The document compares the view of God under the Old Covenant to the view under the New Covenant established by Jesus' resurrection. It describes how people saw God under the Old Covenant as frightening and punishing, revealed through a volcano, darkness and trumpet blasts. However, it says believers now come to Mount Zion and have access to God through Jesus as the mediator, and to heaven, angels and other Christians rather than fear and judgment. The resurrection opened heaven and established a new relationship with God.

1. Hebrews 12:18-25a HEAVEN OPENS: IT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY

2. The resurrection was confusing to the disciples of Jesus! What happened? What did it mean?

3. PAINT A PICTURE OF GOD FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A HEBREW, 1500 B.C. That view of God (Old Covenant) bleeds over into the common view of God. ● Booming Voice ● Big Fist ● Mountain on fire ● Trumpet blast ● Darkness, gloom and storm ● Frightening voice from a non-resident Creator ● Terrifying sight ● Commands which, when violated, resulted in death ● Judgment & punishment by the religious establishment

4. Hebrews 12:18-25a (Message Translation) 18-21 Unlike your ancestors, you didn't come to Mount Sinai—all that volcanic blaze and earthshaking rumble—to hear God speak. The earsplitting words and soul-shaking message terrified them and they begged him to stop. When they heard the words—"If an animal touches the Mountain, it's as good as dead"—they were afraid to move. Even Moses was terrified.

5. Hebrews 12:18-25a (Message Translation) 22-25a No, that's not your experience at all. You've come to Mount Zion, the city where the living God resides. The invisible Jerusalem is populated by throngs of festive angels and Christian citizens. It is the city where God is Judge, with judgments that make us just. You've come to Jesus, who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the Mediator of this covenant. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel's—a homicide that cried out for vengeance—became a proclamation of grace. So don't turn a deaf ear to these gracious words.

6. NOW PAINT A PICTURE GOD’S KINGDOM Would it look like this?

7. “ The Resurrection” is a massive painting by Robert Clark that shows heaven’s opening on Easter morning!

8. In 2000 CBS aired the Jesus Series. But they censored the ending. The ending of this clip -Jesus with the children- was censored by CBS. CBS felt that viewers would be offended to see Jesus in the world today setting up his kingdom. The part cut comes after the window scene

9. TODAY WE CELEBRATE EASTER! THE DAY GOD’S KINGDOM WAS OPEN TO YOU.

10. O God! Thank you for this new day. This new way of relating to you. Thank you for opening heaven to me. Because I am a sinner whose only hope is through Jesus, my redeemer, I am even more thankful for your awesome love and grace this Easter day.

14. Following his resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples in the same room as the last Supper. Suddenly communion with God took on new meaning!

15. Remembering all what Easter is all about!

16. I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I choose to follow Jesus as my Lord and trust Him as my Savior.

18. A gift of thanks.

20. THE BREATH TAKING MEANING OF EASTER The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy Hebrews 12:18-25a (TNIV)

21. Hebrews 12:18-21 (TNIV) 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death." 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."

22. Hebrews 12:22-24 (TNIV) 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, ● to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. ● You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ● 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. ● You have come to God, the Judge of all, ● to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ● 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, ● and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

23. PRAYER & PRAISE

25. This Easter remember that as you go back to your everyday routines that our resurrected Lord goes with you in all that you do. And that heaven is open to you.

26. O God! Thank you for this new day. This new way of relating to you. Thank you for opening heaven to me. Because I am a sinner whose only hope is through Jesus, my redeemer, I am even more thankful for your awesome love and grace this Easter day.

27. Go and bless others. Because, God can do anything, far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request through you toward others.