| |
That
was a time they could not come near to God. They were fearful of the
fire, lighting, severe wind, smoke, darkness, and the sound of trumpets.
Even Moses was afraid! They could not come near because of their sin.
Come
To Mt. Zion.
As sinners each one of us was afraid of God before our sins were forgiven.
But Jesus changed that. With Jesus we do not need to be afraid. With
Jesus we can touch Mt. Zion and live in heaven some day. We can come
to God and not be afraid. That is the message He now sends to the
readers.
| |
But
you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general
assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven,
and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous
men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood
of Abel. (NASB) Heb. 12:22-24 |
When the Ten Commandments were given at Mt. Sinai, 3,000 Jews died
because of sin. But when the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, God rescued
3,000 souls from the penalty of being sinners. The Law brought death,
but God’s love has brought life - eternal life! Eternal life
is given to us when our sins are forgiven. That happens if we believe
or trust Jesus to forgive our sins.
Those
who do believe have chosen to “go South” and they receive
seven things: 1) the heavenly city - Jerusalem, 2) myriads of angels,
3) assembly of the first-born, 4) God, 5) spirits of righteous men,
6) Jesus and 7) Jesus’ blood.
Even
as a young adult I thought eternal life was life that lasted forever
as opposed ro life that stoped at death. But then I discovered that
everyone lives eternally (Matt. 25:46) either in hell or heaven. Eternal
life is life with God that begins at the point of salvation and goes
on forever and ever. Every Christian will live with Him forever in
the heavenly city called Jerusalem. We will see angels, the patriarchs
(first-born enrolled in heaven), other Christians, God and our Lord
Jesus.
Do
Not Make An Excuse.
I wonder how many excuses General Francisco Pizarro heard from his
men? I am sure some of his men chose the North. But God is not calling
us to go South but to be at peace with Him and to live in a heavenly
city. Yet, there is reason to fear Him if we make excuses!
| |
See
to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those
did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth,
much less shall we escape who turn away from Him who warns from
heaven. (NASB) Heb. 12:25 |
The Greek word for “refuse” means “to refuse by begging-off,”
or “excusing one’s self.” He is warning us against
walking away from Him! If there was any doubt in our minds that God
was talking to some who were not Christians, this passage makes it
clear. Some were not Christians! Even today there are non-Christians
who act, look and speak as Christians but are not. They will not deceive
God. There is coming a time when God will destroy the universe and
build a new city.
| |
And
His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying,
“YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO
THE HEAVEN.” And this expression, “Yet once more,”
denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as
of created things, in order that those things which cannot be
shaken may remain. (NASB) Heb. 12:26-27 |
|
|
