Hebrews 12:18-24

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.  For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”  Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”  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, 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, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

The key to persevering in the face of persecution is God.  We must have a firm grasp on who God is.  His character and greatness are anchors for our soul that will help us stand firm as we face the trials of this earth.  We must look steadily upon Him and seek to grow in our knowledge of Him so the struggles we face here will pale in comparison to His majesty.

GOD IS AWESOME: When God gave the Law to the children of Israel on mount Sainai, it was an awesome experience.  The cloud, lightning, thunder, and the very voice of God rang out from the mountain.  Those who saw and heard this were struck with fear and stood in awe before the mount.  It was too much for them to handle so they begged for Moses alone to hear the voice of God, and he too trembled with fear.  The holiness, greatness, power, and glory of God were only partially experienced on that mount and the people were undone.  The awesomeness of God is truly beyond our comprehension.  As incredible as God’s revelation was at that time, it pales in comparison to the revelation of God in Christ and what all believers will experience during an eternity in His presence.  We should not look to go back to things that are inferior to the promises God has made to us.

GOD IS GLORIOUS: Through Christ we are given access to mount Zion that cannot be touched.  This is the dwelling place of God, the angels, and all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Many of our brothers and sisters are already there enjoying the glory of His presence.  They are there because they have been purified of their sin by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.  God the righteous and holy Judge has forgiven them and purified them just as He will do to us who believe on the Christ.  The New Covenant that we have been given through our Lord is far superior to anything the Old Covenant give to Moses had to offer.  Going back to the Old when we have the promise of the New is ludicrous.

APPLICATION: Stand in awe and reverence at the majesty, might, and holiness of God.  Worship Him and live in fear of the Lord.  Rejoice in the promises of the Gospel that give us access to the dwelling place of God.  Take comfort in the knowledge that our brothers and sister in Christ who have been called into His presence are enjoying glories that exceed our imagination.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hebrews 10:32-39

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.     For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.     Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.     For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.     For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”     But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Endurance...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more