Powerful and final

No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel…Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire. Hebrews 12:22-29 NLT

From Mt. Sinai, now the writer of Hebrews talks about Mt. Zion. From the text, the writer reminds us about the future experience of Christians being in the presence of God. The Israelites from the Old Testament experienced the presence of God through the Ark of the Covenant that was placed permanently when King Solomon built the Temple. It was a joyous occasion for it was a prelude of what is to come. The writer of Hebrews relates that experience for it describes “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering.” He foretold the heavenly experience of those who trusted Jesus their Lord and Savior (see Hebrews 12:23-27). This is what we are looking forward to in the future but the writer wants us to have a taste of it now while here on earth. “We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control” (Philippians 3:20-21). It will be a fiery experience to those who will not recognize Jesus in their lives, “our God is a devouring fire” (Hebrews 12:29), but for those who are in Christ it will be a glorious day of celebration. Surely, there will be no escape in that great day! “So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?” (Hebrews 2:3). This is why we draw confidence in the knowledge that in Jesus Christ everything will be changed. He is the source and the fulfillment of what we are hoping for. So, as sojourners in this world, let us not veer of from the course God had set for us. Let us live the godly life He has given us “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable,” and “let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe” (Hebrews 12:27-28). Are you refusing God, His Word, and His offer of life? If He is speaking to you, have you been ignoring His word and command that you obey Him? Let us not forget that God’s word is powerful and final. Let us therefore worship Him in awe and with thanksgiving!

Blessings,