Hebrews 12:22-24 (NKJV), “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”
Verses 18 through 21 are a brief summary of the events that took place during the mediation of the Law Covenant by Moses. (See Exodus chapters 19 and 20). Those events were a shadow and not the reality. (Colossians 2:17) Verse 22 begins a transition contrasting the inauguration between two different covenants (note it begins with “But”). Hebrews 12:22-24 lists the realities of the new covenant inauguration which are far superior to the mediation and establishment of the old law covenant:
(1) Have come to mount Zion — When we give our lives to God, we are accepted of Him and through Christ, we have no fear of approaching His dwelling (Mount Zion). (Hebrews 4:16)
(2) The city of the living God — Soon God’s will will be done on earth as it is in heaven. But for true Christians, their faith transports them into that future city and their current life is conformed to it in their daily lives.
(3) The heavenly Jerusalem — The seat of Christ’s government is in heaven. Revelation 3:12, Revelation 21:2.
(4) To an innumerable company of angels — Who invisibly serve and protect the Lord’s people. (Hebrews 1:14)
(5) The general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are registered in heaven — the household of faith and the Church of Revelation 14:4, which is the body of Christ.
(6) And to God who judges all things — Although the world will be judged in the future, we are being judged now. We are being tested and disciplined to prove whether we will qualify for the prize of glory, honor, and immortality. (Romans 2:6-8)
(7) And to the spirits of just men made perfect — Through the trials of their faith the ancients obtain a good report and will receive a better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35); however, they (the ancients) without us (the faithful Church) shall not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40)
(8) And to Jesus the Mediator (greater than Moses) of the New Covenant (a better one to begin in the near future, Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 10:15).
(9) And to the blood of sprinkling — It will be the blood of Christ that will ratify the new law covenant. (Mark 14:24)
(10) That speaks better things than that of Abel — This blood calls for mercy and redemption rather than vengeance.
