Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering. Hebrews 12:22
To be able to travel out of the United States to a foreign country requires a passport, which is the legal document that proves that one is a citizen of the United States. The authorities always check passports when people enter and leave a country. Sometimes a person must also have a visa to be able to travel and stay in a certain country. When traveling it is important to always have possession of one’s passport.
The word “instead” is a transition word indicating that what is about to follow in the next few sentences is in contrast to what has just been shared in the previous sentences. The contrast is between the blazing fire, darkness, gloom, and storm of Mount Sinai with Mount Zion, heavenly Jerusalem, and myriads of angels. When we accept Jesus as Lord, we become children of God and citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. As believers, we become citizens of heaven. The connotation of the word used here is that this citizenship is something that is obtained immediately and is also to be obtained in the future.
Challenge: Are you a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem? Thank God that just as you must have a passport to prove you are a citizen of the United States, your belief in Jesus Christ is your passport to prove you are a citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem where there will be hosts of angels and a festive gathering to praise and worship God.