… ²³ to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect …

As believers in God’s grace through Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice, we have been called into an exceedingly higher position than anything the law could ever do. Continuing on with the benefits, we discover we have been called to be included in the “general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.” The first term refers to, as the NIV renders it, “joyful assembly” or the NLT puts it, “festal assembly.” The Greek word is only used once in the New Testament, but three times in the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament) where it refers to those festive celebrations of Israel (see Hos 2:11, Ezekiel 46:11). What a joy it is to be part of the body of Christ!

Secondly, The phrase “church of the firstborn” is reminiscent of Colossians 1:18, in reference to Christ, “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” So then, in Christ, we as His body are the “first born” of all God’s creation. As mentioned elsewhere, this involves status and privilege, like the firstborn’s position in the family.

Thirdly, we are “enrolled in heaven,” the “lamb’s book of life” (Rev 13:8, 21:27). God writes in indelible ink, as it were, with the blood of Christ—nothing can blot us out (Rev 3:5).

Most importantly, in Christ, we have come to “God, the Judge of all,” and that is where the deal becomes sweeter. We no longer have to fear the judgment of God, for we have been ushered into His presence, as it were, by the Great High Priest with His perfect offering of Himself. Because the Lord Jesus Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, His sacrifice is a once only, and forever, offering for our sins. The sacrifice has been accepted, the judgment has been passed already.

We have been called into communion with all “the spirits of the righteous made perfect.” We are accepted as righteous among all those who have gone before (Abel, Noah, etc. Hebrews 11:4, 7) and who will come after, the communion of all saints from all time, whom God has declared perfect. Indeed, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (Heb 10:14). How much better can it get than that?

Lord, I am so undeserving, but am so thankful, for being included among those whom You have perfected and made righteous. To You be all the glory!