27 Heavenly Sounds

In the last section of Hebrews chapter 12 the author used an illustration by providing a historical and geographical reference that his audience would be familiar with, to show how all things in the believer’s life is fulfilled in Christ.

1 The Untouchable Mountain

Hebrews 12:18-21

The Israelites had an interesting relationship with Mount Sinai, after all, it was the place where God delivered the Commandments to Moses. However, it was also a location which was untouchable to the people:

Exodus 19:10-12

The author was showing that while the Lord was untouchable to those under the Old Covenant, that was not the case for those living under the New Covenant, because of the cross.

Moses had warned the Israelites so frequently against touching the mountain, that the people and even Moses became terrified of it. This only caused the people to feel more distant from the God whom they viewed as unapproachable.

In that, they were sadly mistaken. While the Old Covenant God was indeed untouchable, He wasn’t unapproachable, since the Lord had commanded that the people gather at the mountain (thus approaching Him).

For those under the New Covenant, the lesson is that we are to approach the Lord in the proper manner (through Jesus), who may be touched.

2 Mount Zion

The author then shifted from the untouchable mount Sinai, to using another illustration, that of a heavenly mountain, which was both approachable and which may be touched:

Hebrews 12:22-24

To symbolize the believer’s relationship with Christ, the author used as an illustration, Mount Zion in heaven.

Interestingly, both mountains were approachable, as even under the Old Covenant the Lord desired closeness with His people.

However, while Mount Sinai was approachable, there was the restriction of not being able to touch it, which showed how the Old Covenant provided only limited access to God.

There are no such restriction with Mount Zion of the New Covenant, as all are welcomed at the cross.

Because touch Mount Sinai carried a death penalty, we see that the Old Covenant Laws only showed man’s sinfulness, but could in no way provide eternal life.

Therefore, Mount Sinai and the Old Covenant brought only fear.

However, the New Covenant and Mount Zion pictures not only a holy reverence for the Lord, but the comfort and peace found in Jesus:

John 14:27

Mount Sinai was located in a desert away from population centers, making it difficult to approach, and with restrictions of access, thus showing the limitations of the Law.

Mount Sinai also represented Egypt, which biblically is often a “type” of the world.

On the other hand, Mount Zion represents the city of the Living God – the New Jerusalem, the place where man will eternally dwell with the Lord.

The author spoke of those who’ll populate the New Jerusalem, as being “registered” in heaven, which shows them as having met the official residency requirements (having been saved by the finished work of Christ).

In verse 22, New Jerusalem is described as the dwelling place of an innumerable company of angels, who as God’s messengers, shows that it is His home as well.

In verse 24, the author describes Jesus as the Mediator of the New Covenant, which He mediates by reconciling sinful man to the Father.

He then spoke of how Christ’s blood is cleansing blood (washing away our sins).

He then used the blood of Abel (not “his” blood), but the fact that he offered the first animal sacrifice, which like all others could only “cover” but not completely wash away sin.

3 Heavenly Sounds

The final portion of the chapter focuses on some of the amazing sounds from heaven, with the greatest being the voice of the Lord:

Hebrews 12:25-29

The author begins by issuing a warning, that one should not refuse the Word of the Lord.

He also refers to how Jesus both established and mediates the New Covenant, which was established in His blood.

Refusing to accept the Lord’s Word, is in fact refusing to accept the New Covenant, which brings personal consequences.

While touching Mount Sinai carried the consequence of physical death, rejecting the finished work of Christ at Calvary, brings the greatest of all consequences, the loss of eternal life, without hope of salvation.

Next, the author alluded to how the earth shook, when the Lord spoke at Mount Sinai, but it’s the Gospel which “shakes” everything that man has developed and established.

Because God’s Word is “alive” it continues changing, converting, and in effect “shaking” things:

Hebrews 4:12

Verse 27 points to how the Lord shakes things to change them. But this also points to a future shaking that will take place, when after the Great Tribulation, Christ will reign on earth for one thousand years, a period known as the “millennium”.

After the millennium there will be a final shaking, when the Lord will create a new heaven and earth:

Revelation 21:1

And:

Revelation 21:5

The chapter concludes with the author stating, that although all things will be shaken, the believer will not, since we are secure in God’ eternal kingdom, and by His grace:

Ephesians 2:8

Part of the concluding thoughts, point to the fact that the Lord is a “consuming fire” which speaks to His power and authority. And shows that we shouldn’t attempt to live contrary to His Word.

For the believer, the idea of God being a “consuming fire” means that He will burn up anything unnecessary or worthless in our lives.

However, for the unbeliever, it means that not only will those worthless things burn, so will all who reject Jesus, the only Savior.