A Blast from the Past

Past

Allusion to Mt. Sinai; giving of the Law

Ex. 19:16-22; 20:18-21; Deut. 4:11-12

Plenty of fear involved

Present

Awareness of linkage between OT believers and the Church

Mt. Zion, not talking about the physical; but the Heavenly

There will be a measure of fear—reverential awe

Then and now, we are saved by faith

Then, faith in God’s provision for redemption to come

The law was only partial revelation of the plan

Now, faith in God’s provision of the Redeemer who came

Christ is the fulfillment of the plan

“Historical Present”

Have come…and still are present at…the city of the Living God

Festal gathering—a celebration of angels and saints

Firstborn are those saved

“Righteous made perfect”

…not by their own works; by the work of Jesus

Not by the Law

…but by the Power of God

Spirits---understand as souls of the saints

Future

Heaven is the realm of the believers, to dwell eternally with our God who has redeemed us

Jesus is there as the mediator of the new covenant…not like the old, given at Sinai

Note on the blood of Abel, contrasted to the blood of Jesus

Abel’s brought condemnation and death

Jesus’ brought redemption and life

Our entry to Heaven will not be with the dread of death but a full and joyous celebration

God will judge

Remembering that the partakers of this new covenant have something special…better than anything before or since....

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 12:22–24

If the readers would contemplate these things properly, they would be awed by them and more inclined to fulfill their call to the highest privileges that the New Covenant can provide.

Further reading: Ex. 19:16-22; 20:18-21; Deut. 4:11-12