Hebrews 12:18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am full of fear and trembling.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
But you have come to Mt Zion … Consonant with the comparisons throughout the book of Hebrews, the apostle draws yet another contrast between the shadow and the reality, between the temporary and the permanent, between the Old and New Covenants, … between Mt Sinai and Mt Zion. In the Old Covenant Israel came to Mt Sinai; in the New Covenant, the people of God (the Church), have come to Mt Zion. The comparison between the two mountains highlights the differences as well as the significance of each:
Mt Sinai … Israel came (**See Exodus 19 and Deuteronomy 4)
to a mountain that can be touched
to a blazing fire
to darkness
to gloom
to a whirlwind
to the blast of a trumpet
to the voice of God which filled Israel with mortal dread (Ex 20:19)
Mt Zion … the New Covenant people have come
to the city of the living God
to the heavenly Jerusalem
to the myriad of angels
to the general assembly and church of the first born enrolled in heaven
to God, the Judge of all
to the spirits of the righteous made perfect
to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant
to the sprinkled blood
But you have come to Mt Zion … The present perfect tense, You have come, denotes an action that began in the past and continues to the present time. In worship and in prayer, the people of God have come and continue to come to Mt Zion, the mountain of God’s grace. Through the High Priestly work and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we draw near with boldness to the Throne of Grace in heaven itself (cf Hebrews 6, 9).
But you have come to Mt Zion … expresses the apostle’s confidence, his being “convinced of better things concerning you” (Hebrews 6:9) … that a genuine work of God’s grace is at work in the people of God. Having been baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection, we draw near to Mt Zion in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22f; Romans 6), holding fast the confession of our hope in the person and work of Jesus Christ. We have come to Mt Zion, to the blood of Jesus which bestows eternal redemption (9:12), which has put away our sin (9:26), which perfects those who are sanctified (10:14), and which has made our peace with God (Colossians 1:20).
But you have come to Mt Zion … “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.
Mt Zion in the Psalms:
50:2 Out of Zion hath God appeared in perfect beauty
65:1 Thou, O God, art praised in Zion
132:14-15 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
3:4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.
5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy:
and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
20:1, 2 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion
26:8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth.
43:3,4 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy
87:1-3,5 His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. … And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
99:2 The Lord is great in Zion;
99:9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.
102:21 that they may declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem
134 Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
JSH+