Does anyone understand
- Thread starter oldman
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Why not for the Church Age? Indeed it is primarily for the Church Age since the Resurrection/Rapture is for the Church Age. So kindly take a very close and careful look at this important passage, which gets scant attention.
S
SophieT
Guest
And we're off. wait...it's YOU that is off
Discounting Hebrews. What a great idea. It's not for Christians in the here and now.
Been talked to death in other threads
S
SophieT
Guest
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,
23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Hebrews 12:22-24
23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Hebrews 12:22-24
This chapter is part of a large sermon that is called the book of Hebrews. Chapter 12 is part of a persuasive speech that's comparing the old convenant with the new covenant. This writing is meant to convert practicing Jews to Christianity. I recommend reading the whole book slowly.
Whereas before if they even touched mount Zion they could be stoned in the old covenant, but under the new covenant, through faith in Christ, they can celebrate on the mountain with the angels, their names can be written in the book of life, their spirits can be made righteous and perfect in God's sight all because of Jesus who can be their mediator.
It is talking about the particular nature ("in the current state of things") of the body of Christ and how it/they are 'represented' in heaven - and - "touching upon" how they have "better access" to God/Jesus.
There is an explanation in the middle of the discussion on the following web page that may be helpful:
http://mywebsite.us/ABA/Topics/Local_New_Testament_Church.html
There is an explanation in the middle of the discussion on the following web page that may be helpful:
http://mywebsite.us/ABA/Topics/Local_New_Testament_Church.html
Other than the title of the book "Hebrews", isn't the very first verse clear in specifying who it is written to?
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways
Who were the forefathers of the gentiles believers?
Was Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea ever speaking to gentiles?
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, 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, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Hebrews 12:22-24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews 12:22-24&version=KJV
God is lonely. He wants to love and be loved......so what if you’re the God of ALL....are you loved and known and valued by Your creation? Are all your followers just “robots”?!! Programmed to love you?!!! That’s NOT LOVE. That’s manipulation and it will NOT satisfy the craving of LOVE, amen.
Everyone, OPEN YOUR EYES - see the great desire of God Almighty to be loved by YOU!!! How GREATLY He desires you to know Him and to love Him!
It is extremely important since it actually gives us a view of who all are PRESENTLY in the New Jerusalem (which is in Heaven), and these are the same living witnesses who are witnessing the race run by believers on earth.
THE NEW JERUSALEM: THE ETERNAL HOME OF THE SAINTS
1. THE NEW JERUSALEM IN PRESENTLY THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...
2. IT IS INHABITED BY COUNTLESS HOLY ANGELS
and to an innumerable company of angels...
3. IT IS INHABITED BY ALL THE NEW TESTAMENT SAINTS (deceased)
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven... [Note: all the names of the saved are written in the Book of Life]
4. GOD THE FATHER IS ENTHRONED IN THE NEW JERUSALEM
...and to God the Judge of all...
5. ALL THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS ARE ALSO IN HEAVEN
...and to the spirits of just men made perfect, [Note: the OT saints were justified by grace through faith, but were perfected and regenerated after the Holy Spirit was given to the Church]
6. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR DIVINE MEDIATOR IN HEAVEN
24 And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant... [Note: this refutes the lie that the New Covenant will only go into effect in the future]
7. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST WAS SPRINKLED ON THE HEAVENLY MERCY SEAT
...and to the blood of sprinkling... [Note: just as blood was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat on earth, it has been sprinkled on the Mercy Seat in Heaven]
8. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST SPEAKS OF REDEMPTION AND REMISSION OF SINS
...that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
When Paul says "ye are come unto" it means that the New Jerusalem is a present reality for all Christians, and that the moment a saint dies, he or she joins the New Testament saints in Heaven. At the same time, all those in the New Jerusalem are "so great a cloud of witnesses" watching Christians running their races on earth.
After the New Heavens and the New Earth are established, the New Jerusalem will descend from Heaven and then become a cubic heavenly body to replace the sun. It will give light to the earth, and this light with be the light of God and Christ (the Lamb).
5. ALL THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS ARE ALSO IN HEAVEN
...and to the spirits of just men made perfect, [Note: the OT saints were justified by grace through faith, but were perfected and regenerated
.
When Paul says "ye are come unto" it means that the New Jerusalem is a present reality for all Christians, and that the moment a saint dies, he or she joins the New Testament saints in Heaven. At the same time, all those in the New Jerusalem are "so great a cloud of witnesses" watching Christians running their races on earth.
both true and there IS greater depth to be found
...and to the spirits of just men made perfect, [Note: the OT saints were justified by grace through faith, but were perfected and regenerated
.
When Paul says "ye are come unto" it means that the New Jerusalem is a present reality for all Christians, and that the moment a saint dies, he or she joins the New Testament saints in Heaven. At the same time, all those in the New Jerusalem are "so great a cloud of witnesses" watching Christians running their races on earth.
both true and there IS greater depth to be found
Peter already stated in Acts 2, which was after the cross,
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Again . ALL the bible is for us , but not ALL the bible is TO us .
