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Study in Hebrews

Study in Hebrews. Presentation 19. The Mountain Of Fear And The Mountain Of Joy Chap 12v18-28. Presentation 19. Introduction.

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Study in Hebrews

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  1. Study in Hebrews Presentation 19

  2. The Mountain Of Fear And The Mountain Of Joy Chap 12v18-28 Presentation 19

  3. Introduction Inv18ff we return to the contrast previously established between the old and the new, the contrast between the imperfect and the perfect, the temporary and the permanent, the O.T. Covenant and the N.T. Covenant. Here the writer develops the contrast through the allegorical distinctions of two significant mountains; Mt. Sinai, v18-21 and Mt. Zion v22-24. The distinction reflects the contrast between the old and new covenants previously referred to in the epistle. For important background see, Deut. 4v11. Ex. 19v12, Deut. 5v23-27 and Deut. 9v19. Presentation 19

  4. Covenant Comparison In these verses the writer brings out not only the character of the respective covenants but the people’s attitude towards God created by the establishment of the covenants. The Old Covenant was marked by: Fear and prohibition. The shattering majesty of God. The unapproachability of God. The sheer terror of God. What is the writers reason for wanting to compare the covenants as he does? Did he suspect that his readers felt somewhat cheated because the ‘new covenant’ didn’t begin with overawing crushing phenomena such as those experienced in the ‘old’? Presentation 19

  5. Covenant Comparison What distinctive characteristics are to be found in the New Covenant which ushers in a new relationship with God? What can we expect to find in Mt. Zion [used here to describe the heavenly realm] cf. v22ff. a. No longer separation from God but fellowship with him. b. No longer terrorising fear but inexpressible joy – cf. the joyful assembly of angels in Rev 7v9ff. c. Those who tread the pilgrim path have their names written in heaven long before their arrival. Lk. 10v20, Phil. 4v3, Rev. 21v27. cf. with Num. 3v40ff . The term ‘firstborn’ points to our being heirs. cf. Rom. 8v17. Presentation 19

  6. Covenant Comparison d. God the JUDGE of his people is there. This glory should not cause us to lose sight of accountability. The N.T. never sentimentalises the idea of God as Judge. God both discerns those who are truly his and vindicates his persecuted people. Cf. also 2 Cor. 5v10. e. The church is also defined as ‘righteous men made perfect’. This is the consummation of salvation. f. Finally, we come to Jesus, who has made the unapproachable approachable, and has made the imperfect perfect. We are encouraged to ‘DRAW NEAR WITH BOLDNESS’. Unlike the Old Covenant the New is marked by arrival , ‘But you have come’! Presentation 19

  7. Jesus’ Blood What is the significance of contrasting the blood of Abel with that of Jesus? Cf. Gen. 4v10-11 and Eph. 2v14-18. The blood of Jesus stands in contrast, not only to the blood of animal sacrifices offered under the Leviticalsystem but, also to the first human blood that was shed. The Abel’s blood cried for vengeance. When Jesus was crucified his blood opened up the way for reconciliation. Jesus’ blood speaks of redemption instead of condemnation 9v12, with the final putting away of sins 9v26, the cleansing of our evil consciences 10v22, the sanctification of all to whom it is applied 10v10, 14 and it speaks of acceptance instead of rejection. The blood of Christ speaks peace to the heart forever. And it is this shed blood that stands at the very centre of the New Covenant of God’s grace.. Presentation 19

  8. Jesus’ Blood The reference in v25 to ‘him who speaks’ refers back to the sprinkled blood of Jesus which speaks. It is the same as saying, God speaks to us by virtue of the redemption which he has secured for us through Jesus Christ our High Priest. The reader’s were in danger of refusing to listen, and so this warning, echoes what was said of Israel in v19 ‘they begged that no further word be spoken to them’. The motive of their request was fear rather than rebellion but the writer undoubtedly sees these words to be an expression of the hardness of Israel’s heart as their wilderness wanderings would continue to reveal. Presentation 19

  9. The Voice Of God Commentators disagree about who is referred to as having warned from earth and warned from heaven. Some say the former is a reference to Moses and the latter a reference to Christ. But others insist that it is not different persons that attention is being drawn to but different circumstances. God speaking in one instance from earth and in another from heaven. Verse 26 seems to bear out the latter view since it was not Moses’ voice that shook the earth at Sinai and it is God who promises one further shaking of the earth in Haggai 2v6ff. Presentation 19

  10. The Voice Of God Now the Israelites under the Old Covenant did not escape punishment when they turned a deaf ear to the word spoken to them by God. They were prevented form entering the promised rest cf. 3v19- 4v1. Now if this was the case when God warned from earth then surely those, who turn a deaf ear to God speaking through the gospel and by his Spirit - as he warns from heaven, have less chance of escaping punishment. cf. v22. If there was no escape for those who fell into apostasy with reference to the Old Covenant which was imperfect and incomplete, how can those who turn their backs upon the perfection of the gospel of grace hope to escape? Presentation 19

  11. The Voice Of God God’s voice shook the earth at the awesome moment when he communicated his law under which the whole of humanity stood condemned. That shaking was but a taste of the greater terror of the last judgement when, in the words borrowed from Haggai 2v6, God will shake ‘not only the earth but also the heaven’. In other words the whole of the created order. Terrifying though such a prospect is, it is good news for God’s faithful people! This final shaking, which describes the completion of judgement, also marks the completion of salvation. Presentation 19

  12. Future Glory It is for this reason that we must pay close attention to the immediate context of Haggai’s prophecy. In it we find an exhortation from God to his people to take courage because he is with them. They are told not to fear and are encouraged to grasp the promise that the future glory of God’s house will exceed all that has been known hitherto. The writer now expands what is meant by Haggai’s words ‘once more’ which point to the removal of those things that can be shaken, that is that which is unreliable and impermanent. In other words, it is a reference to the created order in all its fallenness. Cf. Ps. 102v25-27 [quoted earlier]. Presentation 19

  13. Future Glory The purpose of this ultimate shaking is that ‘what cannot be shaken will remain’. This should not unsettle the people of God because they belong to a new order of things which cannot be shaken. Indeed, we should welcome the removal of all that is imperfect and insecure and all that is hostile to God and his will and long for the establishment of an order of creation that is not only perfect but which is in harmony with the mind and will of God. This is the new heaven and new earth ushered in at the end of this age. cf .Rev. 21v1ff , 2 Pet. 3v10-13. All this takes place when Jesus returns in glory and majesty. Rev. 19v11ff. Presentation 19

  14. Future Glory Now the sacrifice of Christ which is unshakeable in its efficacy, is itself the foundation of the new order that abides forever cf. Rev. 5v11 ff., 7v13ff. The writer of this epistle is concerned lest his readers should forsake the unshakeable realities of the New Covenant in favour of an outmoded imperfect system which they had previously professed to having abandoned In v28 the writer sums up in a single concept the things that cannot be shaken, ‘a kingdom’, a harmonious society that is governed by him ‘who is Lord over all’. Cf. Rev. 19v6. It is an unshakeable kingdom because it contains no imperfections. Presentation 19

  15. Present Disintegration I once impressed my children by breaking in half a large section of timber. Their eyes popped out of their head. They saw their dad as a new Bruce Lee and certainly a lot stronger than they thought! What they did not know was that the timber was full of dry rot. It was diseased and the disease had radically altered the timbers properties; it made it weak. I would have made no impression on a healthy piece of wood of similar dimensions. The entry of disease into the world rang its death knell. My kung fu display illustrated the disintegration of creation. The introduction of sin caused the fabric of his creation to disintegrate. Rebellion from God’s rule sowed the seed of self-destruction; the cosmos was contaminated. Presentation 19

  16. Grateful Hearts However, the new heaven and the new earth will be ‘sin free’. There will be no imperfection and therefore it will be marked by permanence. It will possess an imperishable splendour. This being so there should be gratitude in our hearts. This is the focus of the exhortation of v28. Ingratitude lies at the root of sinful rebellion. Cf. Rom 1v21. A growing and spontaneous gratitude should well up in the hearts of those who have been brought into submission to Christ’s rule cf. 2 Cor. 9v15, Eph. 5v20, Col. 3v17. Presentation 19

  17. Grateful Hearts One of the greatest preachers of the early church was a man called John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople. He was fearless in preaching against the sin of the Emperor’s wife. As a result he experienced years of persecution. He was mercilessly driven to death in exile. His last words were, ‘Glory to God for all things’. Gratitude in this life is but a rehearsal for the gratitude that will be ours in the world to come as we understand more fully what has been done for us by Christ Jesus. This is the acceptable worship which we offer to God. And it is an appreciation of what God has done is doing and will yet do for such insignificant creatures as ourselves that fills our hearts with awe before him. Presentation 19

  18. Concluding Warning The writer concludes this section with words of warning, ‘our God is a consuming fire’. He is quoting words spoken by Moses to the Old Covenant people of God. In covenant context, Moses reminded the people that the blessings of God could be forfeited. The writer’s application would not have been lost on his readers. They have been told over and over again that they stand on the threshold of apostasy. That is not a choice that God could be indifferent towards for it was a rejection of the undeserved grace of God Presentation 19

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