Having Come to the Heavenly Jerusalem

Series 16
Episode 5
Speaker: Daniel Yu
Message Date: March 20, 2020

Prologue

Brothers and sisters, today’s topic of Treasures for the Soul is Having Come to the Heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrews 12:22 mentions that we “have come to… the heavenly Jerusalem”. This word “come,” or “draw near,” is also mentioned in other chapters of Hebrews. For example, in chapter 4, it says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” (verse 16). In chapter 7, it talks about “Those who draw near to God through Him” (verse 25). In chapter 10, it says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (verse 22). These verses help us understand more concretely what it means to come to the heavenly Jerusalem. The old saints who have fallen asleep have gone to the heavenly Jerusalem. When we draw near to God, our spirits should also be directed towards this place. The whole New Jerusalem is the Most Holy Place. It’s so precious that every day, we can really live in the Most Holy Place.

Message

In Hebrews 12:22, the words “have come” are actually the same word in the original text as in some other chapters. Together, they can help us to understand what the word really means. Let’s read Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then with confidence…” We can compare this to the time when the jews were under the law. Even Moses trembled with fear (Heb. 12:21). But today, the Bible teaches us that we should “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” You can also take a look at Revelation. It says a rainbow is around the throne (Rev 4:3). Verse 16 continues with “…that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Here, the phrase “draw near” is actually the same as “have come” in the original text. So, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” Therefore, Heb. 12:22 carries the meaning of having the attitude to draw near to God and enjoy Him.

Let’s read Heb. 7:25: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Here, in the original text, the phrase “draw near” is the same as “have come” in Heb. 12:22 which we mentioned previously. Therefore, when we come to Mount Zion, we come with the attitude to draw near to God. When we behold the Lord, draw near to Him and live in His grace, these can help us greatly. These verses are related to drawing near to God.

Let’s read Heb. 10:22-23: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” It says, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” So, when we come to Mount Zion, it’s not just about coming to a mountain. In fact, Mount Zion symbolizes grace and what this grace brings forth; it’s an infinite and immense grace. Moreover, we can find love in this grace, and grace comes from love. The word “come” in chapter 12 and the term “draw near” in this chapter are the same words in the original text. Recalling these verses when we draw near to God and worship Him will help us greatly.

Chapter 12:22 says, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…” Many Christians are mistaken: they pray towards the Lord in their hearts. But here it says we have come to New Jerusalem. You may wonder how we can reach the heavenly New Jerusalem, which is so far away. Actually, your mind travels much faster than the speed of light. At a speed of about 186,000 miles per second, light seems to travel really fast. But if the Lord had ascended to heaven with that same speed, it would have taken forever. The Bible tells us to mind the things above and come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. We need to just “come” and we will be there in no time. When I lift my hands, my heart can get there right away. My heart is also living there. We should live in His grace and stand firm in it; don’t wander elsewhere. We should stand in His grace and live in His love. We are already living in it, but still we can come closer. If you have failed, you should come to Him quickly, and pray, “Lord, save me!” When you pray, you have a direction, which is towards New Jerusalem.

Recently, a sister has gone to the Lord. And another sister asked me, “Where is she now?” Sometimes, we are not sure where people go after death. We might just say that they have rested in the Lord’s bosom. But if we understand the Bible, we will know that they are already in New Jerusalem. They have meetings there. (But they don’t need to wear masks!) It’s different from the Old Testament time, when people went to Hades after death. You can tell from Luke 16 that there were two parts in Hades, where people would go after they died. One part was where the rich man went, experiencing thirst and was in fire. On the other hand, Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom, in another part of Hades. However, it’s so precious that ever since the Lord has come, Hades has changed! Now, both Abraham and Lazarus are up above.

We have already come to the heavenly Jerusalem. If we travelled by the speed of light, it would have taken too long. He hears all of our prayers. Our hearts are toward Him. He knows them all. And He responds really fast. Our cell phones are too slow. Even if God came to us at the speed of light to help us, we might have died already before He could reach out to us.

It’s so precious that heaven is not far from us at all. The physical distance is insignificant. To the infinite God, size doesn’t matter, because compared to the infinite God Himself, even the biggest thing, namely, the entire universe, is really really small. Likewise, don’t despise small things. For example, a tiny virus can affect the whole world. Distance is not an issue to the infinite God either. To Him, the distance between us and the planets is nothing. Moreover, we are united with Him. He’s everywhere. Where could I go from His Spirit? (Ps. 139:7) We simply can’t escape from His presence. It’s just whether or not we can enjoy Him, live before Him, and in His presence.

So, we have already come to the heavenly Jerusalem. One day, we will definitely be there with our physical body. But right now, our hearts should live in such a state, in the Most Holy Place. New Jerusalem itself is the Most Holy Place. It has the length, width, and height that are the same, just as the City of New Jerusalem. During the Old Testament times, the Most Holy Place was built according to the truth in heaven. Knowing this, your heart and attitude will be different when you draw near to God.

About this series:

Series 16

We Have Come to Mount Zion and the Heavenly Jerusalem

Message Date: March 20, 2020

We should mind the things above, look upon the Lord in glory, and live to Him. It’s very precious that Hebrews 12:22-24 lets us understand about things in heaven in a concrete way. By the Lord’s salvation, today when we draw near to God, we are not coming to Mount Sinai (which represents the law), but we have come to Mount Zion (which represents grace). To obtain forgiveness of our sins is almost impossible! However, God’s grace is tremendous. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have paid the highest price, endured the greatest pain, and made us see God’s holiness and righteousness. God also manifested His great love. So, by the Lord’s precious blood, our sins are forgiven, and we are united with the Lord forever. God desires us to draw close to Him. Hebrews mentions multiple times “having come” before God, to the throne of grace, and lastly to Mount Zion, that is, the heavenly Jerusalem. When we pray and draw near to God, we have come to the heavenly Jerusalem, and we are living in grace. In heavenly Jerusalem, there are many joyful things: the festal gathering of innumerable angels, the assembly of the firstborn, God the judge of all, the spirits of the righteous made perfect, Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. All these express God Himself, and His heart towards us. The Lord indeed has opened His heart to us through this series of messages, causing us to understand His purpose better.
1

See that the Lord is at the right hand of the Father

2

Coming to Mount Zion (1): the meaning of Mount Sinai

3

Coming to Mount Zion (2): the difficulty in forgiveness of sins

4

Coming to Mount Zion (3): to Live in Grace

5

Having Come to the Heavenly Jerusalem

6

What is in the heavenly Jerusalem (1)?

Table of Contents

01 Introduction of Treasures for the Soul
10.1 The Love Desire in the Depths of Abba and the Lord’s hearts
10.2 Fruit of the Lord’s Crucifixion: Eternal Life
10.3 The Lord Came to Manifest the Father’s Name
10.4 The Father Sent His Only Begotten Son
10.5 Reminders on enjoying heart to heart with the Father
10.6 The Father’s Desire for Me is Forever Steadfast
11.1 The preciousness of the Letter to Philemon
11.2 The most profitable; the most accepted.
11.3 Charge That to My Account
11.4 The Father made the Lord our eternal High Priest by an oath (1)
11.5 The Father made the Lord our eternal High Priest by an oath (2)
11.6 We are the Lord’s darling love
12.1 The Lord’s Words at the Last Supper
12.2 Apart from the Lord, we can do nothing.
12.3 What is true faith?
12.4 Look upon the Lord in glory
11.5 Trust and Peace (1)
12.6 Trust and Peace (2)
16.1 See that the Lord is at the right hand of the Father
16.2 Coming to Mount Zion (1): the meaning of Mount Sinai
16.3 Coming to Mount Zion (2): the difficulty in forgiveness of sins
16.4 Coming to Mount Zion (3): to Live in Grace
16.5 Having Come to the Heavenly Jerusalem
16.6 What is in the heavenly Jerusalem (1)?
1.1 The Most Blessed Generation
1.2 Message from John the Baptist
1.3 Abide in the Lord Always
1.4 Abide in the Lord’s Love at All Times
1.5 The Lord Speaks to Us and Helps Us in Our Hearts
2.1 God’s Greatest Work Starts in Our Hearts
2.2 To Be Heart to Heart with the Lord Throughout the Year
2.3 Our Spirits can Feel God and Have Fellowship with Him
2.4 The Importance of Peace
2.5 Our Spirits Need the Words of God
2.6 Give the Lord Time and Space to Speak in Our Hearts
3.1 The World Needs People Who Deeply Experience God
3.2 Just as His Anointing 
Has Taught You, 
Abide in the Lord
3.3 Be Influenced 
by the Lord Throughout 
this Year
4.1 Enjoying God’s Peace in Your heart
4.2 Let Not Your Hearts be Troubled, Neither Let Them be Afraid.
4.3 How Should Our Spirit Respond to the Lord?
5.1 Our Spirit is Satisfied Only When We Worship God and Deeply Experience Him
5.2 How to Worship God with Our Spirit
5.3 Looking at the Lord with our Inner Eyes
5.4 Our Spirit Needs to Enjoy the Lord Himself
5.5 The Song of Solomon Often Mentions About “Eyes”
5.6 Realize Being Heart to Heart with the Lord in Singing and Worship
6.1 Living a life of union with the Lord in a stable pattern every day
6.2 Enjoying the Lord and not being disturbed
6.3 The Importance of Seeing Him with Our Spiritual Eyes
7.1 Learn to Protect Our Spirits From Virus Prevention
7.2 Our Spirit Can Hear, Think, and See
7.3 How to Live a Life of Faith
7.4 The Importance of the Mind
7.5 David’s Eyes Beheld the Lord Always
8.1 The Lord established with us the eternal love covenant by His blood
8.2 The Lord Treasures the New Covenant and Break-Bread Meeting the Most
8.3 Love Encounters
8.4 Before His Crucifixion, the Lord clearly explained the essence of the blessings of the new covenant: the fourth blessing
8.5 Before His Crucifixion, the Lord clearly explained the essence of the blessings of the new covenant: the first blessing (1)
8.6 Before His Crucifixion, the Lord clearly explained the essence of the blessings of the new covenant: the first blessing (2)
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