We have Come to the Heavenly Jerusalem
Hebrews 12:22, in contrast to the foregoing verses about Israel’s experience, says, “But you have come forward to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.”
In Hebrews 12:22 the writer tells us that we have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. This verse does not say that we will come but that we have come to the heavenly Jerusalem. If Mount Zion and the city of the living God were something physical, how could we have come to them even today?…This city is heavenly in nature. We have received a heavenly call (Heb. 3:1), have tasted the heavenly gift (Heb. 6:4), and can live a heavenly life on earth today (Col. 3:1-2).*
We need to give close attention to every word of the Bible. Here it says that “we have come forward.” Our experience might not confirm this, but that means there is a great shortage in our experience.
By the Lord’s doing in our salvation, we have come in position. Now we need to come forward in our experience. This is Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come forward with boldness to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help.”
We have boldness because we have a heavenly High Priest who knows our weakness but does not condemn us. Let us come to Him in prayer, singing, praising, and musing on His word. Then we gain a foretaste of New Jerusalem’s mercy and grace.
* From chapter 27, Witness Lee, God’s New Testament Economy, published by Living Stream Ministry, © Witness Lee, 1986.
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Posted by Don on November 11, 2022
