1. You Have Come to Mount Zion Hebrews 12:22

2. Background The recipients of this epistle were in danger losing Christ (2:1-3; 3:12-13; 4:11; 5:11; 6:4-8,12; 10:25; 12:15; 13:9) The author used several approaches to encourage his readers not to fall away (13:22) One approach the author used was to focus on the privileges and blessings that Christians had over the Jews of the OT: an argument from the lesser to the great (12:18-29) What do Christians have that others do not? Consider eight Christian privileges!

3. You Have Come to Mount Zion Mount Zion is first a reference to the physical mount of Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5:6-9; Isa. 2:2-3; Joel 2:32; etc.) Mount Zion is also a reference to the spiritual house of God ruled by Christ now and in heaven (Psa. 2:6; Mt. 21:5; Isa. 28:16; Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:6) The Jews had a physical mountain to avoid (Ex. 19:18-19; Deut. 4:11; 5:22ff), but Christians have a heavenly city to approach (Psa. 132:13; Gal. 4:25-26; Heb. 11:10; 13:14; Rev. 3:12; 14:1; 21:1-3)

4. Myriads of Angels The Jews and been given the law through angels (Deut. 33:2; Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2) Christians have angels that minister to them (Heb. 2:13-14), to judge for them (Jude 14), and to praise God with them (Dan. 7:10; Rev. 5:11)

5. Church of the Firstborn The Jews had a physical nation and annual assemblies, but Christians have a church (called out) assembly and spiritual family (Mt. 16:18; Acts 20:28) The Jews were born into a nation, but Christians are born again into the body of Christ (Jn. 3:3-5) The Jews had a physical lineage, but Christians have their names enrolled in heaven (Lk. 10:20; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27)

6. God the Judge of All God will judge all mankind through Jesus Christ (Acts 17:30-31; see Psa. 9:8; 96:13; 98:9) Christians need to remember that they will one day stand before the “Judge of all” (Heb. 4:13; 10:30-31; Rom. 2:1-16) – His judgment is justified – His judgment is fixed – His judgment is impartial – His judgment is universal – His judgment is total

7. Spirits of Just Men Made Perfect The Jews were incomplete without Jesus Christ Christians can be just (righteous) and perfect (complete) in Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:14; 13:21; Col. 1:28)

8. Jesus the Mediator of a New Covenant The Jewish system of the Old Covenant was done away (7:15,18; 8:7-8,13; 9:15; 10:9) when Jesus died on the cross (Jer. 31:31; Eph. 2:14; Col. 3:14) The Christian system of the New Covenant contains better things (hope – 7:19; promises – 8:6; sacrifice – 9:23; possession – 10:34; country – 11:16; resurrection – 11:35; blood – 12:24) The new covenant gives life (2 Cor. 3:6) and is remembered each first day of the week (Lk. 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25)

9. Sprinkling of Blood The Jews had much blood shed under the OT, but that blood could not forgive sins; only remind of sins (10:1-4) Christians have the blood of Jesus that forgives (9:12- 14; 10:19-22) through obedience (1 Pet. 1:2) The blood of Abel cries out for judgment (Gen. 4:10- 11), but the blood of Christ cries out for reconciliation and peace (Col. 1:20)

10. A Kingdom Which Cannot Be Shaken The Jews had a kingdom that was shaken more than once (2 Kings 17; 2 Kings 25; Daniel 11; Matthew 24) Christians have an everlasting kingdom that will never fall (Dan. 2:44; Mt. 16:18; Jn. 18:36)

11. What Must Christians Do? Hear God: let us keep listening to God and his warning (12:25; see 1:1-2; 2:3) Appreciate God: let us continue having thankfulness toward God (12:28; see 13:9) Worship God: let us continue offering service well- pleasing to God with reverence and awe (12:28; see 5:7; 10:24-25; 11:7)