Hebrews 12:22

“But ye are come unto Mount Sion, etc..] The Alexandrian copy reads, as in (<581218>Hebrews 12:18) “for ye are not come”; which may seem to favour that interpretation of this passage, which refers it to the heavenly state; to which saints, in this present life, are not, as yet, come: but, by “Mount Sion”, and the other names here given, is meant the church of God, under the Gospel dispensation, to which the believing Hebrews were come; in distinction from the legal dispensation, signified by Mount Sinai, from which they were delivered: and this is called Mount Sion, because, like that, it is beloved of God; chosen by him; and is the place of his habitation; here his worship is, and his word…”

“are come--Greek, "have come near unto" (compare Deu 4:11). Not merely, ye shall come, but, ye have already come. Mount Sion--antitypical Sion, the heavenly Jerusalem, of which the spiritual invisible Church (of which the first foundation was laid in literal Zion, Joh 12:15; Pe1 2:6) is now the earnest; and of which the restored literal Jerusalem hereafter shall be the earthly representative, to be succeeded by the everlasting and "new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven" (Rev. 21:2-27; compare Heb 11:10). to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church--The city of God having been mentioned, the mention of its citizens follows. Believers being like the…”

“But ye are come unto Mount Sion - You who are Christians; all who are under the new dispensation. The design is to “contrast” the Christian dispensation with the Jewish. and to show that its excellencies and advantages were far superior to the religion of their fathers. It had more to win the affections; more to elevate the soul; more to inspire with hope. It had less that was terrific and alarming; it appealed less to the fears and more to the tropes of mankind; but still apostasy from this religion could not be less terrible in its consequences than apostasy from the religion of Moses. In the passage before us, the apostle evidently contrasts Sinai with Mount Zion, and means to say that…”

“But ye - Who believe in Christ. Are come - The apostle does not here speak of their coming to the church militant, but of that glorious privilege of New Testament believers, their communion with the church triumphant. But this is far more apparent to the eyes of celestial spirits than to ours which are yet veiled. St. Paul here shows an excellent knowledge of the heavenly economy, worthy of him who had been caught up into the third heaven. To mount Sion - A spiritual mountain. To the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem - All these glorious titles belong to the New Testament church. And to an innumerable company - Including all that are afterwards mentioned. Hebrews 12:23”

“12:22 No: There is a strong contrast between the old and the new covenant. Believers have now come to wonderful Mount Zion, which is closely associated with Jerusalem and represents God’s dwelling place. • heavenly Jerusalem: See study note on 8:5. • The new covenant constitutes a relationship with God by which we experience his presence with joy, peace, and fellowship.”

“ye are come: Psa 2:6, Psa 48:2, Psa 132:13, Psa 132:14; Isa 12:6, Isa 14:32, Isa 28:16, Isa 51:11, Isa 51:16, Isa 59:20; Isa 60:14; Joe 2:32; Rom 11:26; Gal 4:26; Rev 14:1 the city: Heb 13:14; Psa 48:2, Psa 87:3; Mat 5:35; Phi 3:20 \*marg. Rev 3:12, Rev 21:2, Rev 21:10, Rev 22:19 of the: Heb 3:12, Heb 9:14, Heb 10:31; Deu 5:26; Jos 3:10; Kg2 19:4; Psa 42:2, Psa 84:2; Jer 10:10; Dan 6:26; Hos 1:10; Mat 16:16; Rom 9:26; Th1 1:9; Rev 7:2 an innumerable: Deu 33:2; Psa 68:17; Dan 7:10; Jde 1:14; Rev 5:11, Rev 5:12 Hebrews 12:23”