Hebrews 12:18-29 Lesson 434

Hebrews 12:18-29
Lesson 434

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Last warning.

The blessings (12:18-24) and demands (12:25-29) of salvation.

The world will end, leaving only God's heavenly kingdom (12:27-29).

"The terrifying demonstrations of the inauguration of the Old Covenant are contrasted with the heavenly
fellowships of the church: One vast brotherhood, in which saints on earth, and spirits of the redeemed, and
infinite hosts of angels are in sweet and mystic communion around the throne of God, forever and ever (12:22-24).

( "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 655)

Where is -

Mount Sion -
From the Hebrew word siyon. Mount Sion, also called Mount Zion or "the city of David" (1 Kings 8:1), is Jerusalem. Originally, Mount Sion was nothing more than a fortified hill occupied by the Jebusites and captured by King David (2 Samuel 5:7). David built a palace on Mount Zion and founded Jerusalem. In time, the name Zion became synonymous for Israel (Psalm 48; Romans 9:33) and the Jewish people (Psalm 149:2; Isaiah 33:14). In this passage, Zion symbolizes the heavenly city, the place where God dwells (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 14:1).

Study Tip:

Remember to read the Margin Notes in blue and click on the links.

The Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Hebrews

The King James Bible

Hebrews 12:18-29
Don't refuse God

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 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,

23 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,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Margin notes:

"Ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest," (12:18) - "You have not come to a visible, physical mountain (like the Israelites) that burned with fire or gloom and darkness and storm." The mount contrasted in this passage is a heavenly place.

"They that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more." (12:19) - Out of fear of God's power and majesty, the Israelites begged not to hear His voice again (Exodus 20:18-19).

"If so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned." (12:20) - As commanded in Exodus 19:12-13.

"So terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake." (12:21) - See Exodus 19:16.

"Church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven." (12:23) - "The church of the first saved, who have their names written in "the book of life" (Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12).

"The spirits of just men." (12:23) - "The spirits of righteous people."

"Jesus the mediator of the new covenant." (12:24) - Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (agreement). Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant.

"The blood of sprinkling." (12:24) - The blood of Jesus. Jesus died to save us.

"Speaketh better things than that of Abel." (12:24) - Abel's sacrifice was acceptable to God (Genesis 4:4). But the sacrificial blood of Jesus is superior (Hebrews 9:12; 10:10).

"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh." (12:25) - A warning and straightforward advice to obey God and not reject salvation.

"For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape." (12:25) - "For if they (disobedient Israelites) couldn't escape punishment when God spoke to them through Moses, how can we escape when He speaks to us through Jesus." See Hebrews 10:28-29.

"He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven." (12:26) - God warned us that He will shake heaven and earth (Haggai 2:6;2:21). When? The day Christ returns.

"Those things that are shaken." (12:27) - The universe and everything in it will cease to exist (Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:9-11).

"Those things which cannot be shaken may remain." (12:27) - The new heaven will never be shaken; it will stand for eternity (Revelation 21:1). Will you build your future on a world that will be shaken, or one that will last forever?

"A kingdom which cannot be moved." (12:28) - "A kingdom which cannot be shaken."

"God is a consuming fire." (12:29) - Quoted from Deuteronomy 4:24. See also Deuteronomy 9:3 and 2 Samuel 22:8-9.

New Living Translation

Hebrews 12:18-29

18 You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai.

19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking.

20 They staggered back under God's command: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death."

21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, "I am terrified and trembling."

22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering.

23 You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.

24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!

26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: "Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also."

27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

29 For our God is a devouring fire.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. What is the mountain that burned with fire? (12:18)

"The best way to know God's will is to say "I will" to God." The Philippine Star

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. The mount that burned with fire is Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Old Covenant (Exodus 19:9-25; Deuteronomy 4:11-12; 5:22-23).

Application thought for the day:

What does this passage teach about salvation and godly fear?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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