November 30

Our Heritage And Our Goal

Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. — Heb 12:22-24 BSB

We are far from being perfect, but when we ascend into the presence of God through faith and prayer, we join a host of kindred spirits. These spirits, devoted to the same Lord, have known and helped us in our earthly lives. They have been sent to minister to us, guiding us along the way. “You have come to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.”

We also come to God, the Judge of all. When Moses stood before God on Mount Sinai, he said, “I exceedingly fear and tremble.” But we may come boldly to the throne of grace, for in Christ, we are accepted. He is the Mediator of the New Covenant, and His blood speaks better things than the blood of Abel. Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance, but Christ’s blood cries out for mercy. His blood has opened the way into the Holiest, cleansed us from sin, ratified the New Covenant, and is the pledge of our redemption.

Though we are aware of our sinfulness, we can still rise into the unseen and join the one Church of the Redeemed, in heaven and on earth. We are part of it in God’s purpose, by the work of Christ, but we must also embrace it spiritually, experiencing true communion and fellowship.

We are members of the Church Universal, citizens of the Heavenly City, and heirs of the Redemption that has separated us from the world. We are part of that great throng—“the general assembly and church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.” No power can separate us from this fellowship, except for sin or spiritual dullness.

Prayer

Lord, we thank You for this glimpse of the bliss of Paradise. We join the angels and the Redeemed in worship. To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing, honor, glory, and power, forever. Amen.