Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
These cross references all relate to the idea of Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the gathering of angels in festal gathering. They emphasize the importance of this place as a spiritual and heavenly destination, as well as a place of joy and celebration. They also emphasize the idea of a heavenly citizenship, and the hope of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Finally, they point to the Lamb of God, who stands on Mount Zion and who is the source of joy, gladness, and everlasting life.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Psalm 48:2: beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. | Both passages refer to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, and the heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrews 12:22 speaks of the joy of gathering with innumerable angels in the heavenly Jerusalem. Psalm 48:2 describes the beauty of Mount Zion and the city of the great King. This passage paints a picture of the joy of being in the presence of God in the heavenly city. |
| Isaiah 51:11: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. | Both passages refer to Zion, which is the hill in Jerusalem where the Temple of the Lord was located. Hebrews 12:22 speaks of believers coming to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. Isaiah 51:11 speaks of the ransomed of the Lord returning to Zion with singing and joy, and sorrow and sighing fleeing away. Both passages are referencing the joy and hope of the Lord's people in gathering to Zion. |
| Galatians 4:26: But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. | Both passages refer to the city of Jerusalem; however, the focus of each passage is different. Hebrews 12:22 speaks of the heavenly Jerusalem, which is a metaphor for the presence of God and the gathering of angels. Galatians 4:26 speaks of the Jerusalem above, which is a metaphor for the freedom of believers in Christ and the spiritual motherhood of the Church. |
| Philippians 3:20: But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, | Both passages emphasize the heavenly nature of our citizenship as believers. Hebrews 12:22 speaks of the heavenly Jerusalem and the angels in festal gathering, emphasizing the heavenly nature of the gathering. Philippians 3:20 speaks of our citizenship being in heaven and that we await a Savior from there, further emphasizing the heavenly nature of our citizenship. |
| Revelation 14:1: Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. | Both passages refer to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the Lamb. Hebrews 12:22 describes a gathering of innumerable angels in a festive atmosphere, while Revelation 14:1 states that the Lamb is standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 people whose foreheads are marked with His name and His Father's name. |
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your love and mercy, and for bringing us to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. We praise You for all the angels in festal gathering and for the joy of all the earth that exists in this place.
We thank You for the freedom and joy that comes from being citizens of heaven, and for the hope of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who stands on Mount Zion.
We pray that You would fill us with gladness and joy and that sorrow and sighing would flee away. Help us to always remember that we are Your children and that You are our loving Father.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.