Monday: You Have Come to God, the Judge of All
Read Hebrews 12:23. If this is a celebration, why is God described as a judge? How can a judge be part of or a reason for a celebration? Read also Daniel 7:9-10, Daniel 7:13-22.
The celebration described in Hebrews 12:22-24 alludes to a future judgment. God, the judge, presides, and books are used, and the result of this future judgment from the books is that God’s people receive the kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
This scene evokes the great pre-Advent judgment described in Daniel chapter 7, which portrays a judgment scene where God, the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9), sits on a throne made of fire and is surrounded with “ten thousand times ten thousand” (Daniel 7:10) angels. Books are opened (Daniel 7:10), and the judgment is decided in favor of “the saints of the most High,” who then “possessed the kingdom.” (Daniel 7:22).
Similarly, Hebrews 12:22-29 describes a judgment scene at Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, where God, “the Judge of all,” is surrounded with “thousands upon thousands” of angels (NIV). The scene is also a fiery one (Hebrews 12:29). It includes books because the saints are “enrolled” in them (Hebrews 12:23, ESV), which implies a favorable judgment for the saints.
Jesus is at the center of the scene (Hebrews 12:24). He was described as the Son of Man in Hebrews 2, who was “crowned with glory and honor” after having tasted “death” in our behalf (Hebrews 2:9, ESV). According to Hebrews 2:10, the “son of man” (see Hebrews 2:6, ESV) suffered in order that He could bring “many sons to glory” (ESV); that is, in order that believers would be able to be “crowned with glory and honor” as well. The “Son” has now brought believers into Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, through the benefits of the new covenant (Hebrews 12:22-24), where they are promised to receive a kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).
This judgment is, then, really good news for believers because it is a judgment that rules in their favor. It vindicates them. It is a judgment that defeats their adversary, the dragon, who is behind the terrible beasts that have persecuted believers in the past (Daniel chapter 7) and will do so in the future (Revelation chapter 13).
| How does what we studied today help us understand that God’s judgment in the three angels’ messages is “good news” for this time (Revelation 14:6-7; compare with Deuteronomy 32:36; 1 Chronicles 16:33-35)? |
(14)
I was busy yesterday and didn't get around to writing a comment, so, part of my comment this morning refers to Sunday's lesson as well.
The ancient city of Jerusalem was built on a number of squat hills. Mount Moriah was where the Temple of Solomon and later the second temple was built. Mount Zion was the hill on which the ancient fortress of the Jebusites was built. This was captured by King David and became the capital of the Israelite nation. Zion later became another name for the city of Jerusalem itself. and became synonymous with both the government and the spiritual heart of Israel. References to Zion in Hebrew literature can refer to either the centre of government or the seat of worship for the nation.
It is understandable that the author of the book of Hebrews uses Zion as a symbol of both judgement and celebration - the reference would have been appreciated by his Hebrew audience.
If you studied Shakespeare at school and had to analyse his dramas you will be familiar with the idea of a "denouement". It is the part of the play where all the threads are drawn together and explanations offered. It is the bit I remember most because that is the part that teachers like to home in on in examinations to see if you were really listening in class. Essentially if you got the denouement of the play, you probably understood what the play was about.
Hebrews is essentially an argument about the move from the earthly sacrificial system to the universe-wide picture of salvation. I once went to a Cineramascope movie theatre where the film started off in the usual 4:3 format, just like an ordinary movie. Then, with the appropriate change of tempo in the music the image expands ddramatically to the whole wrap-around screen and you are suddenly in a breathtakingly immersive experience. It certainly takes your breath away, especially when it depicts you as suspended in the middle of the Grand Canyon!
The author of Hebrews is providing the spiritual equivalent. The earthly view of salvation had been limited to a national view, but now, with the cross, the expanded view involving not just the rest of the earth, but all of creation is provided. The denouement is in sight and the new vision provides the explanation we have been seeking and is beyond what we even imagined.
“Hebrews is essentially an argument about the move from the earthly sacrificial system to the universe-wide picture of salvation….. The earthly view of salvation had been limited to a national view, but now, with the cross, the expanded view involving not just the rest of the earth, but all of creation is provided.”
Yes, yes! Thank you so much for these statements!
I must confess that I now feel for the struggle that these new believers were going through, which necessitated the writing of the book of Hebrews…. It seems so easy to side-track to a “what did this symbol mean” or “who does Melchizedek represent” or “which room did Jesus enter” kind of thinking, placing too much significance on earthly understanding.
Again, here is an example of our need to see the bigger picture; to re-centre on Jesus and on our Heavenly Father’s grace and deep love for us. For, since we are receiving an unshakeable Kingdom, let’s take hold of God’s grace, which is what enables us to serve Him with reverence and godly fear. (my paraphrase)
What is the good news of the Three Angels Message? I do believe it is there to warn us all to be ready for Christ return, giving the last cry to return to Christ if we have wondered away, for those who have never made a stand for Christ, for those who have never heard of Jesus Christ as one who came to save and not to condemn, and for those of us who have consecrated our lives to Christ, to encourage us to endure to the end, that all is Good News. Good news chariots a coming and I don't want to leave me behind. He won't if we ask Him to remember us in His kingdom, on a daily basis. I never forgot my father's prayers in family worship, "and Dear Lord save us in thy kingdom." Now it is Ok to develop a relationship with Christ that is everlasting so that our family members, church and home, will not have to cry if we are not there. Thank you William Earnhardt for that thought. Sabbath I listed several reasons why it is difficult to be lost. I do believe this is another.
Why is God's judgment in the three angels messages good news? Because He will reveal the truth about His Plan of Salvation, many have been confused or mislead or purposely been deceived. It will be revealed if they have accepted the renewed covenant which is the truth of the LORD's character, the fact of Jesus' atoning sacrifice, submission to God's government and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?
So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives.
Thanks to the author of todays lesson. For the first time in a while I see judgment as good news and not a day to dread for Gods children. LORD I pray we be among those who eagerly awaits the judgment day of GOD. Amen.
The judgement is good news for us because the accusation against us will be rejected. A glorious future awaits us.Once judgement has been made, then Jesus will receive the kingdom which He will hand over to the saints of the most high (Dan 7: 27).