God Calls Us to the Heavenly Jerusalem

Metaphor: Heavenly Jerusalem

Concept:  We no longer have a covenant of judgment which leads to Mt Sinai but a covenant of grace that leads to the heavenly city of New Jerusalem the place of God’s eternal dwelling.  

Gal 4:26  But the Jerusalem above (the Messianic kingdom of Christ) is free, and she is our mother.

Heb 12:22 But rather, you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering, AMP

 Instead of returning to Mount Sinai, the readers are urged to continue their approach to Mount Zion, the spiritual mountain and city where God dwells and reigns. Paul in Gal 4:19-31 contrasts the First Testament with the New Testament by speaking of Sinai and the Jerusalem which is above. The writer here defines what he means by Mount Zion in the words "even unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem." The angels are introduced here because they are the usual accompaniment of God's glory and ministers of His will. The words "general assembly" are the translation of ‎paneguris‎, "a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities" (classical meaning). Here it refers to a festal gathering of the holy angels, and to the saints of God, living and dead. The word "church" is the translation of ‎ekklesia ‎which means "a called-out body of people, an assembly." The words "spirits of just men made perfect" refer to the saints in heaven. The festal character of this great company is set in sharp contrast to the sombre, terrible appearance of Sinai. Thus, does the writer warn his readers not to go back to the First Testament, to Sinai, and judgment, and exhorts them to go on to the New Testament and join this vast multitude composing this festal gathering. (from Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament)

May we be like Abraham who according to Heb 11:10 was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God. AMP

Today enjoy all that God gives us in this life that is good and pure, but guard your heart from seeking to gather possessions here at the expense of living a life that gathers the fruit of heaven in our life here and shares them with others here with the benefit of laying away even more in the New Jerusalem!

Artwork by Ducan Long