WHERE WE HAVE COME

'For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to th esprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:18-24, NASB )

Devotion 6 of 13 THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM

Scripture is not redundant in this expression. We have come to "the city of the living God," AND to the "heavenly Jerusalem" as well! The term "heavenly Jerusalem" emphasizes the LOCATION of the society, while "city of the living God" underscores its chief OCCUPANT This city is located above the course of this world, and those who enter it escape the "pollutions of the world" to do so (2 Pet 2:20). Those dwelling in this city are heavenly minded. They have received a "heavenly calling" (Heb 3:1), and have been seated in "heavenly places" (Eph 2:6). They have "tasted of the heavenly gift" (Heb 6:4), and participate in "the heavenly kingdom" (2 Tim 4:18). Heavenly traits adorn this glorious city, and those within it delight in that adornment. I have often lamented the lack of heavenly mindedness in the contemporary church. It indicates a state of at-homeness in this world that ultimately leads to condemnation. In Christ we are delivered "from this present evil world" (Gal 1:4). As such, no provision is made for remaining an integral part of the world's "course." To be a friend of the world constitutes one "THE enemy of God" (James 4:4). This city--the "heavenly Jerusalem"-- is the "mother" of all that are in the Son. As it is written, "But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all" (Gal 4:26). Drawn by heavenly influences, we came into citizenship in this city by believing and obeying the Gospel. This is involved in the experience mentioned in Hebrews the sixth chapter; "And have tasted . . . the powers of the world to come" (Heb 6:5). The drawing power of the "world to come" is experienced through the Gospel. As the good news is sounded, an awareness of Divine provision begins to envelop the soul. The attractiveness of the world wanes, and we are conceived by the word of truth (James 1:18). Our habitation is a heavenly one. A perception of the "heavenly Jerusalem" will bring a sure end to the love of the world, with all of its delusions. Make no mistake about this; this is the city to which we "we ARE come." No one that is born again fails to come here, and all who fail to come here are not born again. PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you for making heaven prominent in my life. I have a great respect for earthly Jerusalem, and for the great things You have accomplished there. But my greatest respect and love is for the "heavenly Jerusalem," to which I am come by Your grace. Thank You, In Jesus' name!

-- TOMORROW: AN INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS --