1. Hebrews 12:23 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Who are “the firstborn”?

Hebrews 12:23 (ESV)

23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Hebrews 12:23 reads: the assembly (ekklesia) of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.

With firstborn, the author means the beloved people of God and heirs: God chooses them, from everywhere. Their names are written down in heaven: this is how God personally knows us by name, we are not just numbers for him (Luke 10:20). As a citizen of heaven, you are enrolled on earth for a dwelling in heaven (Philippians 3:20). It is similar to a waiting list where you wait until a place becomes available. You look forward to that moment! Jesus has gone ahead of us to heaven, to reserve a nice place for us in his Father’s house with many rooms (John 14:2). When you die, God will bring you home.