Hebrews 12:18-29

Hebrews 12:1–17 (NLT)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.

In Summary:

Remember the Faithful Who Came Before You and Seek Their Same Level of Faith

And Keep Your Eyes Focused on Jesus

You’re Not Alone in Your Suffering

Even Jesus Suffered and Died at the Hands of Sinful People

You’ve Not Suffered to that Extent Yet

Stay Focused on Jesus and Don’t Give Up

Remember that the Suffering You’re Experiencing for Your Faith…

Is Proof that God Considers You His Beloved Child

Don’t Forsake Him, Submit to Him

Stay Strong

Try to Live at Peace with All People

Live Holy

Look After Each Other and Help Each Other Remain Faithful

Hebrews 12:18–24 (NIV)

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

The Author is Contrasting the Fear and Danger of the Old Covenant…

With the Joy and Safety of the New

Hebrews 12:18–21 (NASB95)

18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.20 For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.”21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am full of fear and trembling.”

In Case You Don’t Remember What Exactly the Author is Referring to, Let’s Read it

Exodus 19 (NIV)

1 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”

23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’ ” 24 The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

These Hebrew Christians are Not Longer Approaching a Mountain that Can’t Be Touched

They are No Longer Entering a Covenant with God in Fear and Trembling

Under the New Covenant, Approaching God isn’t a Scary or Dangerous Thing

Hebrews 4:14–16 (NASB95)

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

They are No Longer Approaching a Mountain of Fear and Death

Hebrews 12:22–24 (NASB95)

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,23 to the general assembly and church 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, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

“Zion” was Referred to in Several Different Ways in the OT

It Referred to the Mountain that Jerusalem was on

It Referred to Jerusalem Itself

It Referred to God’s People

And it Referred to the Future Place Where God will Dwell Forever with His People

The New/Heavenly Jerusalem

The City of the Living God

When Christians Draw Near to God By Faith in Jesus…

We Approach the Heavenly City of God…

Where Tens of Thousands of Angels are Enjoying a Joyful Assembly

We Draw Near to the Church of Jesus Christ…

Who Have Their Names Registered in Heaven at this Very Moment

“Firstborn” is Plural

Because of the Firstborn, All the Faithful are Considered Firstborn

This Means that the Church is Made of Heirs Who will Inherit the City of God

We Draw Near to God Himself, the Judge of All

But We Don’t Fear His Judgement…

Because We Have Complete Confidence in the Atoning Work of Jesus

And Because Our Faith in Him Leads Us to Live Holy Lives

We Draw Near to the Spirits of the Righteous Made Perfect

Those Faithful Who have Gone on Before Us

Their Spirits are Made Perfect…

And They Await the Day that Their Bodies will Be Made Perfect as Well

We Don’t Have Our Faithful Loved Ones with Us…

But in Christ They are Never that Far Away

They’re Just Beyond the Invisible Curtain, in Heavenly Realm

We Draw Near to Jesus, the Mediator of Our New Covenant with God

Without His Mediating Work on the Cross, on His Throne, and as Our Priest…

We Would Have No Hope of Drawing Near to Any of These

We Draw Near to the Sprinkled Blood of Jesus that Grants Us Access to God’s Presence

Abel’s Blood Cries Out for Justice

Jesus’ Blood Provides Atonement and Justice

Under the Old Covenant:

God’s People Drew Near to a Mountain with Fear

There was Darkness, Judgement, Gloom, and Exclusion From the Presence of God

Under the New Covenant:

God’s People Draw Near to Something Far Greater

We Get a Picture of Access to the Heavenly Realm

Just Beyond Veil is the City of God

With Angels and the Spirits of the Righteous Celebrating and Worshiping Alongside Us

With God the Judge and Jesus the Mediator at His Right Hand

We as the Community of Firstborn Children of God…

Can Draw Near to These Things Because of the Sprinkled Blood of Jesus

Under the Old Covenant, God’s People Could Only Come So Close and Then No Closer

But Under the New Covenant, We are Invited to Boldly Come to His Very Throne Room

But Do We Really Have Access to All of These Things Right Now?

This is the Already and Not Yet Aspect of the Kingdom

We Do Have Access to All of These Things Right Now

But When Jesus Returns, We will Have Fuller, Complete Access

We are Already Able to Approach God Through Prayer

But We are Not Yet Able to See Him and Enjoy His Personal Presence

We are Already Citizens of the New Jerusalem

But We Do Not Yet Live There

As Christians, We are Called to Embrace the Future as if it Were Already Fully Present

Hebrews 12:25–29 (NIV)

25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

This is the Final Warning Passage of the Book of Hebrews

It is Similar to the Other Warning Passages of the Book

If Bad Things Happened to Those Who Turned Away From the Old Covenant…

How Much Worse will Be the Fate of Those Who Turn Away From the New?

Hebrews 12:25 (NASB95)

25 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 will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.

“Refuse” is the Same Word as “Begged” in Verse 19

The Israelites Didn’t Want to Hear God’s Voice Anymore, Out of Fear

Those Who Turned Away From God Did Not Escape Judgement

When Christians Decide They Don’t Want to Hear Jesus Anymore…

And We Turn Away From Him…

We Will have Even Less of a Chance at Escape

Hebrews 12:26 (NASB95)

26 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.”

The Author Quotes a Prophecy From Haggai

After the Exiles had Returned to the Promised Land…

They Still Hadn’t Rebuilt the Temple

Haggai 2:1–9 (NIV)

1 on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 2 “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. 5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

6 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. 8 ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. 9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

This Shaking of Heaven and Earth was a Good Thing for God’s People

God’s House will Be Filled with Glory and His Spirit is with His People

Then We See this Shaking of Heaven and Earth Again a Few Verses Down

Haggai 2:20–22 (NIV)

20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.

This Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth is Still a Good Thing for God’s People

All the Kingdoms and Powers of the World will Destroyed

Hebrews 12:26 (NASB95)

26 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.”

Hebrews Presents this Prophecy as if it is Still Yet to Come

Hebrews 12:27–29 (NASB95)

27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;29 for our God is a consuming fire.

There’s Coming a Day When the Things that Were Made will Be Shaken

The Heaven and the Earth

All that is Opposed to God will Not Last

But His Kingdom will Not Be Shaken

His Kingdom will Never Be Destroyed

This Kingdom We are Presently a Part of…

And at Jesus’ Return, We will Receive it in its Fullness

Peter Spells this Event Out Very Clearly in 2 Peter 3:10-13

2 Peter 3:10–13 (NASB95)

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Hebrews 12:27–29 (NASB95)

27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Since We Look Forward to this Wonderful Kingdom…

The New Jerusalem…

The New Heavens and New Earth…

We Should “Have Grace”

This May Refer to Being Thankful

Only with Thankful Hearts can We Offer God Acceptable Service/Worship…

With Respect

We Must Worship God with Respect…

Because He is a Consuming Fire that Deserves and Demands Respect

Invitation

Since Thanksgiving is Tomorrow…

Let’s Take a Quick Look at a Psalm of Thanksgiving

There are Many Things to Be Thankful for

I Want to Look at 3 Reasons We Should Be Thankful From Psalm 100

Psalm 100 (NASB95)

A Psalm for Thanksgiving.

1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

We Should Be Thankful and Give Thanks to God Because:

He is “Good”

Good is a Very Broad Word in English and Hebrew

What is God Good at?

He is Just Good

How Does He Create Things? - Good

How Does He Treat His Creation? - Good

Every Decision He Makes and Everything He Does is - Good

He is the Very Opposite of Bad/Evil

God is Good and for That We Should Thank Him

His Loving-Kindness is Everlasting

“Loving-Kindness” is Related to “Loyalty”

Those Who Loyally/Faithfully Obey God…

Will Be Shown Loving-Kindness

God Loves Those Who Obey Him

God is Kind to Those Who Obey Him

God Blesses Those Who Obey Him

And He Will Never Stop

His Loyalty to Those Who Love Him is Everlasting

He Will Never Stop Showing His Loving-Kindness to Those Who Belong to Him

We Should Thank Him for that

His Faithfulness Lasts to All Generations

God is Faithful/Trustworthy

He Always Keeps His Promises

What He has Promised Us in Jesus will Be a Reality

We Never have to Worry if God will Keep His Promises

We Should Thank Him for That