Hebrews 12: 18-24 – Truths about the church we must know

To fully understand what the author of Hebrews was doing, we need to constantly keep his motive at the back of our minds. He was encouraging his readers not to slide back into Judaism despite the tremendous hardship and pressure they were facing. Verses 18-21 essentially recalled the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. The author wanted to evoke in the mind of the readers the sense of fear and awesome display of God when the Law was given to Moses at Mount Sinai. Accounts of that awesome scene could be gleaned by reading Exodus 19:9-23; Deuteronomy 4:11 and Deuteronomy 9:8-19. The thick clouds that covered Mount Sinai; the flashing peals of lightning and roaring of thunders; the thunderous voice of God; the blasting of the trumpets; and the angels that accompanied the giving of the Law, invoked the majestic holiness of the majestic God and Judge. They, however, also gave the idea that God was absolutely unapproachable as seen in verses 20-21. Even Moses himself was full of fear and trembled.

In contrast, the author told the believers that they have now come to Mount Zion. And in three verses (Verses 22-24), he sublimely gave seven truths and privileges about 

the Church:

·         The Church is the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem. Here, the author was talking about God’s presence. Christ here is seen as the counterpart of Zion. Notice that the author said that they have already come to this city. It is not some event for the distant future but that they have already arrived.

·         Myriads of angels gather in joyful assembly in the Church. The impression here is that the angels are in assembly to worship the Lord with all the believers.

·         She is also the general assembly of the firstborn. All believers are firstborns of the Lord. God has no grandchildren, but all sons and daughters. Firstborn also signifies the double portion of inheritance.

·         The Church belongs to God, the Judge of all men. Hence coming to Church should not be attended by a casual attitude. Believers must come with a sense of seriousness.

·         The Church is also triumphant. It is the assembly of the spirits of righteous men made perfect.

·         Joining the Church is coming to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant.

·         In the Church we find forgiveness because of Christ’s sprinkled Blood.
Abel’s blood cried for vengeance whereas Jesus’ Blood speaks of forgiveness and peace.

Since we have been given such privileges, let us seize every given opportunity and grow in our Christian life. Let’s sink our root deep, so that we can live sturdy life that will bring forth fruit worthy of the Master’s praise!