These verses allude to the meeting with God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19). This was a terrifying experience and emphasised the barrier between God and man. They were not allowed to approach God, only Moses and Aaron were allowed to do that. We have not come to a God who cannot be reached.
Instead we have come to the true Jerusalem, the true city of God. The old covenant, with the blood of Abel being an example, spoke primarily about judgement. It emphasised sin and the need to eradicate it. The new covenant speaks about myriads of angels praising God joyfully, to the church of the first born, to the God who is still the judge of all, but has also forgiven all who believe in Jesus.
There are two signs of a false gospel that are revealed here. One is if it teaches separation from God. Jesus died to tear apart the veil of separation. We can now approach the living God with boldness. But the other false teaching is to teach a casualness. For the writer also makes it clear that we are to approach with reverence and with awe. The intimacy and awe go together. If we emphasise one at the expense of the other we are going down the wrong road.
No comments:
Post a Comment