QUESTION: What is the significance in the order observed in Heb. 12:22-24?
ANSWER: There are eight things in all, each being separated by the word "and": (1) the mount; (2) the city; (3) the innumerable company of angels; (4) the Church; (5) God; (6) spirits of just men; (7) Jesus; (8) the blood.
The earthly Zion raised the apostle's thoughts to the heavenly city and to heaven generally, then to its innumerable angelic hosts, and then to the Church enrolled there by the grace of God. God, as judge, naturally introduces the spirits of those faithful ones who had suffered righteously on the earth.
This leads on to the new covenant and its Mediator, who will again establish relationship with God's ancient people, and not only with them, but in virtue of His precious blood (that does not cry for vengeance as did Abel's), with the whole millennial earth. The passage thus speaks of God, Christ, heaven, angels, the Church, the remnant of the Jews, and the redeemed earth.