THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1
“This is one of the great, moving passages of the New Testament; and in it the writer has given us a well-nigh perfect summary of the Christian life.” 1 Here the Christian experience is compared to the ancient Greek Olympic Games. Our author is focusing particularly upon the Marathon or the grueling long-distance race. He describes the setting of this race as something like a large stadium with a vast cloud of attendees. All these who are looking on bear the distinction of having successfully completed the race.
There is considerable discussion among commentators as to whether or not those who have gone on to the next world can actually look back upon the saints in this present world. 2 I have chosen to take this passage at face value and accept the fact that the saints in the next world do have some cognition of what is going on down here on earth, at least in things regarding God’s kingdom (cf. Mt. 17:1-3). Those who think otherwise see the cloud of witnesses as merely examples for us and do not feel that they actually have awareness of us and our struggles. It would seem that this view would do some damage to the picture the author is trying to present.
Truly, if those heroes of old discussed in chapter 11 do have an awareness of us and our race in this life it would put immense pressure on us to perform well. It would be much like performing on earth before a stadium filled with famous athletes.3 We should note that athletic imagery is often used in the scripture as it speaks of our Christian lives. Some examples can be seen in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 1:30; 2:16; 3:13-14; and 2 Timothy 4:7.
As we run this great race of life we are told to “…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…” Obviously, it would be very difficult to run effectively while wrapped in a long flowing robe or weighted down with a backpack or other things. We are told that the Greek athletes ran almost naked.4 In fact, the word for gym or gymnasium comes from the Greek word gymnos meaning “naked.”
In our race of life we need to shed everything that hinders us or holds us back. The Greek word onkos used here for “hindrance” was sometimes used in the ancient world for mass, weight, or even body fat.5 That should be an eye-opener for us today especially in the US where some 60 percent of Americans are overweight. The weight spoken of here can be any kind of impediment that hinders our Christian lives. We think of several other things that fit into this category like besetting sins, lusts, desires, distractions, too much focus on our jobs, bad habits, pleasures, evil associations and the like. In Mark 10:46-52, we can remember the blind man who came to Jesus and was immediately healed. But he first cast away his old garment before he came to the Master.6
The interesting Greek word for the “race” we are running is agona, from which we get our word “agony.” 7 It was a favorite word for the Apostle Paul and he used it on many different occasions such as Philippians 1:30; Colossians 2:1; 1Thessalonians 2:2; 1Timothy 6:12 and 2Timothy 4:7. 8 So we are in an agonizing race and we must finish it and even win it. Our author tells us that we must run with perseverance or steadfast endurance (Gk. hupomone). In this race there is no lagging back, no coasting, no taking a time-out.
For those of us who have watched the Olympic Games on television we no doubt have some understanding of the picture being presented here. Many of these athletes have spent years preparing for the one event. They have run and exercised daily for many months; they have kept themselves on strict diets and forgone normal pleasures in order to compete. This reminds us of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27: “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Our author goes on, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:2). The author here presents us with the goal of the race. The goal is Jesus and him only. In the great Olympic races we will never see a competitor looking out at the scenery or at the people as he runs. His eyes are fixed on the goal and nothing else.
We read here that Jesus is the “author and perfecter” of our faith. We earlier saw the combination of these two Greek words in 2:10. The Greek word for “author” is (arch‘gos) and it conveys the meanings of prince, captain, or leader. The second word “perfecter” is the Greek teliotes and it has the meaning of “one who completes and perfects.” Jesus has completed the redemptive task concerning us. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Rev. 1:8; 18).9.
In the race that was outlined for Jesus he had to suffer the shame, disgrace and awful pain of the cross in order to secure our salvation. Bruce describes what it was like to die on a cross. He says, “To die by crucifixion was to plumb the lowest depths of disgrace; it was a punishment reserved for those who were deemed most unfit to live, a punishment for those who were subhuman. For so degrading a death Roman citizens were exempt by an ancient statute.” 10 Hughes adds: “Others have suffered the pain of crucifixion but he alone has endured the shame of human depravity in all its foulness….” 11
Jesus accepted such a death while scorning its shame and focusing on the joy that was set before him. After it was all over, he sat down at the right hand of God in heaven. Here the author continues to allude to Psalm 110:1. The words “sat down” are in the perfect active indicative, which gives the meaning of a completed act with continuing results.12 Our salvation is really completed and finished forever as is again indicated here.
The Bible says in Romans 8:17: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs— heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” We do not understand what it means to be joint heirs with Christ. Everything God has is being given to his Son and then we Christians are allowed to share in his vast riches. We just have to keep the faith and not faint or be fearful.
It is said that the great preacher, Charles Spurgeon once spoke boldly to a congregation that was fearful to bear the shame of following Jesus: “You are a coward. Yes, put it down in English: you are a coward. If anybody called you so you would turn red in the face…What a shameful thing it is that while you are bold about everything else you are cowardly about Jesus Christ. Brave for the world and cowardly towards Christ!” 13 Throughout this epistle the author continually reminds us that the real Christian must suffer for Christ if he or she is to inherit with Christ.
“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (12:3). The Greek word “lose heart” (ekllyomenio) has the meaning of “giving up” or “fainting.” 14 We think here of Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
The author adds these troubling words: “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (12:4). Jesus shed sweat for us like great drops of blood (Lk. 22:44) and then he also went to the cross where he actually shed his precious blood for us. He is our example and our leader. We might ask if our Christianity has cost us any blood to this point. “There may here be a reference to boxing at the games, where boxers wore studded leather on arms and hands which resulted in plenty of blood and gore and where to carry on fighting required extremes of effort and courage.” 15
We are not going to be whisked away to a party as some seem to think but we are headed for the battle of our lives as the end-times close in upon us. We must be ready to fight the good fight of faith, to agonize in it and then be ready to receive the victor’s crown. The noted coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Landry, is reputed to have said: “The job of a coach is to make men do what they don’t want to do, in order to be what they’ve always wanted to be!” 16
THE DISCIPLINE OF GOD
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:5-6
Here the author is quoting from Proverbs 3:11-12. Obviously, those who are children of God live out their lives under his watchful eye. He will be quick to punish all misdeeds of his beloved ones for he knows this is necessary. Some years back my wife and I visited an African American congregation. The pastor was telling how one of the church members confessed that he loved his children too much to punish them. The pastor quickly admonished the congregant “If you don’t chastise them they will chastise you!” In the natural world most of us know the value of correcting our children. How much more important is it for God to correct his spiritual children.
This passage may come as a shock in our permissive age when many parents are reluctant to punish children. The word “discipline” in the Greek is mastigoi and it is taken from an old word mastix meaning “whip.” 17 The idea of scourging or whipping is pretty obvious from this Greek word. Indeed Proverbs 13:24 instructs: “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” Also in Proverbs 22:15 we read: “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.” Of course, parents in this age will have to discipline children very circumspectly due to certain laws that have been passed in recent years, supposedly to protect children.
The ancient world, especially the Roman world, had a very strict policy toward child discipline. No doubt, those who received this epistle were well aware of the Roman law of patria potestas. This law gave the Roman father absolute power over his whole family and this power continued throughout his life regardless of the age of the child. Under this law the Roman father could discard his child at birth if he liked; he could bind his child and whip him as he saw fit; he could sell the child into slavery and he could even execute him. 18 Now obviously this law went to great extremes that are totally unacceptable today, however, it does give us a picture of how the ancient world looked upon child discipline.
I have lived long enough to see many of the Lord’s children get spanked by him. I have had a few spankings myself directly from the hand of the Lord. His scourging can come in numerous ways. Once the Lord scourged King David by allowing a no-good by the name of Shimei to throw stones at him (2 Sam. 16:9ff.). David had the wisdom to perceive that the Lord had sent the man to do it.19 Many different kinds of afflictions and chastisements can come our way from the Lord. We need to keep a good attitude when they come and try to learn from them. The Bible says: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word” (Psa. 119:67).
B. Meyer comments on the sufferings of God’s people through the ages. He says:
The Psalms are crystallized tears. The Epistles were in many cases written in prison. The greatest teachers of mankind have learned their most helpful lessons in sorrow’s school. The noblest characters have been forged in a furnace. Acts which will live forever, masterpieces of art and music and literature, have originated in ages of storm and tempest and heart-rending agony.20
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined— and everyone undergoes discipline— then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all” (12:7-8). The Greek word for “endure” used here is again hupomeno and it has as its basic meaning “to remain under.” Thus, we are told to “remain under” the hand of God, even if it is a chastening hand.21 God always has our ultimate good in mind. We are assured that all of God’s children undergo such discipline. It is almost as if we can say “Hallelujah, I am a child of God!” with each and every stroke we receive from the Lord.
“Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!” (12:9). As we grow older we come to appreciate all of the discipline we received as children. We also probably know that we needed some that we did not get. Our earthly fathers discipline us in an imperfect manner. Sometimes they spank too hard and sometimes not hard enough. Sometimes they get carried away with their own anger and the punishment can become almost hazardous. God never spanks that way.
“They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness” (12:10). Calvin sees that these spiritual chastisements are of much greater benefit than those we receive in the flesh.22 They may bring tears but they also bring holiness. The great C. S. Lewis notes: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to arouse a deaf world.” 23
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (12:11). God’s discipline is good for us. Coffman remarks about this saying: “The most wonderful people on earth are those who have passed through the chastening experiences of life, whose faith, love, and understanding and sympathy are grounded in the true love of God and man; and whose lives, as a result, have been expanded and beautified.” 24 On the other hand, when we resist God’s chastening we open ourselves up for much trouble. Guzik observes: “The reason why many live a ‘one-crisis-after-another’ life is because they are either blind to God’s chastening, or are resisting it.” 25
The Bible gives us several scriptures that should encourage us when we are in the midst of chastening.26 Romans 5:3-4 says “…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” James 1:2-4 reminds us: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Last of all in 1 Peter 1:7 we are assured: “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith— of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire— may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
IT IS TIME TO “SHAPE UP”
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Hebrews 12:12
This passage seems to be a reflection of Isaiah 35:3 which says: “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way….” Thus, we are to lift drooping hands and strengthen weak knees. This may well be an exhortation to strengthen and support our own prayer life and the prayer life of other believers. It is interesting that the Greek word (paralelumena) used of the knees has the meaning of paralyzed or palsied.27 This seems to aptly describe a good portion of western Christianity today. Hebrews tells us that it is time to “shape up.” There is a tradition that the knees of James, the brother of the Lord and leader of the early Jerusalem church, were as hard and callused as the knees of a camel because of his long sessions at prayer.28
“‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed” (12:13). This is no doubt a reference to Proverbs 4:26-27 where we read: “Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” We need to avoid crooked ways and unstable paths lest we fall and take others down with us. The Greek word extrepo used here can mean disabled but it can also have the meaning of being turned aside.29
I remember some of our distant relatives who lived near us in the country and who well illustrate this verse. The husband was a farmer who was seriously addicted to drink. Many times as a child I watched him sit in his old car at the road intersection and drink himself silly before he would finally proceed on home to his large family. As the years passed we noticed that almost all of the children in this very large family became alcoholics and several of them died young because of their addiction. The father had a foot that turned out of the way and the children were led astray by looking at his footprints and following them.
No doubt, much more could be said about taking paths that are firm and not crooked. Obviously, most natural paths are crooked and winding because they are laid out to avoid all difficulties. A straight path is one that has been especially prepared.30 In our case it has been prepared by God and is, in fact, his path. If some way we are about to take seems a little spongy or even the least bit crooked we need to avoid it. I like the old King James translation of 1 Thessalonians 5:22 which reads: “Abstain from all appearance of evil (KJV).” If it looks bad it probably is bad. When we avoid it we will be saved from a lot of trouble and our actions will also help deliver others.
The whole subject of the “paths of God” is an interesting one. Perhaps they are called “paths” and not “path” because they involve many aspects of the holy walk. We see in the scriptures that they are not only paths of righteousness (Psa. 23:3) but they are paths of love and faithfulness (Psa. 25:10). They are paths of justice and goodness (Prov. 2:9); firmness (Prov. 4:26); straightness (Prov.3:6); understanding (Isa. 40:14); holiness (Psa. 77:13) and truth (Psa. 119:30). Perhaps Psalm 25:4-5 should be our prayer: “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” This has been a constant prayer of mine since I was a young man and I think it is a good one.
THE FIFTH AND LAST WARNING
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
In most of the popular translations we are exhorted here to “follow” or “pursue” peace (cf. Psa. 34:14). However, the full translation of the Greek dioko used here means “to run swiftly in order to catch some person or thing, to run after, to press on.” 31 Perhaps our NIV translation is not too far off with the words “Make every effort….” Pursuing peace and making every effort to do so is quite opposed to our human natures. Calvin said, “Men are so born that they all seem to shun peace.” 32. The gospel of Jesus who is himself the Prince of Peace is set to cure this malady within human nature. In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Paul in Romans 12:18 advises, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Obviously, there are some instances where we cannot live at peace with certain people. They will not allow it to be so and the Bible acknowledges that fact.
We are next challenged to be holy. This involves the practical every-day process of sanctification. As we live our Christian lives we will find that the Holy Spirit changes our minds about what is and is not permitted in the Christian life. If we are really becoming sanctified in our walk there are some things that we no longer do. In my own life I remember some instances where I “heard” the Holy Spirit say “Don’t ever do that again!”
Those old habits and practices simply disappear in the light of Jesus’ presence. We must understand this. Jesus is not only interested in declaring us holy as a one-time gift but he is interested in making us holy in our day-to-day lives. Without this sanctification or holiness we will not be allowed to see our Holy Lord. Holiness or hagiasmos in the Greek has been defined by Wescott as “the preparation for the presence of God.” 33
“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (12:15). We are to watch out for our brothers and sisters in the Lord and we are to watch out for them diligently. The Greek word used here (episkopounten) is to have “oversight” and is the same root used in other places (cf. 1 Tim. 3:1 and Acts 20:28) for overseer or bishop.34 So we see by this that the matter of looking out for the flock of God is not just the work of the pastor.
We are also to watch for “bitter roots” growing up in an assembly. It is possible that this passage refers back to Deuteronomy 29:18 which warns: “Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.” 35 If these verses are connected, we can understand the bitter and poisonous root as apostasy or going after other gods or other forms of religion.
“See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son” (12:16). A sanctified lifestyle would eliminate the devastating sin of sexual immorality (cf. 1 Thess. 4:3). It would also eliminate the profane and unhallowed (Gk. bebelos) lifestyle that was seen in Esau. While Esau is listed here along with sexual immorality the scripture never describes him as such. He did however marry foreign wives who deeply offended his parents (Gen. 26.34-35; 27:46; 28:8-9).36 While later Jewish tradition saw him as a fornicator, 37 Esau mostly just appears as a person with no concern for spiritual things. He would certainly have a lot of company with many folks in our present society. We are to help guard our brothers and sisters from such sins.
People who live for the moment with no concern for the future are likely suspects to become involved with sexual immorality. Sexual sins somehow just seem worse than other sins because these sins do so much to harm the family and the church. When we fall into sexual sins we literally begin to mess with future generations in a most unwholesome manner. The damage we do is usually permanent either with devastating fleshly results or with deep emotional and spiritual scars that harm many lives.
The author continues with Esau saying: “Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done” (12:17). Many commentators do not see this as sincere repentance on the part of Esau. Rather they see the tears as sorrow on his part because the father would not change his mind regarding the blessing. All this reflects back on the ancient biblical concept concerning the power of the spoken word. Once the word or blessing was spoken it could not be retracted (cf. Isa. 55:10-12).38
THE GLOOM OF MOUNT SINAI
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; Hebrews 12:18
We now come to a biblical contrast of two mountains. The first as we see here is Mount Sinai where the Law of God was originally given. The second will be Mount Zion. Mount Sinai must have been a fearful scene with great darkness, burning fire, and gloom (cf. Exo. Ch, 19; Deut. Chs. 4-5). It was strictly forbidden for Israelites even to touch the mountain (Exo. 19:12-13). As we have indicated before, the unmistakable message of the first covenant was, “‘Stay away! Don’t come any closer!’…Everything about Zion says, ‘Come! Belong here! Be part of this community!’” 39
Like the Jewish believers of the first century there are so many Christians today who are all bound up with the old covenant. Their lives are regulated with “do not touch…do not do this or that.” Their ears have become deaf and they cannot hear or appreciate the sounds of Zion and of the New Covenant. George Guthrie remarks concerning this: “It would be a shame if people never hear the music of the heavenly Jerusalem because the thunder of our Sinai drowns it out….” 40
The author goes on saying that the people of old had come “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, because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death’” (12:19-20). The trumpet blast and the words the people heard terrified them. They could not bear the scene and they begged for it to cease and desired Moses to go up and hear the words of God and relay those words to them (Exo. 20:18-19).
The scene was so awesome and terrifying that both men and animals had to keep a distance. Even animals who wandered onto the mountain had to be stoned. Apparently for those people or animals that remained on the mountain, it was necessary to shoot them with arrows since treading on the mountain was forbidden.41
“The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear’” (12:21). When the people heard the long trumpet blast with the thunder and saw the fire and lightning they all trembled (Exo. 19:16). Here we read that their hero, even the great Moses, trembled as well (Deut. 9:19).
THE GLORY OF MOUNT ZION
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, Hebrews 12:22
When we come to the subject of Zion we come to something that is greatly perplexing to modern and postmodern ears. However, the subject was well-known and well understood by previous generations of Christians. The old hymns written in the last two or three centuries testify to this fact. Zion was the longing in Christian hearts in those days. Preachers preached about Zion and even before there was an Israel, the Pilgrim fathers of America talked and sang a lot about Zion. Some of the old hymns resulting from this early emphasis are: “We’re Marching to Zion”…“Zion Stands With Hills Surrounded”…“O Zion Haste.” We seldom hear these old hymns anymore and I don’t believe I have heard a regular preacher speak on the subject of Zion for at least half a century.
The problem we face as Christians today is that the concept of Zion has been cleverly politicized. This has happened over the last hundred years as the Islamists and later the Palestinians have used the term to vilify on a worldwide scale all efforts to reestablish the state of Israel. Thus it has become a term which is “not politically correct” to many people. In fact, it might now be one of the most toxic and politically incorrect terms on earth.
So, what really is the significance of the word “Zion” in the Bible? Is the term still important to God’s people? The word is mentioned 166 times in the Bible. That is a respectable amount of occurrences. Even “hope,” one of the three pillars of Christianity, is mentioned only 161 times. This immediately tells us that Zion is an important concept.
The actual name “Zion,” probably means “citadel,” and was first applied to the stronghold of the Jebusites captured by David. This stronghold was afterward also called the City of David (2 Sam. 5:7). Later, the term was applied to the Temple Mount and then expanded to include the whole city of Jerusalem (2 Ki. 19:21). Finally, the term was even applied to the people of Israel (Isa. 51:16). Centuries afterward, both the prophets and the New Testament writers further expanded upon it to include many of the spiritual realities that we now hold dear.
Thus the concept of Zion probably represents one of the most elaborate and complex spiritual ideas ever revealed to the heart of man. It ultimately encompasses the whole idea of God’s rule and reign on earth. Within this concept are the ideas of salvation, perfection, glory, joy, peace, rest, fulfillment, victory, holiness and many other beautiful realities.
We see in this verse that Zion is the goal of Christianity although this has been woefully misunderstood. We need to proclaim that the church will eventually flee Babylon, or the confusion of religion, and go home to Zion. So, let us say it plainly so all can understand, the church is about to go home to Zion. This is prophesied in Isaiah 51:11: “Those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” Obviously, this verse is pregnant with both natural and spiritual significance.
As we have already mentioned in this study, we must now rid ourselves of our latent anti-Semitism and realize that Jews and Christians must come together into one building, one Holy Temple and one people for the final days and the consummation of human history (Eph. 2:11— 3:6). It is obvious that the devil has been working overtime by polluting the concept of “Zion” lest this prophesied event take place.
The Bible warns us saying: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem [Zion], may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy” (Psa. 137:5-6). Our Bible also exhorts us in Psalm 122:6 to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This is not just a one-time prayer, as we can see from that strange verse in Isaiah 62:7 which says: “and give him [God] no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.”
These prayers put us in alignment with God’s great and eternal purposes because he says of Zion or Jerusalem: “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it” (Psa. 132:14). He says through the prophet Ezekiel: “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever….” (Ez. 43:7). We can imagine how God feels as peoples and nations try their best to pollute, politicize, steal away and even destroy his beloved Zion. In Zechariah 1:14-15 we read: “…This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure….’” Since God is extremely jealous for Zion shouldn’t we Christians feel the same way? After all, we are his children and our spiritual destination is Zion itself as we see here.
We have earlier discussed the theological concepts of “realized eschatology” and “inaugurated eschatology (cf. 4:9-10).” As we remember, these concepts assure us that we can actually begin enjoying heavenly and eternal things even while we live on this earth. The Greek perfect tense of verse 22, “you have come” (proserchomai) assures us that we can taste of Zion even now. Meyer states concerning this:
He refuses to admit the thought of it being a future experience, reserved for some high day, when the heavenly courts shall be thronged by the populations of redeemed and glorified spirits… Persecuted, weary, humiliated, these Hebrew Christians had already come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, and to the festal throngs of the redeemed.42
At this point some may feel utterly confused as to whether the scripture is speaking of the literal city of Jerusalem or of the spiritual Jerusalem. Of course, we know that the things we can see with our eyes are natural and the things we cannot see are spiritual and eternal (2 Cor. 4:18). We also know from scripture that the natural comes first and then the spiritual (1 Cor. 15:46). Just as we have already said in Hebrews, the natural often serves as a type or picture of the spiritual and the two are often closely connected. For instance, for someone in ancient times to have spurned or made light of Israel’s offerings, it would have probably cost that person the spiritual fulfillment and benefits of these offerings. It is much like body and soul. One is natural and the other is spiritual but they are very closely tied together.
It is much the same way regarding the natural Jerusalem. Somehow the spiritual city hovers over the natural city as the Jews have believed.43 To lose the natural might very well cause us to lose the spiritual and that is no doubt why God asks us to pray for Jerusalem’s peace even today. After all, in Matthew 5:35, even Jesus referred to Jerusalem as the “city of the Great King.” 44
Let us probe into the natural and spiritual a bit further. The natural often tries to deny the spiritual as we see with the modernistic philosophies and what we might now call modernistic pseudo-science. Many modernistic philosophers and scientists have denied the spiritual and held that the only real realm was the realm of the natural. These modernistic teachings are now being disproved in many instances. In fact, as physicists probe deeper into the beginning of our universe it is starting to look more and more spiritual in makeup.
This one verse is so saturated with significance that we dare not pass it by casually. He also says: “You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly….” (12:22). This reminds us of the myriads of angels who were present at the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai according to Deuteronomy 33:2. 45 Here we are peeking into the spiritual world where it is said of God “…Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him…” (Dan. 7:10).
Some translations place the Greek word panegyris from verse 23 into verse 22 and render it as the NIV does here “angels in joyful assembly.” This Greek word is only seen here in the New Testament but in secular language it was often used of parties and of the celebratory atmosphere often surrounding great Olympic competitions. “The atmosphere at Mount Zion is festive…Mount Zion therefore communicates exultation, warmth, openness, acceptance, and relationship set off in bold relief against the dismal portrait of the Sinai assembly.” 46
The writer says that God’s people have also come “to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,” (12:23). The Greek word used here for “church” is ekklesia and it most always refers to the assembly of God’s people.47 This is most likely a reference to God’s people at all times and in all places including those holy ones who lived before Christ. It could include the assembly of those in heaven and in earth.48
These have their names written in God’s book. The Bible speaks of two such books (cf. Rev. 20:12) the book of life (Rev.17:8) and the book of remembrances (Mal. 3:16). Utley sees both of these books as but metaphors for God’s memory.49 We will note in Revelation 17:8, that names were either written or else not written in these books from the creation of the world. There is no guesswork in God’s kingdom since he knows those who are his (2 Tim. 2:19).
These have come to God who is the judge of the world. They have also come to the spirits of righteous men made perfect. The idea of being made perfect (Gk. teteleiwmenwn) is in the perfect passive and has the idea of being “perfected at last.” 50 These are full-grown believers who have fought the good fight and who have finished the race of life.
Our author now says that we have come “to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (12:24). The reward of our service, the prize of our race is none other than Jesus. We are reminded of the refrain of that old hymn When We See Christ, written by Esther Rusthoi:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of his dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
Jesus is the mediator of our new covenant and has brought the covenant about by his sprinkled blood. We see once again that Jesus is not only the perfect high priest but the perfect offering. No doubt the sprinkling of the blood of Christ is the antitype of the sprinkling of blood that inaugurated the old covenant.51
We are told here that the blood of Jesus is much better than the blood of righteous Abel. His blood cried out from the ground for vengeance but Jesus’ blood cries out for reconciliation.52 Abel’s blood “was the blood of martyrdom; this of sacrifice. That accursed, as it cried from the ground; this only pleads for mercy. That denounced wrath; this proclaims reconciling love. That led to punishment which branded the murderer; this issues in salvation. That was unto death; this is unto life.” 53
DO NOT REFUSE HIM!
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? Hebrews 12:25
Here the author comes to the point of his last warning. Once again he uses the lesser to the greater argument. He is saying that if the people of old who were warned by Moses still sinned and were judged, how much more will we be judged and will not escape the one who warns us from heaven. The warnings from earth often concerned temporal things but the warnings we are now receiving from heaven concern spiritual and eternal things. This warning to us has an apocalyptic feel about it as we shall see in the coming verses.
“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens’” (12:26). When the Law of God was given on Sinai the voice of the Lord shook the earth (Exo. 19:18). Now we are promised a greater shaking, an apocalyptic and eschatological shaking (Hag. 2:6-7). The message of the whole Bible is that our world and universe are not permanent fixtures. The sure Bible truth is that the present world will pass away.
All this is dealt with fully in the biblical theme of the last-day or the Day of The Lord which is connected to the Great Tribulation. Throughout the ages virtually every prophet of God spoke about this dreadful day that is coming upon the earth. The prophets of old often called it “the Day of the Lord” (Joel 2:28-32; Amos 5:18-20; Obad. 1:15; Isa. 2:12ff.).
The early Christians actually looked forward to this special time and they also called it “the Day of the Lord,” just as the prophets had done before them (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Thess. 5:2). They had several other designations for this period. They referred to it simply as “the day” (2 Thess. 1:10), and sometimes as “that day” (2 Tim. 1:12; 2 Pet. 3:12). In addition they called it “the day of Christ” (Phil.1:10; 2:16).
It is variously referred to by other titles such as “the day of God’s wrath” (Rom. 2:5); “the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30); “the day of evil” (Eph. 6:13); “the day he visits us” (1 Pet. 2:12); and “the day of judgment” (2 Pet. 2:9). In these differing expressions the Bible is describing for us Christ’s coming kingdom and the terrible suffering that will precede it.
We know from scripture that the Day of the Lord had more than one fulfillment. These Italian Christians were about to face one tragic fulfillment of the Day of the Lord and that was the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans that would occur in AD 70. However, that was not to be the last fulfillment. The final fulfillment awaits us at the end of this age and we must be alert to prepare for it. We must be sealed with the seal of God in order to withstand the rigors of the coming day (Rev. 7:2-3).
At that time God will shake the earth and also the heavens. There are many scriptures that deal with this last-day event. The sealing and preparation for this day are clearly matters of the heart and mind and it is urgent for us to prepare. In Jeremiah 10:2, the righteous are instructed: “…Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.” Proverbs 3:25-26 states: “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.”
In Proverbs 2:7-8 we read: “He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
In Psalm 46:2-3 the Psalmist advises: “ Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” There are many other wonderful Psalms of protection such as Psalm 27:1-3, 5 and 91:1-8. Indeed, the Book of Psalms may become the hymnal for last-day saints.
God says to his faithful and beloved: “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Psa. 50:14-15).
In many other scriptures God vows to protect his own. Psalm 33:18-19 states: “But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” We remember how the prophet Elijah was miraculously delivered from famine for three-and-one-half-years, a period of time very similar to that of the Day of the Lord and the Great Tribulation (1 Ki. 17:1-16).
Indeed, we see that “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Psa. 34:7). The sun will not harm them by day or the moon by night (Psa. 121:6). Joel the prophet in speaking about the day of the Lord says: “But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel” (Joel 3:16b). In 2 Peter 2:9, the apostle assures us that: “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.”
“The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken— that is, created things— so that what cannot be shaken may remain” (12:27). Clearly, in the last day our visible world and universe will be shaken to pieces. All the things we see with our natural eyes will pass away and a new heaven and earth will come into existence (Rev. 21:1). At that time everything that can be shaken will be shaken. In order to prepare for such a day we must build our lives on things that are unshakable.
Let us think of some of these unshakable things. Jesus is unshakable as we will soon see in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The word of our God is unshakable. It has stood against the storms and earthquakes brought about by sinful men and their doubts for some 3500 years. In 1 Peter 1:25 the apostle says, “‘but the word of the Lord stands forever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you.” The love of the Lord is unshakable and the scripture says in Jeremiah 31:3 “…I have loved you with an everlasting love….” The kingdom of God is unshakable as we will see in the next verse. Finally, those who trust in the Lord are unshakable (cf. Psa. 112:6-7). In Psalm 125:1 it is written: “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”
We seem to be witnessing the shaking of many things already in our world. I have previously referred to this age as the “Jello Era.” Our confidence in government; our confidence in science as our savior; and our confidence in long-accepted moral standards has waned.54 We might add that our confidence in the financial and business world around us, including our jobs and banks has suffered a great shaking in the last few years.
When God gets through, all the things that can be shaken will then be shaken and removed. Only the unshakable things will remain and make up the new heaven and earth. After the end-day storm has passed by the righteous will still be standing (Prov. 10:25).
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire’” (12:28-29). What a great reason for us to worship and praise the Lord! The reason is that we have an unshakable kingdom. It is a kingdom that has never known a bad day and never will. It is a kingdom that is always on the increase (Isa. 9:7).
Here we learn some things very important about the God we serve. He is an awesome God, even if this is not recognized so much today.55 We learn that “God is a consuming fire…” (cf. Deut. 4:24). We essentially need to be fireproof if we are to dwell with him. Indeed, the prophet Isaiah exclaims about this in 33:14: “…Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?” This was indicated on the day of Pentecost as flames of fire sat upon the heads of those early disciples. We know now that the flames were not just for ornaments but that the flame of the Holy Spirit will burn out completely the dross, wood, hay and stubble of our lives.
We must get ready for the fire and get ready to meet God. In Psalm 50:3 we read: “Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.” Hopefully we will be able to say with the ancient sufferer Job in 23:10: “…when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”