Part 1
Please take note that we have come to Mount Zion. Hebrews chapter 4 reads, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,” (Hebrews 4:16) “Draw near” in this verse also means drawing near to God. Hebrews 7:25 uses the same words. It reads, “…those who draw near to God through him…”
Hebrews 10:22 reads, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” This verse also uses “draw near.” Therefore, appearing before God in Mount Zion shows an attitude of drawing near to God. This passage helps us greatly in drawing near to God. It helps us to use our spirit and the truth to draw near to Him. These truths are very precious and inclusive. These are not merely simple statements when it says “innumerable angels,” “the assembly of the firstborn” and “the sprinkled blood.”
Part 2
I’d like to explain to you one by one, because these truths are much treasured and very important. How do you look at the Lord now? When you behold the Lord, you should be able to see much more with your faith, because the scripture has told you in great detail. Heaven is filled with joy. Innumerable angels are in festal gathering. They are celebrating. Should you be rejoicing as well? Should the assembly of the firstborn be joyful? Definitely! You see, the joy of the angels is exceedingly great, beyond our imagination, and no words can describe it.
Part 3
The Lord clearly said, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7) How wonderful it is! How many people repent every day in this world? Throughout the day, a good number of people repent. When it’s nighttime for us, it’s daytime in other parts of the world. Therefore, throughout the day, regardless of whether there are other celebrations, there is a celebration for those who believe in the Lord. The joy in heaven is exceedingly great! Will they ignore a person who returns to the Lord, thinking that it’s just one more person coming to heaven? Who is this person? He is more honourable than the angels. He is one of the firstborn. Surely he is welcomed! If you know the person and you go to heaven before him, won’t you be happy to see him when he arrives? Of course, you will celebrate! Therefore, the joy in heaven will increase whenever a brother or sister sleeps in the Lord. The joy in heaven is immense. Because they know God, everyone would deeply experience God according to the capacity in their spirit. My experiences in drawing near to the Lord during my lifetime are very precious, but when I return to heaven, I believe the preciousness will definitely surpass the sum of my experiences on earth. Nevertheless, our experiences on earth, where we face the enemies and challenges, are much treasured and irreplaceable.
Part 4
Psalm 84 talks about Zion and Jerusalem. Appearing before God in Zion has special meaning. God chose Zion as His eternal resting place, and each one appears before God in Zion. The first and foremost purpose of coming to Zion is to appear before God. We come before God in His mercy and loving-kindness. From these scriptures, we know that the Lord welcomes us the most. Heaven is very inviting. Brothers and sisters, we are most cherished in God’s heart!
Part 5
The conclusion of Hebrews is to bring us to this truth. Hebrews uses “better” or “more excellent” twelve times. This passage is the last mention of “more excellent.” It’s also the last mention of “draw near to God.” We appear before God in Zion. We have come to the most precious place that God prepares for us. He loves us so much that He wants to bring us to this destination, New Jerusalem. This is the joy ahead when the Lord was on the cross. It is also the glory into which God will bring His sons. The utmost importance of this glory is to be face to face with Him, and to deeply enjoy Him. Eternal life is the first thing that the Lord mentioned in His prayer on the night before His crucifixion. This is God’s enjoyment as well as ours. To know Him through experience is very different from just hearing about Him. Even Paul counted everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus in experience.
Part 6
Psalm 84 reads, “…appears before God in Zion.” (Psalm 84:7) When we come to Zion, the most important is to have fellowship with Him, come before Him face to face. This can be considered the utmost of God’s purpose. We need to draw near to Him, experience Him deeply, worship Him, enjoy Him, and have love-fellowship with Him. The greatest blessing is to have love interflow with Him, live in His embrace, and enjoy His many kisses. God’s purpose is for us to be very close to Him. It’s more than a relationship; He wants us to have real experience in our spirit, to have fellowship with Him, love Him, and enjoy Him. When you deeply enjoy Him and His love, you will love Him more. This is the most important. The entire New Jerusalem is surrounded by great glory, and countless love expressions from the Lord. The whole city is a design of His love, manifesting His love in every detail.
Part 7
The most important thing on earth is to draw near to Him. I introduce to you the two “diamond songs” to help you meditate on the scenes. Of course, my songs cannot replace the Bible. But most of my songs illustrate the biblical truth. Singing these songs helps you to remember the truth. You should ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes, so that you could better understand the true meaning of these things, and how precious they are. When you meditate and consider them, you will enjoy even more, thus influencing your attitude towards drawing near to Him. You will feel great joy!
Part 8
There are innumerable angels in the city. They are very happy. How can I not rejoice right now? You should be more joyful than them. Therefore, the truth will affect you. The Lord commands us to rejoice always. He wants us to relish in the fullness of joy. Psalm 16 is an account of the Lord. He says, “…in your presence there is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11) The Lord has the fullest of joy. His joy is beyond words can describe, a glorious joy. He sees many firstborn, who by His precious blood and the anguish of His soul, can come close to Him. No wonder Paul considered being with Christ far better. (Philippians 1:23) The Lord truly enjoys being with us! Drawing near to Him in heaven will be far better than on earth, though we shouldn’t despise the time when we draw near to Him on earth. Today on earth, drawing near to Him is the most important.