In Hebrews 12, we find ourselves surrounded by a heavenly assembly where the faithful in Jesus belong. It’s more impressive than even Sinai. But whereas Sinai was unapproachable, verses 22-24 describe a place of celebration—awesome, yes—but also accessible.

This morning I spent time in Hebrews 12:18-24 during my morning reading in God’s Word.^[1] I found myself particularly attuned to some things I had never previously noticed. In the middle of a warning passage—a passage written to caution professing believers not to be passive or turn away from reverent submission to an awesome God—I found my heart and thoughts expanding in wonder, awe, and gratitude.

In the first of two paragraphs (vv. 18-21—full text at the end of this post), we encounter the author of Hebrews drawing upon the most awe-inspiring and truly frightening divine encounter in the history of Israel—the moment when God manifested himself at Mount Sinai in resplendent majesty and thunderously fearsome speech. The author of Hebrews portrays the scene using the following details:

• A mountain they were not permitted to touch

• A blazing fire

• Darkness and gloom

• Tempest (or whirlwind)

• A trumpet blast

• Words so terrifying that the people begged God to stop speaking

• Even Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”

Then, with God’s majestic power on full display, the author starts describing something yet more awe-inspiring (is that even possible?). This second scene radiates unsurpassable resplendent glory while starkly contrasting with the dreadful warnings of Sinai. We find ourselves surrounded by a heavenly assembly where the faithful in Jesus belong. It’s more impressive than even Sinai. But whereas Sinai was unapproachable, verses 22-24 describe a place of celebration—awesome, yes—but also accessible. The place seems to be described as up there, but in a real sense, according to this author, we already belong there. Here are some details from Hebrews 12:22-24:

• The heavenly city is the perfect archetype of Jerusalem, also referred to as “Mount Zion,” “the city of the living God,” and “the heavenly Jerusalem.”^[2]

• All around are “myriads of angels in festal gathering.” The author has already introduced the angels in Hebrews 1 & 2, but only to point out that Jesus is better than these powerful heavenly messengers. Here it looks like the author has included angels to highlight the majesty of the scene.

• But surprisingly, we’re there, too! We are included along with the entire “church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven.” We’re not physically there, of course, but since we’re already enrolled in heaven, we belong there. Notice also the description we’re given: “first-born.” Unlike traditional Hebrew inheritance laws where the first-born male got singled out as heir, in this scene we all are called “first-born.”

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