Expressions of Faith. Hebrews Ch 12. A View of Heaven
Judaism has from the Torah itself always spoken of a life following this one. The Torah speaks about what seems to be a physical place, called Sheol, to which one "goes down" following this life. A variety of different passages indicate that Sheol was probably thought of as located in the center of the earth, although it is never formally described. What is clear is that this was a well-known concept amongst the ancient Israelites.
It was not until the Pharisees (c. 100 B.C.E.) that the notion of a spiritual life after death developed in any meaningful way in Jewish thought. The Pharisees, who were the forerunners of the rabbis, taught that when the Torah spoke of reward for following God's ways, the reward would be forthcoming in an afterlife, Olam Ha-Ba (world to come), as they called it.
Reform Judaism, while not taking any "official" position on the matter, has, for the most part, ignored the question, and tended towards the belief that there is no such thing. The attitude of Judaism might best be summed up as "We really do not know, but if there is a life after this one, and a reward for what we do, then surely it will be dependent upon the kind of life we have lived - therefore, let us strive to follow God's path for us as closely and as enthusiastically as possible, for then we will surely know all manner of rewards, especially the one of seeing a world that is a better place for our efforts."
As explained above, the concept of heaven is of Christian origin. I suspect that's why today's Scripture passage was included by the writer of Hebrews
No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
https://reformjudaism.org/judaism-what-believed-happen-someone-after-they-die
As explained above, the concept of heaven is of Christian origin. I suspect that's why today's Scripture passage was included by the writer of Hebrews
No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
Hebrews 12:22-24
A View of Heaven
Pearly gates.
Saint Peter.
Streets of gold.
Halos and harps.
Earthly descriptions of heaven are stereotyped and limited in scope. This passage offers a different view. Or, maybe it focuses on a much different view that’s more appropriate.
V22. Living God – not a mental or stone fabrication. Joyful angels – lots of them!
V23. The city is exclusive to the firstborn children of God, those saved by the blood sacrifice of Jesus.
The name of each firstborn is recorded there – no posers allowed!
Along with God, the perfect souls of the righteous wait for you.
V24. Jesus is there.
Next Expressions of Faith: Entertaining Angels
My website is: www.crdowning.com
I'd appreciate your feedback as a comment on Blogger!
Comments
Post a Comment