Hebrews 12:18-24

The Awesome Display of God's Presence on Mount Sinai

For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the words should not be spoken to them anymore. For they could not endure what was commanded, “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”

Hebrews 12:18-21

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.

Hebrews 12:22-24

This passage presents another comparison between the Old Testament system and the New Testament system, a theme throughout Hebrews emphasizing the superiority of Jesus Christ and the new covenant.

The author shifts from discussions of putting off sin, pursuing holiness, and God's discipline to this contrast, introduced with "for," providing foundational reasoning for perseverance in holiness. Since the beginning of chapter 12, the author offers gospel motivation to abandon sin and pursue holiness, fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ, the means of forgiveness and righteousness.

Without gospel motivation, calls to holiness become legalism. Here, the superiority of the new covenant motivates diligence in sanctification, reminding believers that without holiness, no one will see the Lord.

The description in verses 18-21 draws from Exodus 19 and Deuteronomy 4, portraying God's inaccessible, holy presence on Mount Sinai. The people could not approach due to their sinfulness; even touching the mountain meant death. Fire, darkness, gloom, whirlwind, trumpet blast, and God's voice terrified them. They begged not to hear God directly, fearing death, for the law exposed their sin and reminded them of their ungodliness.

Believers have not come to this fearful realm of sin's exposure but to accomplished salvation in Christ, where we are declared righteous and granted direct access to God with confidence.

The Example of Moses' Experience with God

Moses exemplifies faith from Hebrews 11, forsaking royal pleasures for Christ's suffering. Here, he approaches God while the people cannot.

Two types of fear appear: the people's terror as God's foes, despite miracles and deliverance from Egypt, leading them to idolatry and grumbling. Their fear was not reverential awe but dread of judgment.

Moses' fear was different—“exceedingly afraid and trembling” (quoting Deuteronomy 9:19). He feared God's hot displeasure toward Israel's sin, not punishment for himself. This reverential awe produces a lifestyle of worship, caution against sin, and embracing Christ.

Moses' life began with faith in Christ, cherishing Him above sin's pleasures. Post-salvation, he recognized God's severe displeasure with sin—seen in the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, and throughout Scripture.

God's wrath against sin was satisfied in Christ. Viewing sin as God does—what He hates and Christ died for—leads to victory over temptation.

Moses trembled more intensely at Sinai than at the burning bush, where God's self-sufficient fire appeared. He saw escalating displays: burning bush, pillars of fire and smoke, then Sinai's blazing fire, darkness, and whirlwind. Like Lucy and Aslan in C.S. Lewis's Prince Caspian, the more Moses encountered God, the bigger God became.

Believers, with direct access to God, should approach boldly, pursuing holiness to experience more of Him, magnifying His sufficiency in every situation.

The Incredible Position of the New Testament Christian

In contrast to Sinai's gloom, you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem—an innumerable company of angels, the church of the firstborn registered in heaven, God the Judge of all, spirits of just men made perfect, Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and blood that speaks better than Abel's.

Mount Zion represents the invisible, eternal church and new covenant, not a temporary, physical mountain. Believers are registered in heaven, our position secure. Christ interrupted God's wrath, securing our spot. We join perfected saints, looking forward to sinless eternity experiencing God alone.

Abel's blood cried for justice; Christ's unlocks direct access and enjoyment of God. Verses 18-21 evoke dread; 22-24, fellowship, joy, and peace.

Do not abandon this for the old system's exposure of sin, judgment, and inaccessibility. Your former life offered only gloom and condemnation. Persevere, motivated by gospel realities.