Hebrews 12:22–24 (ESV) —
22 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, 23 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, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
NOTE: It says "you have come" using the perfect tense verb, meaning that the action has already been completed, whether or not it is in the past, present, or future. In God's eyes, it is done. In Jesus' words, "it is finished."
What is completed? Our citizenship in heaven is already established. In Judaism, Zion referred to the hill where the temple sat, as well as the restoration of David's tent (Amos 9:11; Isa 16:1), and to the place where the Messiah would rule from (Ps 110:1-4). Technically, the temple mount was Moriah, but OT prophecies never use that name. The city of the living God and the heavenly Jerusalem are the same thing. The myriad of angels will be gathered in a festival. The spirits of righteous men made perfect refers to both Old and New Testament saints. Finally, Jesus will rule in this new city. His point is that you, the reader, who has put your faith in Christ, you are already there, maybe not physically now, but it is completed work that will be fulfilled at the proper time. Nothing can take away God's promise to you. The future is glorious -- why, oh why do we settle for sin's fleeting pleasures in light of this miracle for us?
PONDER:
- How can I do a better job remembering my future so as not to let sin have a foothold in my life?
- Why do I become discouraged when the future is so glorious?
PRAYER: Father, I pray that we would not listen to the world's lies but we would focus on the truth of your word. Encourage us. Hold us close. Protect us from false thoughts.
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