Hebrews 12:22-24
[22] But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
[23] To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
[24] And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
In the previous chapter, we examined what Mount Zion should mean to you. In this chapter, we shall be explaining Hebrew 12:22-24. This passage is the only one that does great justice to the subject of Mount Zion. It explicitly explains some spiritual realities for us in Mount Zion. Prepare your heart as we dive fully into it.
The City Of The Living God
When the Bible calls God “the living God,” it means something specific and powerful. God is not like the stone and wooden idols that other nations worshipped. Those statues could not see, hear, speak, or act. They were dead objects that people foolishly treated as gods, but the God of Mount Zion is completely different. He is fully alive, aware, and active in everything that happens. Think about what makes something alive or dead. A living person breathes, moves, thinks, feels, and responds to what happens around them. A dead person does none of these things. In the same way, the living God breathes life into creation, moves through history, thinks and plans, feels emotions, and responds to His people’s prayers and needs. This is why Mount Zion is called the city of the living God – it is where the truly alive God dwells.
Psalms 121:4
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The living God never sleeps or takes breaks from caring for His people. The psalmist says He “neither slumbers nor sleeps.” While humans get tired and need rest, God stays awake and alert all the time. He constantly watches over His people and stays involved in their daily lives. This makes Mount Zion a place where something is always happening – God is always working, always caring, always moving to help His people.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus made this even clearer when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Through Jesus, people can connect with the living God and receive the life that only He can give. This is not just about living longer on earth, but about having a relationship with God that lasts forever and gives meaning to every day we live. The most amazing proof that God is truly alive is His power over death. Dead gods cannot raise the dead because they have no life in themselves, but the living God has raised people from the dead throughout history, and He promises to raise all His people to eternal life. Death is not the end for those who belong to the living God. It is just a doorway to even greater life in His presence.
Death is not the end for those who belong to the living God. It is just a doorway to even greater life in His presence.
2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Isaiah 61:3
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Living in the city of the living God means having a koinonia relationship with Him, not just following religious rules. The living God wants to talk with His people, listen to their prayers, and be involved in their decisions. He cares about their problems, celebrates their joys, and walks with them through difficult times. This personal relationship is what makes faith in the living God different from any other religion. The city of the living God keeps growing as more people discover this relationship with Him. Just like a living tree keeps growing new branches and leaves, Mount Zion keeps expanding as God draws more people to Himself. This growth happens not because people work hard to make it happen, but because the life of God naturally spreads from person to person as they share what they have experienced. In Mount Zion, God heals every kind of hurt and brokenness. The living God is like the best doctor who can cure any disease, fix any injury, and mend any broken heart. People come to Him wounded by life’s hardships, and He makes them whole again. This healing touches not just individuals but entire communities and nations.
The living God is like the best doctor who can cure any disease, fix any injury, and mend any broken heart. People come to Him wounded by life’s hardships, and He makes them whole again. This healing touches not just individuals but entire communities and nations.
Genesis 1:31
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
The living God is also incredibly creative. He made the whole universe and everything in it, and He keeps creating new things. In Mount Zion, this creativity shows up in beautiful worship, inspiring art, and fresh ways of expressing love and praise to God. People discover gifts and abilities they never knew they had when they connect with the God who created them. Everything needed for a full and meaningful life can be found in the city of the living God. Just like living things need food, water, and the right environment to grow strong, God provides spiritual food, living water, and the perfect atmosphere for His people to become everything He created them to be. No one ever lacks what they truly need when they live in connection with the living God. The life that flows from Mount Zion spreads to others through the people who belong to God. When someone has a real relationship with the living God, that life naturally flows out to touch family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. This is how God’s family keeps growing and how His influence spreads throughout the world.The living God can adapt to meet every person’s unique needs while never changing His character or abandoning His promises. Whether an individual is rich or poor, young or old, from any culture or background, the living God knows how to connect with them personally. Mount Zion welcomes people from everywhere, while helping them all become part of one united family. The living God specializes in changing people’s lives for the better. He takes people who are broken, lost, or trapped in destructive patterns and transforms them into people who are whole, purposeful, and free. Mount Zion is a place of fresh starts and second chances where anyone can begin again no matter what they have done or what has happened to them. When we see Mount Zion as the city of the living God, it changes how we think about the house of God. Instead of trying to follow a set of rules or philosophical ideas, we can have a real relationship with a God who is truly alive and personally involved in our lives. This God hears our prayers, responds to our needs, and works actively on our behalf.