WHERE WE ARE 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 the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:18-24, NASB )

Devotion 10 of 13 SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT

The society to which we are come is vast. The angels cannot be numbered, and "we are come" to them! We are also come to an incalculable number of redeemed spirits. These are the noblest of our race--"spirits." They are the most elevated of humanity--"just men." Consider them well; they are the most advanced of redeemed men--"made perfect." These are the souls that have passed through the trials of earthly life before us. They have already fought the fight, kept the faith, and finished their course. They are no longer in the field of battle, but have "entered into rest" in the consummate sense. How blessed is this group, and we "are come" to them! Representatives from this number met with Jesus on the Mount of transfiguration (Matt 17:1ff). Some of them were raised from the dead when Jesus died, "and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many" (Matt 27:52). Lazarus, oppressed by poverty and sickness in this world, rests sweetly among this number (Luke 16:20ff). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are included in this gathering. God is still unshamed to be identified with them, being called "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Since He is "not the God of the dead," this testifies of them being alive to this day--and we "are come" to them. The souls of the martyrs stand among "the spirits of just men made perfect." They laid down their lives for the Lord, and now they reside in His joyful presence. Good souls from righteous Abel to Stephen, and down to this very day, stand in this august assembly, dressed in white array. They no longer have flaws, and they are beyond the reach of our "adversary, the devil." Not one of the departed righteous is missing from the number, and no ungodly soul is present. The full effect of this aggregation of perfected souls is not known to us. They presently encircle us--a "great cloud of witnesses." They are examples of the effectiveness and triumph of faith. Surely they urge us on as we struggle in the arena of combat and endure affliction. Perhaps their influence is included in the "powers of the world to come," which the redeemed now "taste" (Heb 6:5). I still recall my journey with many of them! Some of these perfected spirits once personally journeyed with us as pilgrims and strangers. For myself, I recall some of them well. Personal acquaintance with them sharpened my faith and strengthened my hope. I remember their faith, their joy, and their indefatigable spirits. I recall their names with gladness and benefit. A few of them; Grandma Deitz, Carl Ketcherside, Rubye Blakely (my mother), Adanna Blakely (my first wife), Guy Woods, Burton Thurston, Wilford Lown, Eli Blakely, Daisy Burnham, Jim Ranchino, Art Paul, Willis Harrison, Archie Word, and one of my own daughters, Leah Oney. Their names summon a host of joyful memories to my mind--and they are still alive. Death has not, in reality, separated them from us! In Christ, we "are come" to them, and I have no doubt that they assist in some way to sweeten the cup of life. How precious to know we shall again resume our fellowship in the ages to come! How thankful I am to have journeyed with representatives of their number in "this present evil world." It will bless you to take a moment and reflect upon departed believers with whom you once walked. They were gifts from God to you. PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you for the marvelous advantages You have provided those in Christ Jesus. Too, the precious memories associated with graduated brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus continue to bring advantages for the good fight of faith. In Jesus' name, thank You for this abundance!

-- TOMORROW: JESUS, THE MEDIATOR --