They Will See His Face
Read Hebrews 12:22–24. In what sense have we arrived at the heav­
enly Jerusalem into the presence of God?
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It is argued that believers “have come” to Mount Zion, the heavenly
Jerusalem, through faith. In this sense, their experience anticipates the
future. Thus, the heavenly Jerusalem belongs to the realm of the things
“hoped for” and “not seen” but nevertheless assured to us through faith
(Heb. 11:1).
While true, this is not the whole meaning of this passage. We also
have arrived at Mount Zion, in the very presence of God, through our
representative Jesus (Eph. 2:5, 6; Col. 3:1). Jesus’ ascension is not
a matter of faith, but of fact. It is this historical dimension of Jesus’
ascension that provides compelling force to the exhortation of Hebrews
to hold fast to our confession (Heb. 4:14, Heb. 10:23). Paul says:
“Since . . . we have a great high priest who has passed through the heav-
ens, . . . let us . . . with confidence draw near” (Heb. 4:14, 16, ESV).
Thus, we already have arrived through our Representative and,
therefore, should act accordingly. Through Him, we “have tasted the
heavenly gift . . . and have tasted the goodness of the word of God
and the powers of the age to come” (Heb. 6:4, 5, ESV). The reality of
Jesus’ ascension and ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is “a sure and
steadfast anchor of the soul” (Heb. 6:19, ESV), the guarantee that the
promises have substance and are worthy of confidence (Heb. 7:22). For
us, faith has a historical anchor.
God’s purpose will be fulfilled not only in Jesus, however, but also in
us. We have said that Jesus’ ascension fulfilled the typology of the first
two yearly pilgrimages of Israel, Passover and Pentecost. According to
Hebrews and the book of Revelation, the last pilgrimage, the Feast of
Booths, is yet to be fulfilled. We will celebrate it with Jesus when we are in
the “city . . . whose architect and builder is God,” in the heavenly homeland
(Heb. 11:10, NIV; see also verses 13–16). We will not build booths, but
God’s booth, or tent, will descend from heaven, and we will live with Him
forever (Rev. 7:15–17, Rev. 21:1–4, Rev. 22:1–5, Num. 6:24–26).
How can we learn to make the promise of eternal life real to
ourselves now, amid a world so full of pain and suffering? What
answer can you give to those who say that this all is just a fantasy
to help us feel better about our life here and now?