To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay -- the Series of Explanation and Analysis of Scripture (15) - 12 - part II
The Explanation and Analysis of the Verses in Chapter 12 of HEBREWS
It is edited and compiled under the guidance of Holy Spirit. All thanks, praises and glories be to God!
The WARNINGS on the Salvation: (V) Do not turn away from LORD who warns us from heaven (12:14-29)
(1) Make every effort to be holy and live in peace (12:14-17)
(2) Mount Sinai and Mount Zion (12:18-24)
A. We “have not come to” -- Mount Sinai (12:18-21)
B. We “have come to” -- Mount Zion (12:22-24)
(3) Do not turn away from LORD who warns us from heaven (12:25-29)
The WARNINGS on the Salvation: (V) Do not turn away from LORD who warns us from heaven (12:14-29)
After giving the exhortations and encouragements in the above verses, here it gives this warning. The purpose is to reinforce the importance of the exhortations above, and also further illustrate the reason that the believers should keep the hope with perseverance and bear with the sufferings to run the race ahead. On one hand, it is because if the believers do not make progress forward and make every effort to be holy, they might miss the grace of God and the bitter root will grow up to cause trouble and defile many. On the other hand, since the believers are under the new covenant, have better hope, and wait for the better kingdom, they should bear with the light and momentary troubles, make persistent efforts, and run forward.
(1) Make every effort to be holy and live in peace (12:14-17)
HEBREWS 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
(NOTES)
Many spiritual experiences can only be obtained by making efforts. Here we see that to live in peace with all men and to be holy also need to be achieved by making effort, but not by letting things take their own course. Letting things take their own course will give chance to the devil to cause the misunderstandings and disputes, and will make one follow the selfish desires. We should make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, be willing to give up our own benefits and glories, love peace and desire for the holiness, and make a determination to seek it until we get it.
“all men”, it might include the outsiders of the church, even those who make them suffer. The believers in suffering should make even more efforts to live in peace with “all men”, for it will show more love, forgiveness and good virtues of the believers, also glorify God; and reduce the misunderstandings of the outsiders to the believers and gain more sympathy from people; in the meanwhile, also make the brothers and sisters have the same mind, sympathize and encourage each other to overcome the hardships.
“Make every effort … to be holy”:
The holy life of the individual is closely related to live in peace with all men. If one does not make effort to be holy, it will be difficult for him to live in peace with all men, for any individual guilt will not only do harm to his own spirituality, but also hurt other’s benefit more or less. These two verses let us see the truth from two aspects:
a. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy”; it does not mean to keep the peace with all men by sheltering and containing the sins and evils, but to make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy by the principles of the holy life.
b. “To be holy” does not mean to be regardless of the relationship with others. On the contrary, as to a person who lives a holy life, his relationship with others should be good, but not separated; otherwise, it won’t be holy and peaceful.
Therefore, what the believers should seek, not only to live in peace with others, and to be holy personally, but also need to pursue the holy and peace of the whole church (group).
“without holiness no one will see the Lord”:
The reason that the believers can become holy, is because they trust in the accomplishments of the redemption from Christ (9:10,14, 1Co 1:2), and take the holiness of Christ as their holiness (1Co 1:30). However, after the believers have the holy status, they still need to rely on the holiness of Christ to live the holy life in practice, and make every effort to be holy.
Therefore, here, “without holiness no one will see the Lord” means: although the believers were reborn to be in Christ, and through Christ receive the status and power to be holy, after all, they still need to be holy to see the LORD. It is obvious that holiness is God’s requirement to the believers and is pleasing to God. Therefore, the believers must rely on Christ in them, make every effort to be holy, and live a sanctified life. After the believers believe in LORD, they must be away from the sins and evils, make every effort not to sin any more and to be holy, and live the life of Christ. Even they sin accidentally, they must repent right away and ask for forgiveness right away to keep a holy life.
HEBREWS 12:15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
(NOTES)
“See to it ”; that is, to fear God, listen to and obey God, be watchful on one’s own conducts, carefully obey the law of God, and live a godly life. See also (1Pe 1:17) “Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. ”
“See to it that no one misses the grace of God”:
It is also translated as “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God” (K.J.V.), or “to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace ” (A.M.P.). It is afraid that someone will deliberately sin, will not make progress and be holy so that to miss the grace of the redemption from God. It is because God save us to have us be away from the sins and evils, be holy, and do good (Rom 2:7; Eph 2:10; Jam 4:17; 1Pe 2:15). Those who are not watchful and alert, might sin and fall, and be entangled in the net of sins and lose the salvation from God.
Note that “bitter root” not only refers to the wicked factor in the mind of the individual believer, but also refer to the wicked factor in a group, for it is said that “and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many”. Therefore, it might refer to the heterodoxy, or a wrong teaching, or a kind of sinners who can affect other believers. According to the context, a better explanation of the “bitter root” is that it refers to those in the previous verse who can not reach the grace of God, is sexually immoral, godless and profane and so on. They know a lot of truth, but they regard the teachings of the spiritual truth as ordinary rules, they are godless, and even are sexually promiscuous, love the secularity, and like the slanderous talks. Their conducts and talks are apparently right but actually wrong, and make many other believers be defiled. In a word, this “bitter root” has the similar nature and effect as “the yeast” mentioned in (1Co 5:6), which can make the whole church trap in the sins of impurity. Nevertheless, the author does not say it definitely that there is “bitter root” grown up in them already. However, the author warns them, if they are not watchful -- not watchful for themselves and the whole church, do not seek to live in peace and have the same mind, do not make every effort on the road to holiness, and do not strengthen the feeble arms and the weak knees, as a result, the church will not have the capability to give testimonies, such that the originally nominal believers in the church will sin boldly and give the chance to the devil to make troubles in the church.
HEBREWS 12:16-17 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.
(NOTES)
“See that”. These words are used for three times in these verses. If the believers individually are slack, standing still and declining spiritually, it will affect the whole church to be slack and standing still spiritually, which will be followed by all kinds of sins and evils and mistakes appearing in the church. Therefore, in the words of the warnings of the author, there are so many “see that”. It is because whenever the believers stop pursuing, their spirituality already has come to a point that need worrying!
Here, it especially gives the example of Esau to warn against those godless people about the dangers. Esau sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son for a single meal. What this example emphasizes is that Esau despised and had no faith in the inheritance in the future and the promise and blessings of God, but clung to the secular things. According to Genesis 25, it is said that he was a skillful hunter and a man of the open country. It is not by accident that he sold his birthright for a lentil stew. Before he had an insatiable desire for the lentil stew, he had a desire for the secularity already. First he often hunted the prays in the open country, until to the point that he sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son for a single meal. It is proper to use Esau to represent those nominal believers in the church nowadays. It is not that Esau had received the blessings of the father and lost it afterwards; it is that he originally had the sure chance to get his father’s blessings, but lost it before he get it. Nowadays, those nominal believers in church are the same; they originally have the sure chance to get the grace from God; however, because of loving the world, they do not get the grace from God in the end.
The result of Esau’s loving the world, is the object lesson and warning to every one who loves the world. It is not that he did not desire for the spiritual blessings, but he wanted to get the “lentil stew” first and love the world first, then to get the spiritual blessings. However, as a result, he got the “lentil stew”, but he can never get the blessings and inheritance connected with the birthright of the firstborn! Many people want to love the world before their eyes first, and would like to put off the spiritual blessings until some time later. Such people will walk on the painful road of Esau, and have no chance to regret.
(2) Mount Sinai and Mount Zion (12:18-24)
Here, the author let us compare the places that we “have not come to” and “have come to”, in order to illustrate that the grace and hope received by the people under the new covenant is better than those received by the people under the old covenant. Then it gives warnings to the Hebrew believers, although the grace of the new covenant is greater, if they get back to the Judaism and refuse the Gospel of the new covenant, they can not escape. Since they are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, they should worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
A. We “have not come to” -- Mount Sinai (12:18-21)
HEBREWS 12:18-21 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."
(NOTES)
Mount Sinai represents the law. The apostle Paul also used Mount Sinai and Jerusalem to represent the covenant of law and the covenant of grace in (Gal 4:21-26). Here, it first talks about how dignified and fearful Mount Sinai is; then it talks about how good Mount Zion is, in order to compare the difference of the believers under the law and under the grace.
“You have not come to a mountain (Mount Sinai)” is in contrast to verse 22: “But you have come to Mount Zion”. Here, it talks about the mountain that the believers “have not come to ” is a mountain as the following:
a. a mountain that can be touched:
That is, it can be felt and seen. Those under the law of the old covenant, act according to the sensible and visible things. Many ways that God used to teach the Israelites in the Old Testament are also visible and sensible, such as the guidance of the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire, all kinds of offerings, the Urim and Thummim and so on. However, the believers of the new covenant act by faith, but not by sight (2Co 5:7). LORD Jesus said to the Samaritans woman : “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ” (Joh 4:21-23).
b. a mountain with fire and flames:
According to (Exo 19:18), when Moses led the people to receive the law: “Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, ” The fire and flames show that the majesty of the holiness and righteousness of God is unbearable to men.
c. a mountain with darkness and gloom:
When LORD descended on Mount Sinai, the mountain was covered with a thick cloud over it (Exo 19:16) such that it turned into darkness; it shows that the laws make the sinners unable to commune with God without barrier, and unable to know the love and brightness of God. The laws can make people see the righteous, holy and majestic side of God. However, the believers do not come to this mountain with darkness and gloom to meet with God, but through the blood of Christ to have fellowship with God in the light (1Jo 1:7).
d. a mountain with storm:
The flames, thick cloud and darkness, all made the Israelites dared not to approach, and came near with fear. However, the “storm” makes the Israelites hard to stand steady. In verse (1:7) of this book, it used to cite the words in (Psa 104:4): “He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. ” This storm could represent the power of God to carry out the judgment so that all the sinners under the laws can not stand in front of God (Psa 130:3).
e. a mountain with a trumpet blast:
“to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them”. Before the Israelites heard the voice of God, they all desired to hear God to speak to them by themselves. However, after they heard, they asked Moses: “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” (Exo 20:18,19). Nowadays, the believers do not come to this mountain with thunder, lightning and trumpet, and do not tremble with fear to hear the voice of God with the ear of flesh; but approach the throne of grace with confidence and hear the voice of Holy Spirit in our minds (1Jo 2:27; 1Th 5:19).
f. a mountain that one can not come near to:
Before God descended on Mount Sinai, the Israelites had cleansed themselves for three days. And repeatedly God commanded Moses to put limits around the mountain, and warn the Israelites again and again not to come near the mountain: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” This shows that the sinners can not commune with God with confidence under the holy and righteous law of God.
g. a terrifying mountain:
“The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."” This is the situation that the Israelites came to the laws of God. It’s apparent that the sinners are very dangerous under the dignified laws of God, and live on the brink of death. However, the believers do not come to such a mountain. Under the grace of the new covenant, the believers come to God with confidence and peace, LORD Jesus said to His disciples: “I no longer call you servants, … Instead, I have called you friends,” (Joh 15:15) and also: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. ” (Joh 15:4) The author of the book told the Hebrew believers: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. ” (Heb 4:15-16) Therefore, the believers of the new covenant can commune with God closely and freely.
B. We have come to -- Mount Zion (12:22-24)
In the above, it talks about how is Mount Sinai that we “have not come to”; now it starts to talk about what a place we have come to:
HEBREWS 12:22-24 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
(NOTES)
a. we have come to Mount Zion:
Mount Zion is a mountain on the southwest of Jerusalem. David used to capture the fortress of Zion, then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David (2Sa 5:6-9). Therefore, Zion is also called Mount of David. “Zion” means glory and joy. Mount Zion is in contrast to Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai represents the law, and “bears children who are to be slaves” (Gal 4:24-25). Mount Zion represents the grace. We have come under the grace, and have freedom and happiness; we have received the Spirit of the Son, and are not slaves any more (Gal 4:5-7).
b. we have come to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God:
It is originally translated as “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, ” (K.J.V.). There is the word of “and ” between “Mount Zion” and “the city of the living God”, which shows that “the city of the living God” does not refer to Mount Zion, but describes the place that we have come to is what kind of place. We “have come to ” Mount Zion and also “ the city of the living God” and others places mentioned in the following.
“the city of the living God” is illuminated in the following, which is the heavenly Jerusalem; that is, the new Jerusalem mentioned in chapter 21 of Revelation.
c. we have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly:
The Hebrews respect the angels. Therefore, the author specially mentioned that we will come to where the angels are in the future. LORD Jesus said that, “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” (Mat 22:30) The angels are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Heb 1:14), and secretly protect and help the believers (Dan 8:15-19; 9:21-23; 10:10-12; Psa 34:7; Mat 1:20; Mat 32:13,19; 18:10; Luk 1:30; Act 5:19; 8:26; 12:7-10); also there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luk 15:10); and welcome the believers to get back to heavenly home (Luk 16:22).
d. we have come to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven:
Here, the church is called “the church of firstborn”; it is because the head of the church -- Christ is “the firstborn” (Col 1:15); the church is the body of Christ -- “the firstborn” (Eph 1:23); the believers are the first fruit among all things created by God (Jam 1:18).
Where we have come to is a place that all who have faith come to. All whose name are recorded in heaven, who receive one Spirit and one calling, have one hope, are baptized in one name, and serve One God (Eph 4:4-5), will enjoy the heavenly glory together and belong to the heavenly family.
e. we have come to God, the judge of all men:
God is the judge of all men, including the Jews and the gentiles, and all the earthly people. We all are originally sinners who will stand before the throne of God to be condemned; however, now we can come to God who is the judge of all men with confidence; it is because the redemption of Christ make us in Him be convicted no more (Joh 3:18;5:24; Rom 8:1). Since that is the case, we should not forget this great grace, and we should worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness (Psa 29:2), move forward bravely, and take hold of the hope ahead so that we will not shrink back and lose heart.
f. we have come to the spirits of righteous men made perfect:
“the spirits of righteous men made perfect” refer to the spirits of righteous men who are saved and justified. These righteous men are in heaven already and are perfect. Their souls are with LORD and wait for the resurrection of the glorious body. While those who have faith now will go to the same place as them and have all the hope and blessings as them.
g. we have come to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood:
Whether we can “come to” all the spiritual places mentioned above or not, is on the basis of whether we “have come to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood” or not. Here, “a new covenant”, “Jesus the mediator ” and “the sprinkled blood” are the three basic factors make us receive the grace:
“a new covenant” :
The biggest characteristics of the new covenant is that it is established by the blood of Jesus Christ, which is different from the old covenant to observe the laws by oneself. Jesus Christ is the perfect, holy and righteous Man; and the merits of his shedding blood guarantee all the believers under the new covenant to receive the promised blessings under the new covenant from God. All who under the new covenant receive the righteousness of Christ (1Co 1:30; Php 3:9), and have rights to enjoy the grace of the new covenant.
“Jesus the mediator ” :
Jesus Christ is as our mediator, not by His surpassing status as the Son of God, but by the fact that He used to shed His blood for us. Therefore, He as our mediator, is not to have God forgive our sins like the common people according to the friendly feeling, but have God forgive our sins according to righteousness. It is not that God do not punish us for our sins, but He had put the punishment on Christ. Everyone is willing to be the guarantor for good men; only Jesus Christ is the guarantor especially for the sinners, and bore with the punishments for all the sins of men. Therefore, He has the most sufficient qualification to guarantee everyone who trust in Him to come to God with confidence.
“the sprinkled blood”
The blood of Jesus does not like the blood of the sheep and calves which is only sprinkled on one’s body, or on the material tabernacle; but is sprinkled on men’s minds so that to cleanse men’s heart completely. However, although the blood of Christ for the redemption, is the basis for Him to establish the covenant and be as the mediator, one must accept His blood to be sprinkled in mind so that to put it into effective.
“the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel”:
It is because the blood of Abel is to charge the sin of Cain, and is the blood to convict the sins. However, the blood of Christ is the blood to declare the forgiveness of sins. The blood of Abel is only the blood of one who sacrificed his life for the faith, and can not redeem others from sins, nor can be the basis for men to establish covenant with God. However, the blood of Jesus Christ shed for many people, and can bear the punishments of others, and rescue people from death so that men can receive the blessings of the new covenant, also is the blood that can guarantee us to please God.
(3) Do not turn away from LORD who warns us from heaven (12:25-29)
HEBREWS 12:25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?
(NOTES)
“see to it” has been mentioned once in verse 15; in the second warning of this book, it also reminds the believers in the same way (3:12). Here, “see to it” is similar to “pay more careful attention” in verse (2:1). In the old covenant, God “on earth” through Moses warned those Israelites; while in the new covenant, He “from heaven” warns us through His Son. Thus, we should “see to it”, for if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? Here, “who warned them on earth” and “who warns us from heaven”, both point to God who speaks to us through His Son and Holy Spirit (Heb 1:1).
The words in this verse are very similar to those in verse (2:2-4) : “For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Therefore, we should be the same as those Hebrew believers. Although we did not hear the words from LORD directly, since the salvation was announced by LORD Himself first, now He announces it to people through His Spirit dwelling in His servant. If we heard the warnings to us but do not accept it, we refuse the One who warns us from the heaven.
HEBREWS 12:26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."
(NOTES)
“At that time ” refers to the time that God descended on Mount Sinai to give the laws. “his voice shook the earth”; that is, shook Mount Sinai. According to (Exo 19:18): “the whole mountain trembled violently”. “shake not only the earth but also the heavens”; this refers to the situation on the Second Coming of LORD. LORD Himself used to predicted: “and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, …They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. ” (Mat 24:29,30; Mar 13:25,26; Luk 21:25-27). However, note that before this verse is “but now he has promised”; it shows that the following verse is a promise: “shake not only the earth but also the heavens”. Although the majesty of His Second Coming will be greater than that of descending on the Mount Sinai to give the laws, it is not a terrifying coming to the believers; it is a coming that the believers hope and wait for, and it is a realization of the promise to the believers. However, as to those who refuse and disobey His Gospel, they should know that since His Second Coming will shake not only the earth but also the heavens, they can not escape the judgment and must be condemned! However, the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The further explanation is in the following:
HEBREWS 12:27 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
(NOTES)
“what can be shaken” refers to the nations in this world, and is in contrast to “what cannot be shaken”. “created things” refer to the elements, the earth and all things on it (2Pe 3:10-13). “removing” implies to destroy, remove and make it disappear (2Pe 3:10-13). “what cannot be shaken”; refer to the kingdom of Christ and those who belong to the kingdom of Christ, the home of righteousness (2Pe 3:10-13); the believers are brought from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son God loves (Col 1:13). This verse points out the reason that the nations of this world will be removed, is because the kingdom of Christ will replace the nations in this world (Rev 11:15), and those belong to the righteousness will last forever.
See also (2Pe 3:10-13) “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. ”
HEBREWS 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
(NOTES)
“cannot be shaken”. The kingdom of Christ is secure forever, and cannot be shaken. No matter how strong the nation in this world is, it eventually can not stand the judgment from God and will be removed. However, the kingdom of Christ is holy, therefore, it is unshakable forever.
“let us be thankful”:
Since we receive the kingdom that can not be shaken, we should not be shaken by things of the nations belong to this world, or complain because of any suffering in this world, but should be thankful. It is not that we need to wait for things of this world and circumstance become favorable to us, then we will be thankful; only because we are receiving “a kingdom that cannot be shaken”, it is enough to make us be thankful in any circumstance.
“worship God acceptably with reverence and awe”:
This is the method to show our thankfulness. To be thankful is not only shown on praising God orally, but also is to worship God by our entire godly life and spirit .
HEBREWS 12:29 for our "God is a consuming fire."
(NOTES)
This implies that “God cannot be mocked”. No one dares to have the careless and playful attitude in front of the consuming fire in case that he might not be watchful occasionally and get burnt by the fire. Therefore, we must not make light of the righteousness and majesty of God, and ignore the warnings to us from heaven because of the love and patience of God. On the contrary, we should make more efforts to be holy and live in peace, and worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
“The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: "Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?" ” (Isa 33:14)
“our "God is a consuming fire." ” :
As to the believers in sufferings, it is the comfort; as to those who refuse Christ and persecute the believers, it is a severe warning. It is because God will expose the motives of men's hearts, and give merciless judgment and punishments to those who do sins and evils.
Reference:
1. Zhongdao Chen: “The Lectures on the Bible Studying of the Letters in New Testament”.
