but the angels are rejoicing in the sphere of grace (cf. Lk 2:13-14).

After the outermost circle our attention is drawn to the innermost circle. In the midst of the multitude of angels we see the people of God, here called “the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven”. Those who had no place on earth, are at home there. On earth their names meant nothing. They were erased from the worldly and religious registers, but that didn’t matter to them. It was much more important that their names were enrolled in heaven. That means that they are indelible and that they are familiar to God; that they are known by Him (Lk 10:20; Phil 4:3; Rev 3:5 ; Rev 21:27).

The word ‘assembly’ is found in this letter only here. It has the sense of the family of God. The further description ‘firstborn’ indicates the fact of sonship and heirship. This is in connection with the fact that they are called brethren of Christ (Heb 2:11). As firstborn the Hebrews were entitled to the eternal inheritance; they were fellow heirs of Christ, the Firstborn (Heb 1:6).

Then we see there “God, the Judge of all”. All heavenly citizens are there on the ground of God’s justice. They have suffered much injustice, but they have trusted that the Judge of the whole earth will do justice (Gen 18:25). Also the Lord Jesus has entrusted “[Himself] to Him Who judges righteously” (1Pet 2:23). Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be satisfied, because God is the Judge (Mt 5:6).

The “spirits of [the] righteous made perfect” are the first ones who experience that. These are the Old Testament believers who are asleep and who are now having a spiritual existence and who will, at the resurrection, be made perfect. They have finished the walk of faith and are only waiting for the glory. But they now already have their resting place and part in heaven.

Heb 12:24. Then we see “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant”. This new covenant will be established with Israel, but the spiritual blessings of the new covenant are now already enjoyed by all who belong to God’s people. What would the future world be worth, both in heaven and on earth, without Him? He is the Mediator between the holy God and the sinful man.

He has made the way for the implementation of the new covenant. This He did through His blood. In that way forgiveness became a part of each who belongs to the new covenant and to whom the blessing of the millennial kingdom of peace is surely guaranteed. The first blood that was shed, was the blood of the righteous Abel (Mt 23:35). However, that blood could not serve as a restoration of the blessings that were lost. On the contrary, a cry for vengeance came out of it (Gen 4:10).

The blood of Christ, however, is blood that speaks a better language, which is the language of forgiveness, because it is the sacrificial blood. It is wonderful that the description of all wonderful things to which the believers have come under the new covenant concludes with what forms the basis: the blood of Christ. In that way also the everlasting duration of the new covenant is established.

Heb 12:25. After he has presented these glories, which are in connection with the new order, the writer now again continues with some concluding exhortations. God had spoken (Heb 1:1) and is still speaking, just like the blood does. What a foolishness would that be to reject this God. It was already a foolish thing to reject God when He warned them on earth. He had given His instructions in the law and had presented them the way to live and to be blessed. But man did not want to listen.

Ever since the Holy Spirit has come, God speaks from heaven. To reject Him means to reject grace. This is what Stephen accused the unbelieving people of and therefore the people became furious and stoned him (Acts 7:51-59). In this way they rejected God’s last offer of grace and sealed their own rejection.

Heb 12:26. God’s speaking by giving the law with which the old covenant was initiated, was accompanied by a quaking earth (Exo 19:18). Also the establishment of the new covenant will be accompanied by a shaking earth, but the shaking of heaven will be added to that. God had announced it like that at the end of the Old Testament (Hag 2:7). The introduction of the millennial kingdom of peace will be preceded by terrible earthquakes during the great tribulation (Rev 6:12) and at the return of Christ there will be signs in heaven (Mt 24:29).

Heb 12:27. That will result in “the removing of those things which can be shaken”, “things” that are made and that are temporal. The old is removed and something new, which cannot be shaken, will replace it. Judaism belongs to the old order and will therefore disappear. The church belongs to the new order and will therefore remain. In the same way everything will remain what God has said (1Pet 1:25), just like everyone, who has accepted His Word, will remain (1Jn 2:17).

Heb 12:28. The unshakable kingdom that the Son will establish, will be received by Him from God’s hands (Dan 7:13; Psa 2:8) and we will receive it from Him and with Him (Lk 12:32 ; Lk 22:29. This kingdom remains forever and ever (Rev 22:5) and it is based on pure grace that we may receive it.

We must hold on to that grace, for otherwise we will slide away. At the same time grace provides us with a clear motive to serve God. Grace is the right mind for that. Therein He finds His pleasure. The believer will serve Him “with reverence and awe”, for He is an awesome and holy God. This is not meant to terrify you, but to fill you with the right reverence.

Heb 12:29. People who miss this reverence are to be aware that God is “a consuming fire”. The fire consumes everything that is not in accordance with God. This is a serious word to everyone who is in danger to drop out and return to a formality service.

Now read Hebrews12:22-29 again.

Reflection: Explore once again what you are come to, which is where you belong to and thank the Lord for that company and those unchangeable truths.