The contrast between the Old Testament and the New Testament is summarized in the closing verses of Hebrews 12. The writer presents a listing of the events which happened at Mount Sinai where the Old Testament was given. He then gives a second list which stands in marked contrast to the first list. The lists are below with my comments in italics.
The Jews Came To
· Physical Mount Sinai that might be touched—The OT was based in many ways on the physical aspects of Judaism. It is called fleshly and carnal (Heb. 9:10).
· A mount that burned with fire—The presence of God was manifested in physical ways.
· Blackness, darkness and tempest—It is hard for us to imagine what an awesome sight this must have been.
· A sound of a trumpet—The sound of a trumpet startles and captivates the attention of those who hear it.
· A voice of words spoken to them—The Bible stresses the importance of words as a means of God revealing Himself.
· A holy place, so holy that a beast who touched the mountain died—the presence of God is holy and must be revered.
· A terrifying sight that made men tremble—Even Moses.
Christians Have Come To
· Mount Zion—The OT prophesied that His new kingdom would begin at Jerusalem and it did (Isa. 2:2-4; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:1-2).
· The city of the living God—This is far more than the literal city of Jerusalem, see next words.
· The heavenly Jerusalem—Old Jerusalem was vital to Judaism, but our city is not physical, it is heavenly.
· An unnumerable company of angels—It was a heavenly host that announced His coming, and they watched as God’s eternal plan unfolded (1 Pet. 1:12; Luke 15:7, 10).
· The general assembly and the church of the firstborn—Israel is no longer the firstborn (Ex. 4:22), but members of the church are now His firstborn (firstborn here is plural).
· The church whose members’ names are written in heaven—Only those whose names are written can enter heaven; you cannot go to heaven if not in the church (Rev. 22:15).
· God, the judge of all—We too are in the presence of God in our holy city, our new Jerusalem
· Those whose souls are made perfect—The OT law made nothing perfect, but all Christians are perfected (Col. 1:28).
· Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament—Moses was the mediator of the OT; our Mediator is the Son of God Himself.
· The blood of Jesus—It was not the blood of bulls and goats, like those offered at Mt Sinai. The blood of Jesus cleanses us.
We must never forget what God has brought to us and brought us to! We are the fulfillment of the eternal plan and mystery of God (Eph. 3:5-6). May God help us to live in such a way as to manifest His glory!