Question:
Hi David,
I was wondering if you have any articles that would explain the following verses below?
Hebrews 12:22-25
22. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23. To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Thank you kindly A******.
My Biblical Response:
Thank you for the Bible question. It is my humble opinion that Hebrews chapter 12 is a continuation of chapter 11. The word "Wherefore" makes this very clear...
Hebrews 12:1, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."
Hebrews 11 is often called "The Hall of Faith," all about great patriarchs of the Christian faith in the Old Testament. In chapter 12, believers are encouraged and admonished, because of the testimonies in chapter 11, to live a faithful Christian life, lest we become a root of poison (living in sin) that drags many other Christian people down with us...
Hebrews 12:15, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."
It is my humble opinion that the verses you inquired about in Hebrews 12:22-24 are simply giving us further reasons why we should live faithfully, because God and Jesus are in Heaven, and the saints, and the angels, and they are counting on us. I think that the following Scriptures clarify what I just theorized...
Hebrews 12:28-29, "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire."
Hebrews chapter 12 is telling us to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, because we have to answer God at the Judgment Seat Of Christ one day. That is my opinion. I learned years ago that when trying to interpret a particular passage of Scripture, that THE KEY to proper interpretation is to examine the entire passage. By examining chapter 11 and 12 as a whole, it is clear to me that the Bible is challenging us not to live in sin as a fornicator, or profane person; but rather, LIVE IN GOD'S GRACE!
I see so many professed Christians in dead ecumenical churches today, who hold grudges, are indifferent toward truth, prioritize money, and shun truth-tellers like me, which discourages other believers. I get discouraged by the Harvest Baptist Church on Guam, who are guilty of all that I have just mentioned, but they only seem to care about money (their jobs). Many believers have been defiled by their poor testimony, lack of love, lack of concern for truth, worldliness, and arrogance when someone tries to show them the truth about Satan's Bible versions, the heretic Martin Luther, or the accursed false gospel of Lordship Salvation. It is tragic!
I hope I have helped you my brother. I strongly believe that my interpretation is accurate, but you may also want to examine BibleHub online for other commentaries...It is always good to hear from you.
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