(Below find Hebrews 12:18-24 AMP. Note the fearfulness of the Old Covenant refe
rence in v.18-21 vs. The Free Invitation to come up to Zion in the New Covenant v.22-24.)
For you have not come [as did the Israelites in the wilderness] to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to gloom and darkness and a raging windstorm, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and a sound of words [such that] those who heard it begged that nothing more be said to them. 20 For they could not bear the command, “If even a wild animal touches the mountain, it will be stoned [to death].” 21 In fact, so terrifying was the sight, that Moses said, “I am filled with fear and trembling.”
(From here forward, note that the application of the New Covenant applies now to Zion and everything changes.What emotions are evident in the writer’s voice describing Zion in these contrasting passages? They are numerated to aid in identifying the many phrases of description.)
- But you have come to Mount Zion
- and to the city of the living God,
- the heavenly Jerusalem,
- and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering],
- and to the general assembly and
- assembly of the firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven,
- and to God, who is Judge of all,
- and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect [bringingthem to their final glory],
- and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant [uniting God and man],
- and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks [of mercy], a better andnobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].
Pretty amazing invitation, isn’t it? The writer of Hebrews sounds like he or she has been there and can vividly describe what he or she saw.
In the New Testament, Zion refers not only to the whole city of Jerusalem but to the entire nation of Israel (Ro. 11:26-27). In Heb. (12:22-23) and Rev. (21:9-22:5) Zion refers to the New Jerusalem. Above we see Zion refers to the dwelling place and destiny of all the redeemed in eternity. Zion also refers to the capital city of the millennial kingdom in the coming age (Is. 1:27, 2:3, 4:1-6, Joel 3:16, Zech. 1:16, 17, 8:3-8, Romans 11:26).
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith, but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame (Romans 9:30-33 NIV).”
Now that you know you are welcome there, please ask Jesus if you might come there and bring your prophetic word (or something else possibly? He might counsel you in this.) and if there is any preparation you need to do so. He may answer in a variety of ways so give it a day or two, but expect to hear. You were made for relationship with Him.
Click here to view the meeting over the heavenly encounter with Zion, the New Jerusalem.