Hebrews 12:18-24 (NMB NT) For you have not come to the mount that can be touched, and to burning fire, nor yet to mist and darkness and tempest of weather, 19 neither to the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, which voice the people that heard it wished away so that the message would not be spoken to them. 20 For they were not able to abide that which was spoken. If a beast had touched the mountain, it was to have been stoned or thrust through with a dart. 21 Even so terrible was the sight that appeared, Moses said, I fear and quake!
22 But you have come to the mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem, and to an innumerable multitude of angels, 23 and to the congregation of the first born sons, whose names are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just and perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood that speaks better than the blood of Abel.
This passage informs us of the comparison to 2 mountains. The first is Sinai and represents the Old Covenant. It was a fearful place and sight for the children of Israel that all were afraid. The second mountain is Mt Zion, Temple Mount, in Jerusalem. At Mt Zion, close by and just outside the city proper, a man died who had never sinned. This was Jesus the God-man, 100% God and 100% human male. He died for our sins as our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7 with Exodus 12. See Exodus 12:7, Exodus 12:12-13, and Exodus 12:23-32.
V18 “For you have not come to the mount that can be touched, and to burning fire, nor yet to mist and darkness and tempest of weather…” The holiness at this place was such that if someone or something (animal) touched the mountain, it was to die. This mountain we have not come to; we are not part of this covenant that Israel approved. This covenant is conditional, that is, if you obey, then you will be blessed; if not, then cursed. See Exodus 19:5-6, Exodus 19:12, Exodus 19:18-21, and Deuteronomy 5:23-27.
V19 “…neither to the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, which voice the people that heard it wished away so that the message would not be spoken to them.” These are all things that accompany the only God, Yahweh, showing His glory and majesty. See Psalm 93, Ezekiel 1:4-28, and Isaiah 60:19-21.
V20 “For they were not able to abide that which was spoken. If a beast had touched the mountain, it was to have been stoned or thrust through with a dart.” The people were scared to death at the regulations, the sounds, smoke, and earthquakes. It was so fearful that they could not bear it.
V21 “Even so terrible was the sight that appeared, Moses said, I fear and quake!” Moses couldn’t handle it well either.
V22 “But you have come to the mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem, and to an innumerable multitude of angels…” In contrast, Christians have come to Mt Zion instead of Mt Sinai. Praise God, we come to this mountain for salvation and life. This mount Zion is on earth and temporary, but the heavenly is permanent. There is a city (New Jerusalem) and to millions and millions of angels., who did not rebel when satan did.
V23 “…and to the congregation of the first born sons, whose names are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just and perfect…” I translate v23-24 as “To the joyful gathering and assembly of the firstborn (whose names are written in heaven), to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just people made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and the sprinkling of blood that speaks better than Abel’s.” The firstborn is the Lord Jesus (Colossians 1:15 and Romans 8:29) and believers are the congregation (Acts 20:28).
V24 “…and to Jesus, the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood that speaks better than the blood of Abel.” Jesus is that only one qualified person to be the mediator between God and humans (1 Timothy 2:5). What are the conditions for inclusion into the assembly? It is faith in the Son of God. The sprinkling of blood refers to His sacrifice that was better, greater, more important, successful and acceptable to God. See 1 Peter 1:2, Leviticus 16:14-19, and Ezekiel 36:25.
We learn:
- There are two great covenants for salvation
- Mt Sinai was a failure because our works cannot be good.
- Works may be outwardly seen but the evil works of the heart are not (Isaiah 29:13).
- Mt Zion (Jesus’s death) is the covenant to cleanse the soul of sin