While reading Hebrews 12:22–29 the other day, the language and references began to generate a series of familiar associations. Zion led to angels, angels to judgment, and judgment—almost inevitably—back to Matthew’s Olivet Discourse. From there, Daniel and Paul quickly came into view. Rather than feeling scattered, these connections reinforced a pattern evident across the New Testament, namely, that Scripture clarifies Scripture and in doing so shapes the contours of its own eschatological claims. Hebrews (12:22–29) speaks with striking confidence about where its readers already stand. They have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem. This is not presented as a destination awaiting fulfillment, but as a present covenantal reality. What follows reinforces that point: angels gathered in festal assembly, the assembly of the firstborn, God identified as Judge, and the spirits of the righteous made perfect. The emphasis throughout is ...