V. 23.— To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. The firstborn of Israel were sanctified, Exodus 13:2, and the Levites taken in place of them to minister in the sanctuary. The congregation of Israel was an emblem of the general assembly and church of the firstborn, the true Israel, the righteous nation that keepeth the truth. It was a grand sight to behold all Israel assembled before God at Sinai, Israel is called the firstborn. Exodus 4:22. The genealogies of the different tribes in Israel were carefully kept, as emblems of the Lamb’ s book of life. Isaiah 4:3. God the judge of all— He is revealed as such in his Son. God appeared at Sinai as the God of Israel, Exodus 20:2; 2 Corinthians 5:10, and as such believers have access unto him. At Sinai everything was calculated to alarm, but in Christ God has revealed himself to all his people as love. Perfect—1 Peter 5:10.— The people of God are not made perfect till the soul and body are reunited, but life and immortality are brought to light. The resurrection is exhibited in the resurrection of Christ, and therefore we are said to have come to the spirits of just men made perfect; behold them clothed with their spiritual bodies, the house which is from heaven.