Heavenly calling 3:1—The Lord Jesus is described as Apostle and High Priest. As Apostle, He comes from God to man on earth; as High Priest, He goes from man to God in heaven. He came from heaven and went to heaven, calling us there with Him.

Heavenly gift 6:4—This section is a solemn warning against apostasy—falling away. They had “tasted of the heavenly gift,” the gift of the Holy Spirit. They experienced His miracles and power, but this is no guarantee (cf. Jn. 2:23–25). Judas did miracles but was an unbeliever, an apostate—he fell away. But the the writer of the Epistle was persuaded of better things concerning his hearers, things concerning salvation (Heb. 6:9).

Heavenly things 8:5—The things in the Law were but a “shadow of heavenly things.” The tabernacle in the wilderness and sacrifices were “figurative representations of the things in the heavens” (9:23). In Hebrews, there is an emphasis on the superiority and supremacy of Christ over the Old Covenant, an earthly system which was growing old and passing away (8:13). We have a High Priest who has sat down on the “throne of the greatness in the heavens” (8:1)!

Heavenly country 11:16—The Old Testament worthies did not seek a country down here; they were strangers and pilgrims while here, which was a testimony that they were seeking a better one, a heavenly one. What country is important to us? Which one are we seeking and living for?

Heavenly Jerusalem 12:22—Abraham was looking for a “city which has foundations” (11:10); we have no “abiding city” but seek “the coming one” (13:14). The heavenly Jerusalem is our hope, not a city or kingdom on the earth!