Hebrews 12:22 - Forerunner Commentary

Hebrews 12:22

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Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain The Epistle to the Hebrews 12:22:

Hebrews 12:22-24
Excerpted from: The Bread and Wine of Passover

This really is a mouthful. It may be helpful to remember Paul's comment that God gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did (Romans 4:17), because the imagery in these verses blends the present and future together. But my focus is on the phrase, the spirits of just [or, righteous] men made perfect, and its connection to the Covenant. This is what the New Covenant does. Having God as our God, and knowing Him, and having His laws put into our minds and written on our hearts, leads to perfection.

Thus, the blood of the covenant - the blood of the Savior - is a symbol, a pledge, of God's purpose to perfect us. In this also we see that Passover speaks to something that is ongoing, something set in motion by Christ's death. When we are resurrected, immortal beings, we will be completely redeemed from this life in the flesh, not only with new spirit bodies, but more importantly, with a nature just like God's. When we are perfect, then Passover will be fulfilled, which is why Jesus put the fulfillment in the Kingdom.

The blood of the New Covenant is not sprinkled on the outside of those making the covenant, as was done with Israel. Instead, it is ingested. It goes into the innermost parts of the person. It is a covenant that changes us on the inside, nor merely covering us on the outside. Instead of being sealed with the blood of oxen, the New Covenant is sealed with infinitely more precious blood, blood that serves as a testimony of eternal life (see I John 5:6-12), as well as a pledge of God's loyalty to those within the covenant (see I Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 10:29; 12:24).

Hebrews 12:22-24
Excerpted from: Let the Saints be Joyful in Glory!

The phrase in verse 22 "to an innumerable company of angels" as rendered in many translations misses the true meaning of the phrase, which is better translated in the ESV as "to innumerable angels in festal gathering." And this accuracy is very important here because it indicates when this is happening. According to Barnes' Notes,

It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament and refers to angels gathered around God's throne praising Him. It is a special day, probably a holy day.

Articles
Rivet Your Eyes on the Destination
Symbolism and Duality
The Goodness and Severity of God (Part Two)
Who Are the 144,000?
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Seven)
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Seven)

Bible Studies
Biblical Symbolism
Biblical Symbolism (Part Two)
Biblical Symbolism (Part Two)  (2)

Booklets
Guard the Truth!

Sermons
Passover and Hope
The Summertime Soldier and Sunshine Patriotism
Where Is the Beast? (Part 7)
New Covenant Priesthood (Part 1)
The Talking Blood (Part Two)
City of Peace
God's Spiritual Harvest
Passover and New Creation
Wilderness Wandering (Part 3)
Hands That Hang Low
Heavenly Citizenship (Part 2)
Why We Observe Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
Jerusalem and the Plan of Redemption
Lamentations (Part Eight; 1989)
Hebrews 12 and 13: Advice for the End Time
Don't Leave the House!
Among the Few
Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2
Refuge! Refuge! (Part Two)
Wilderness Wandering (Part 3)
The Priesthood of God (Part 2)
Born Again (Part 2)

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