Devotionals by Raul Ries

THURSDAY May 21, 2026

The Heavenly Jerusalem

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels....
Hebrews 12:22

What was Paul explaining to the Hebrew believers in these verses? He was making a distinction. The Hebrew believers, having placed their faith in Christ, had come to a holy place––a heavenly Jerusalem. Paul mentioned the earthly city of Jerusalem as well as Mount Zion, where King David's tomb is found today. Psalm 48:1-3 describes the city:

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.

The heavenly Jerusalem is God’s dwelling place, and it has an innumerable company of angels. Did you know that angels rejoice in heaven when one sinner repents? After Jesus taught the Parable of the Lost Coin, He made this statement: “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Can you imagine that?

The heavenly Jerusalem is also our eternal dwelling place––a heavenly refuge. When we were born again of the Holy Spirit, we became citizens of a heavenly Zion! You see, everything has to do with regeneration––being born again. We live a life of faith in Christ––walking in obedience and living in holiness with the hope of a heavenly home. What will it be like living for all eternity in this heavenly city? Revelation 21:3-4 tells us:

“...the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Do not wait! Do not hesitate to become a citizen of heaven. Be the sinner who comes to Christ and causes the angels in heaven to rejoice!

Everybody wants to enjoy heaven after they die, but they don’t want to be heavenly-minded while they live.
~D. L. Moody~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!