We are about to enter into a contrast between Sinai and Zion or put another way, into a sound and stable kingdom verses that of chaos and earthly religious laws of does and do nots. Do not loose sight of this truth, our writer is addressing the Jews and their failed history under the Levitical Law system as he has done all throughout this letter.
Hebrews 12:18-24 "For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded (in Exodus 19:12-13), "And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned," or thrust through with a dart: and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said (in Deuteronomy 9:19), "I exceedingly fear and quake:") But ye are come unto mount Sion, 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 sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (KJV)
Hebrews 12:18-24 "For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given (in Exodus 19:12-13), "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned." Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said (in Deuteronomy 9:19), "I tremble with fear." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." (ESV)
Hebrews 12:18-24 "We are not talking of a visible and tangible mountain here, one spectacularly ablaze in a setting of dark blackness and tempestuous winds. (Witness the vivid contrast between the giving of the ceremonial Law and the unfolding of grace; the exclusiveness of the one and the all inclusive imbracement of the other. The dramatic encounter of Moses on the mountain is by far exceeded by the mountaintop experience to which we are now welcomed and elevated through Christ! Humanity is now fully represented and co-seated together with Christ in heavenly places! [Ephesians 2:5-6, Hosea 6:2, 2Timothy 1:7]) Shrill trumpet sounds and a thunderous voice uttering human language. This filled the people with such terror that they begged for silence! Beast abd human alike felt threatened and excluded from that terrible mountain! Even Moses, the representative of the people, was extremely terrified. He was shivering and shaking. Who could approach GOD and live? How impossible it seemed to find favor with such a 'terrifying' GOD! By contrast, we have been summoned and welcomed to an invisible mount Zion; the city of peace (heavenly Jerusalem adorned as a blushing bride awaiting her guests.), the residence of the living GOD, the festive assembly of an innumerable Angelic host! We are participating in a mass joint-celebration of heavenly and earthly beings; the [1]Ekklesia-church of the firstborn mirror-inscribed in the heavenlies. (Our original identity (of Genesis 1:26-27, 2:1-3), [1, G1577 from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564 ] Ekklesia, a calling out, is from (G1537) ek, a preposition that always denotes origin, and (G2564) kaleo, which means to identify by name, to surname, is endorsed by Jesus, patterned in him, the first born from the dead.) Jesus is the spokesmen and arbitrator of the New Testament order. His blood signature sanctions humanity's innocence, as in its origin. This is a completely new language that communicates better things, in that it is the very substance of what was spoken in the shadow-type message of the blood sacrifice that Abel brought. (Abel's faith was a prophetic introduction to the sacrificial shadow system of the Old Covenant. Jesus is the substance of things hoped for! Hebrews 11:4, It was faith that made the difference between the sacrifices of Abel and Cain, and confirmed Abel's righteousness. GOD bore witness to righteousness as a gift rather than a reward! Even though he was murdered, his faith still has a most relevant prophetic voice.) (The Mirror, with editing)
Until our next visit may the LORD richly bless both you and yours in the true light of the knowledge of Him.
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