Hebrews 12:22

The Spirit now adds the privilege of Christians in the better state to which they have access by the gospel dispensation, Hebrews 12:22; Ye have left those hinderances and disadvantages instanced in before, but are come to these helps for yonr furtherance in holiness; ye have an access to all those most excellent, though invisible, things, by faith, and by it attain them, and are incorporated into them, as they follow. But ye are come unto mount Sion: this is not literally to be understood for the mount on which the city of David was built, for that was as visible and touchable as Mount Sinai, to which it is opposed; but that mount which is higher than the highest, as high as heaven itself, Hebrews 12:25, Hebrews 9:24 1 Thessalonians 3:13; where is the most orderly government of God for holiness, Micah 4:7; whence all good gifts and gospel blessings are conveyed to the church, of which these believers were members, Isaiah 8:18, Isaiah 28:16 59:20 Revelation 14:1. And unto the city of the living God; of which the living God is the Builder and Maker, and wherein he dwelleth, where nothing but life is, and whence Christ's voice giveth life to dead souls, enabling them to live a life of holiness to God, as Psalms 46:4,5 Psalms 48:1,8 87:3 Isaiah 40:14 1 Thessalonians 5:25. To distinguish this from any earthly city or corporation, it is said to be the heavenly Jerusalem, its original, nature, and end being all heavenly; a fruitful place, whence believers are made partakers of the most spiritual influences for holiness; where there is nothing carnal, terrible, deadly, barren, but all causal and productive of holiness issueth thence, Isaiah 42:1:17-19 66:10 1 Thessalonians 17:24 Galatians 4:26 Revelation 3:12, Revelation 21:2,10. And to an innumerable company of angels; in which city are many excellent inhabitants with whom believers are incorporated, and to whom they have relation, as myriads of angels, who are ministering spirits under the gospel, as under the law, full of holiness, power, agility, and endowments, fit for their work and end; who, though for number are thousands and millions of them, Psalms 68:17, Psalms 103:20 104:4 Acts 7:53 Galatians 3:19 Revelation 5:11, yet are all fulfilling their Lord's pleasure in every place, as ordered by him. Their ministration of the law was terrible in flaming fire, but of the gospel, most sweet and gracious, Luke 2:13,14. At Sinai they ministered externally and sensibly, affecting senses; but from Sion they minister spiritually, to hearts, Matthew 4:11 Luke 22:43 Psalms 91:11, resisting evil spirits ministering wickedly. Their ministry little effectual under the law; but under the gospel, saving, Acts 7:53 Hebrews 1:14 Revelation 19:10. Their former ministration temporary and ceasing, but this everlasting, till they bring all their trust into Abraham's bosom, Luke 16:22. They are promoting holiness by God's sending things to us by them, and by their observing the goings and doings of Christians, whether holy or not, 1 Corinthians 11:10, and giving an account of the success of their ministry towards them, as to this end, Matthew 18:10. And the neglect of this means to help our pursuing holiness, will God require, Hebrews 2:2.