Hebrews 12 - What of Mount Zion?

Introduction

Picture…leaving home for the first time? Last greetings with good friends?

How does the conversation go - neat and orderly? haphazard and chaotic? This is how we may see some of the closing remarks in Hebrews.

Hebrews Outline

A. Exhortation to Draw Near, Hold Fast, and Help Others

Hebrews 10:25 “not abandoning ⌊our meeting together⌋, as is the habit of some, but encouraging each other, and by so much more as you see the day drawing near”

(This is more than just a proof text for why you need to be in church!)

Hebrews Outline

B. Warning: No Hope of Forgiveness for Those Who Turn from Christ

(one of the warning passages that is tricky - if you turn from Christ then there is no one else to turn to)

Hebrews Outline

C. Call to Persevere in Faith

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 11

7 By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

D. Exhortations to Readers to Endure (12:4–29)

1. Endure Discipline for Holiness (12:4–13)

Proverbs 3:11–12 “11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; 12 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.”

2. Pursue Peace and Holiness for the Final Blessing (12:14–17)

Hebrews 12:15 “15 Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.”

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Is a Root of Bitterness?

In the Hebrew culture, any poisonous plant was called a “bitter” plant. Poison destroys, and the result of ingesting a poisonous plant would be bitter, indeed. The author of the book of Hebrews uses a “bitter root” as a metaphor for that which would bring harm to the church.

(Bitterness could be a bitter root, but a bitter root can be more than just bitterness)

Esau is an example of someone who pursed carnality rather than holiness

Hebrews Bridge

The decision facing the readers is momentous. Esau failed to get the blessing because he kicked it away, and when he desired to obtain it, the opportunity to receive it had passed. The readers should not let the comforts of the world beguile them so that they choose them instead of Jesus Christ. They should not turn away from the Lord so that they are defiled and unworthy to enter the heavenly city. They must strengthen themselves to pursue the Lord and holiness so that they will see God and rejoice in him forever.

1. Mount Sinai

What is our impression of Mt Sinai - good? Not so bad? Associated with the 10 commandments, so that’s good, right?

Exodus 19 CSB

1 In the third month from the very day the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they came to the Sinai Wilderness. 2 They traveled from Rephidim, came to the Sinai Wilderness, and camped in the wilderness. Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.” 7 After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.” So Moses brought the people’s words 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 when I speak with you and will always believe you.” Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord, 10 and the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes 11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death. 13 No hand may touch him; instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows and not live, whether animal or human. When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.” 14 Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.” 16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast from a trumpet, so that all the people in the camp shuddered. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain. Then the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up. 21 The Lord directed Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord; otherwise many of them will die. 22 Even the priests who come near the Lord must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out in anger against them.” 23 Moses responded to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, since you warned us: Put a boundary around the mountain and consecrate it.” 24 And the Lord replied to him, “Go down and come back with Aaron. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out in anger against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

Hebrews 12:18–21 CSB

18 For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. 21 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear.

Why does this have a negative connotation?

1. The Lord was not accessible

2. The Lord’s presence was fearful

3. Even “innocent mistakes” (such as an animal coming near) received fearsome punishments

And…it wasn’t just the people: “The terror of gazing at the storm breaking out on the mountain and of hearing the thunder and feeling the mountain shaking was palpable. Moses confessed that he was seized with terror and trembling”

Now compare that with…Mount Zion

2. Mount Zion

Hebrews 12:22–24 CSB

22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary Zion

the city of David and the city of God. The designation of Zion underwent a distinct progression in its usage throughout the Bible.

The first mention of Zion in the Bible is in 2 Samuel 5:7: “David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).” Zion, therefore, was the name of the ancient JEBUSITE fortress situated on the southeast hill of Jerusalem at the junction of the Kidron Valley and the Tyropoeon Valley. The name came to stand not only for the fortress but also for the hill on which the fortress stood. After David captured “the stronghold of Zion” by defeating the Jebusites, he called Zion “the City of David” (1 Kin. 8:1; 1 Chr. 11:5; 2 Chr. 5:2).

When Solomon built the Temple on MOUNT MORIAH (a hill distinct and separate from Mount Zion), and moved the ark of the covenant there, the word “Zion” expanded in meaning to include also the Temple and the Temple area (Ps. 2:6; 48:2, 11–12; 132:13). It was only a short step until Zion was used as a name for the city of Jerusalem, the land of Judah, and the people of Israel as a whole (Is. 40:9; Jer. 31:12). The prophet Zechariah spoke of the sons of Zion (Zech. 9:13). By this time the word “Zion” had come to mean the entire nation of Israel.

The most important use of the word “Zion” is in a religious or theological sense. Zion is used figuratively of Israel as the people of God (Is. 60:14). The spiritual meaning of Zion is continued in the New Testament, where it is given the Christian meaning of God’s spiritual kingdom, the church of God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22; Rev. 14:1; Sion, KJV).

YouTube video - We’re Marching to Zion

So what’s the difference? “paralyzing terror and extraordinary joy”

v.22 “City of the living God” - would there be any fear for safety in that city? “The city of God can’t fail, for the living God dwells there, and no one can triumph over him”

“myriads of angels” - as the shepherds saw when they announced the birth of Jesus

“a festive gathering” - as in the national feasts that Israel held: “angels enthusiastically gathering to worship”

v.23 “assembly of the firstborn” - a position of privilege

Jeremiah 31:9 “9 They will come weeping, but I will bring them back with consolation. I will lead them to wadis filled with water, by a smooth way where they will not stumble, for I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is my firstborn.”

“the spirits of righteous people made perfect” - these are OT saints who have “made it”

Remember the account of the centurion who had great faith: Matthew 8:10–11 “10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

v.24 “and to Jesus” - Best of all…Jesus is present!

“the blood of Abel”? - Genesis 4:10 “10 Then he said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!”

While Abel's blood called for vengeance and justice, Christ's blood, which sealed the new covenant, speaks of mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation

3. The One Speaking

Hebrews 12:25–29 CSB

25 See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven. 26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

v.25 “the one who speaks” - God is speaking, and from Heaven no less

v.26 “His voice shook the earth at that time” - God shook the earth with his voice, as a mighty earthquake caused tumult on Mount Sinai

Does this language sound familiar? Haggai 2:6–7 “6 For the Lord of Armies says this: “Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord of Armies.”

This was fulfilled as King Darius opened the royal treasury to fund the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem

This was fulfilled as the magi brought gifts to the birth of Jesus

There will also be a future, prophetic fulfillment (Revelation) - there will be earthquakes and much shaking! Revelation 11:11–13 “11 But after three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them. 13 At that moment a violent earthquake took place, a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”

v.27 “what is not shaken will remain” - “all that is corruptible and defiling in the present creation will be removed, so the new creation, the new heavens and new earth, will shine with intense beauty”

Application:

“let us be thankful”

Thanksgiving is coming!

Are you thankful for Trump? There will be disappointments

Are you disappointed with the results? The political pendulum will swing back

Could you take 30 minutes during this Thanksgiving season for uninterrupted praise and thanksgiving?

Let us “serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe”

The author of Hebrews: “don’t turn back!” - rather serve with reverence and awe

Warning: “our God is a consuming fire”; Zion is different from Sinai, but God is still to be feared

Who can you reach out to for next Sunday’s big day?