Thursday: They Will See His Face
Read Hebrews 12:22-24. In what sense have we arrived at heavenly Jerusalem into the presence of God?
It is argued that believers “have come” to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, through faith. In this sense, their experience anticipates the future. Thus, the heavenly Jerusalem belongs to the realm of the things “hoped for” and “not seen” but nevertheless assured to us through faith (Hebrews 11:1).
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While true, this is not the whole meaning of this passage. We have also arrived at Mount Zion, in the very presence of God, through our representative Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 3:1). Jesus’ ascension is not a matter of faith, but of fact. It is this historical dimension of Jesus’ ascension that provides compelling force to the exhortation of Hebrews to hold fast to our confession (Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 10:23). Paul says: “Since … we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, … let us … with confidence draw near” (Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 4:16, ESV).
Thus, we have already arrived through our representative and, therefore, should act accordingly. Through Him, we “have tasted the heavenly gift … and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come” (Hebrews 6:4-5, ESV). The reality of Jesus’ ascension and ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19, ESV), the guarantee that the promises have substance and are worthy of confidence (Hebrews 7:22). For us, faith has a historical anchor.
God’s purpose will be fulfilled not only in Jesus, however, but also in us. We have said that Jesus’ ascension fulfilled the typology of the first two yearly pilgrimages of Israel, Passover and Pentecost. According to Hebrews and the book of Revelation, the last pilgrimage, the Feast of Booths, is yet to be fulfilled. We will celebrate it with Jesus, when we are in the “city … whose architect and builder is God,” in the heavenly homeland (Hebrews 11:10 [NIV], Hebrews 11:13-16). We will not build booths, but God’s booth, or tent, will descend from heaven, and we will live with Him forever (Revelation 7:15-17; Revelation 21:1-4; Revelation 22:1-5; Numbers 6:24-26).
| How can we learn to make the promise of eternal life real to us now, amid a world so full of pain and suffering? What answer can you give to those who say that this is all just a fantasy to help us feel better about our life here and now? |
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In the current world climate it is easy to do a lot of longing for heaven. The events in Ukraine have captured our attention and we are being subject to a reality TV series that none of us really wants. Here in Australia we are having our own crisis. This week, thousands of homes have been destroyed by floods. Even as I write this morning they are evacuating parts of north-western Sydney because they anticipate the floods will reach unprecedented heights. That is less tha 100km away! (And I am complaining because my feet get wet when I go outside!😢☔️)
My non-believing friends think that talking about Heaven and the new Earth as escapist thinking. And it is against this background that I have to write about what our lesson means today.
Somewhere in my thinking, I came to understand that the reality of Christianity has to be about the present. I don't deny that there is heaven to look forward to but we only make that real when we put others first now. The author of today's lesson conveys that in:
We make the future real by sharing our "Mount Zion" experience with others now.
The author asks the question:
I like to think that my answer has very few words but it is shown in our actions.
For the Kingdom of Heaven to be meaningful in the future, it must be meaningful in the present. We may not be able to stop wars, or physically rescue people in flood waters, but we need to look for opportunities to offer compassion, understanding and help to those within our circle of influence. Our greatest sin is to close our eyes to the little opportunities to act as citizens of the Kingdom of God now. For many people, we are the face of Jesus.
So true Maurice. A pair of hands offering to help, a compassionate smile, a word of empathy is so important - especially in the present circumstances of so much destruction and disruption of so many people's lives across multiple countries.
I pray that your feet continue to only get wet on the outside of your dwelling...
Heb.6:10-20KJV – I had to read the entire chapter to understand the context of v.19 - ”Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”
This 'hope' refered to in this verse, to my understanding, assures the Hebrews that they, and in turn all who believe, have entered the place ‘within the veil’ – God’s presence - as we live our life now.
Verse 12 points out to ‘not be slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’ The promises are those received through faith and patience.
Verse 17 points out that He showed to ‘the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel , by confirming [or, interposing himself] by an oath.’
Verse 18; 19; 20 point out that by the promise and the oath those ‘who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us have strong consolation’; ‘which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; where the forerunner is for us entered … . - the presence of the Father.
A life of Faith is a life of commitment to maintaining the faith through hope. The world cannot understand the believer’s decision unless they also believe in God first. All who believe and are willing to live their life according to the Gospel have joined the brotherhood of believers and live now by faith in the kingdom of God here on earth as sons and daughters of the Father.
We are in the presence of the Father when we love Him and accept His guidance through the Holy Spirit. By faith, through steadfast hope in the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises, we live our lives until the time comes when He calls on us to lay down our body of flesh and enter the new body given to the faithful servant.