The Eternal Mountain

Hebrews 12:18-24 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.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. 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 men, to the spirits of righteous men 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 Christian must know two mountains: Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion. Sinai is the physical mountain of the law. Mt. Zion is the spiritual mountain of grace.
   Exodus 19 describes a fearful scene at Mt. Sinai. Israel was just two months out of Egypt. They had seen God’s power in Egypt. At Sinai they would hear God’s voice and see his holy presence before them. Exodus 19:16 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. God was preparing to reveal the Ten Commandments. God wanted to be Israel’s God. He wanted their full attention. The LORD God wanted their worship.
   The Hebrews writer rejoices that through God’s covenant of grace we don’t have to go to Sinai. Our home is Mt. Zion. This is the heavenly city that will come down in glory on the Day of the Lord. John describes this in Revelation 21-22.
    John’s view of the eternal city is years before Jesus’ revelation to John. In more detail John describes the city of the living God. Revelation 21:3-4 “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”  God will complete his desire to be with his people.
   Revelation also has many scenes of thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly. Hebrews also describes the church as the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. John wrote in Revelation 1:5 Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. And in Revelation 21:27 but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter the city.  
   Hebrews rejoices and affirms we are God’s people, made perfect not by law but through Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. This is possible and true because Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:19-20) Jesus moved the covenant from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion.
           Rejoice and be glad that one day the trumpet call will sound on Mt. Zion. Jesus will gather you and all Christians to him for eternal life in the glorious city.