THE SETTING OF OUR SPIRITUAL LOCATION IN CHRIST - PART 2

Today we are to continue with the introduction made by the writer of Hebrews' Epistles regarding our spiritual location in Christ. When you come to Christ, you arrive at Zion. The introduction takes place because it grants us the ability to walk with God and have direct access to His presence anytime and any day. In other words, our destiny in Christ is such a glorious one because of the uncommon privileges we have. These privileges made our stand in Christ superior to the old covenant of Mount Sinai, where God's presence was displayed as unapproachable, by fearful signs and dire warnings, fire and sacrifices. Now the barrier has been removed by Christ and we have absolute confidence in accessing God's presence.

Reference: Hebrews 12:22-24 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) 'But rather, you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering, And to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to the God Who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect, And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].'

In part one of this topic, introduction and references to the city of God, angels, Christian citizens, festal gathering and celebrations, the church of the first born and more were made, which shows that the new covenant that brought us salvation, offers something better or great privileges beyond animal rituals and earthly need. We have and enjoy great benefits and advantage due to salvation.

The seventh introduction is 'and to God, who is the judge of all'. As a Zionite, you've already received the verdict, the judgement, and you are now justified in Christ. Now God is for you. He not just on your side, He's made you a fellow judge. The Bible says, 'Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!' (1 Corinthians 6:2-3). What a privilege we have in Zion!

The eighth introduction is 'and to the spirits of the righteous who have been made perfect'. These are the redeemed already in heaven who lived before us and now they've got into a spiritual location where their spirits were made perfect . They have joined the rank of the perfected and so they are just men made perfect. To be 'made perfect' means to be fully grown and developed. Its the idea of being whole, mature and complete. Their warfare on earth is accomplished and they have attained the rest of God. Two of these just men made perfect in spirits appeared on the mountain of transfiguration. They were Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. There Jesus was transfigured before His three disciples that accompanied Him to the mountain. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (see Matthew 17:1-9).

The ninth introduction is, 'and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant'. The word 'mediator' is from the Greek term 'mesitē', which literally means someone who goes between two parties to resolve a dispute. In modern English, we might call this person an arbitrator. Through Jesus, we access, approach and enjoy the company of the Judge of all - God. The tenth introduction is, 'and to the sprinkled blood'. The blood shed by Christ on earth for atonement is conceived as carried by Him with Himself into the holy place on high. Hebrews 9:12 says, 'He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.' It is the blood of sprinkling for effectual cleansing. And this blood speaks better things than the blood of Abel, because it speaks only of reconciliation and peace. Glory to God!

The old covenant transactions cannot in anyway be compared to the glorious destiny offered to us in Christ. We belong to Zion and a 'kingdom that cannot be shaken', and our life on earth ought to reflect such kingdom lifestyle.

Exuberant Declaration: I belong to Zion, an atmosphere radiant with divine light and crowned with the city of God. My spiritual environment is composed of myriad of angels and a society of saints who have been justified as the pure in heart, to function in righteousness. Therefore, I live true to my new place and nature in Christ and I walk fully in ordinances of the glorious gospel. Hallelujah!