The preacher encourages his listeners to stay united in seeking God’s peace and grace. Meanwhile, he describes the people of Israel, overwhelmed with fear, at the base of Mount Sinai. In contrast, the Christian community’s pilgrimage, which begins with baptism, moves toward the mountain where God’s city is located (cf. Ps 48:1-3).
This holy city already has its residents: countless angels forming God’s court and the righteous who are already perfected; also, those making the pilgrimage to God’s mountain have their names written in heaven’s register, for through Christ, they have become sons and daughters of God. The great hope is that we will find the Mediator Priest there, whose blood “cries out louder than Abel’s” (24), demanding justice. Jesus’ blood pleads for forgiveness and is heard by the Universal Judge. This is the grand vision with which the preacher encourages, admonishes, and warns his audience, including us who read this letter today, so that we take our Christian commitment seriously and persevere in our journey, “serving (worshipping) God as he pleases” (28).