Hebrews 12:18–24

Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

A New Kind Of Community

Hebrews 12:18–24

In verses 18–24 the writer of Hebrews contrasts where his people have come from with where they are and where they are going. The contrast is between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion — the Old and New Covenants, terror and joy, distance and closeness.

From a Terrifying Encounter (18–21)

The reference to a mountain that can be touched points us to the giving of the law at Sinai. The Israelites and their animals were forbidden to touch Mount Sinai. The descriptions of fire, darkness, gloom and tempest portrayed the giving of the law so as to affect the senses of sight and sound. The awesome details inspired reverence.

The sound of the trumpet conveyed an authoritative command not to be ignored. The voice speaking words proved terrifying to the hearers. The communications which the people could receive filled their hearts with fear (Deut. 5:23–27).

God communicated a moving reminder of the unworthiness of the people by prohibiting their approach to the mountain. Any human or animal that touched the mountain would die. The glory of the experience thoroughly awed the people so that they could not bear what was commanded.

The separation of God from His people under the law stands in contrast with His approachableness under the gospel. Christians are commanded to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence (Heb. 4:16). The consequences of rejecting a gospel which offers such privileges will be even more fearful than the effects of rejecting the law.

The experience of Israel at Mount Sinai shows how great and fearful the Mosaic covenant was in the hearts of the people. Moses’ quote, “I tremble with fear,” is based on Deuteronomy 9:19. Moses had feared God might destroy Israel after their worship of the golden calf. The writer of Hebrews may intend this allusion to warn against similar idolatry.

To a Festive Gathering (22–24)

The greatness of the New Covenant exceeds the Old Covenant revelation at Sinai, so it is all the more important to accept the New Covenant. Verse 22 begins the description of the superior spiritual approach available to believers. The name Mount Sinai, where Israel received the law, does not appear in verses 18–21.

Believers meet with God at Mount Zion, which is identified as the city of the living God and as the heavenly Jerusalem. This description draws on extensive Old Testament imagery of a new heavenly Zion/Jerusalem to say that Christians have access in the invisible, spiritual realm into the heavenly Jerusalem and therefore participate in worship with innumerable angels and the great assembly of those who have died in faith and are already in God’s presence. At the moment of salvation Christians become members of a community of those who can worship the living God and receive from Him grace for daily needs.

In verse 23 we see the assembly (church) of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven. Jesus is the firstborn par excellence and by virtue of our union with Him we are firstborn. All the rights of the inheritance go to the firstborn, to us who are fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). As firstborn our names are written in heaven along with the firstborn already there.

God is described as everyone’s Judge. As the all-knowing God, He will carry out judgment one day in accord with His nature and in conformity to His truth. This truth should cause us to come before God with both awe and delight. The spirits of the righteous made perfect are the saints of the Old and New Covenants, here portrayed as holy and perfect. This was the goal of Christ’s work.

The spiritual life presently enjoyed by believers is all because of Jesus and His blood that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Hallelujah, what a Savior.