The
writer of Hebrews told his readers they had “come unto
mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels”,
and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-three of Hebrews, the
writer referred “to the
general assembly and church of the firstborn” in
heaven where we read:
To the
general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in
heaven,
and to
God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
The
verse begins, “To the general assembly and church of the
firstborn, which are written in heaven,,...”. The
writer began with the words, “to the general assembly”
or “to the festal gathering
of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities”
“and church” which
means “and assembly or gathering of citizens called out from their
homes into some public place” “of the firstborn”
or “the first-begotten”, “which are written”
or “entered into a register or record” “in heaven”
which refers to “the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of
order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and
other heavenly beings”. The writer continued to share about the
“heavenly Jerusalem” by referring to the “gathering” of those
who are “first-begotten” and have their names entered into the
“heavenly”
register.
The
verse continues, “...and to God the Judge of all, and to
the spirits of just men made perfect,”. The
writer added the words, “and to God” which
refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God
the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “Judge”
which means “the One who passes judgment on men” “of
all” which refers to “each,
every, the whole and everyone”, “and to the spirits”
which means “the essences, affections, emotions and desires” “of
just men” or “the righteous,
virtuous people who keep the commands of God” “made
perfect” which means
“completed, accomplished and finished”. Those who entered the
“heavenly Jerusalem” also see “God”
Almighty who shall “pass judgment” upon everyone, and the
“spirits of just men” who
have been perfected are there as well.
When
we think through these words in Hebrews, we see a glimpse of how
wonderful “heaven” is and how wonderful some of the sights
are to see: “the gathering of the first-begotten” whose names are
“written” or recorded there, “God” is there who
is the ultimate “Judge” of everyone, and also the
“spirits” of people who have been made “complete” by
God's salvation. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth and
the life, and no man comes to the father but by me” (John
14:6), and He desires for everyone to be with Him. This is only made
possible by belief and trust in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the
cross for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead and now sits on the
“right hand of God” in heaven where He patiently waits for all
who will to believe and trust in His “complete” and “finished”
work of salvation. May all who read these words understand and
believe.
Next
time the writer shares about “Jesus
the mediator of the new covenant”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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