More of Mt. Zion from Heb. 12:23

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 07-16-03

 

                                                                                                           

 

My Worship Time                  Focus:  More of Mt. Zion

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Hebrews 12:23

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “23 to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,”  (NASB)  “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 of all people.  And you have come to the spirits of the redeemed in heaven who have now been made perfect.”  (NLT)

            This verse continues in the section that is describing Mount Zion, which is heaven and as stated earlier this is being compared to Mt. Sinai where the Law of God was given to Israel.  The writer goes on in his description of what this scene in heaven will be like.  He says to his readers that they have come to the general assembly, “1) a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities 2) a public festal assembly” as Strongs describes it.  This may be speaking of the type of scene that goes on in heaven.  He speaks of the church of the first born, which is describing Jesus Christ who is the first-born.  The church is the ones who have been born again into the body of Jesus Christ, and goes on to speak of God who is the judge of all.  Now the last part of this verse is likely speaking of the OT saints when it speaks of the “spirits of righteous men made perfect.”

 

            2.  As I was reading the commentary on this verse from Dr. Wiersbe’s book it spoke to my heart when he related a story about a man who asked him a question as to why the subject of heaven has not been talked about a lot and then answered his own question by saying that it may be because people are too satisfied with life while they are on this earth.  He then went on to speak of how good it is when people are having a hard time in this life to think about the hope of heaven that is written about in the Word of God.

 

The Word of God has given comfort to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To continue to lean on the promises of God that pertain to the situation that I am in concerning my investments. 

 

Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 121:1-4

 

1.      I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?

2.      My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

3.      He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.

4.      Behold, He who keep Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.