Introduction “You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest” (Hebrews 12:18). My understanding of this verse before the analysis of the allusions therein prompted me to understand that the apostle Paul was addressing the believers in the church telling them that their faith and relationship with Christ was not touchable. It also prompted me to understand that it was not describable as it exhibits characteristics like a burning fire and a raging tempest. These descriptions further prompt me to think that he implied that they should be afraid and revere this relationship that they have established owing to the qualities that it possesses. Main body The allusions represented in this verse that exist in the Old Testament are representative of the Sinai covenant in Exodus and the covenant reenactment in Deuteronomy. Thus, the words that have been used in the verse, “something that cannot be touched, a blazing fire and darkness, gloom and a tempest” are symbolic of what used to happen in the Old Testament when the Israelites would assemble at Mount Sinai and how the mountain would react by thunder and fire; also symbolic of God’s voice or the wrath of the people. In this verse, however, Paul wants to relay the same message, though the center at which people gather to worship is no longer on the mountain but at the cross. The cross is also representative of Jesus Christ through whom people can establish a covenant with God the Father, just as they would at Mount Sinai in the Old Testament. Similarly, he tries to explain that, just as the Israelites would revere Mount Sinai at which they would hear from God, they are supposed to show the same reverence to the Gospel and listen to it willingly. This way, he is trying to explain that the gospel should be approached with diligence and observed as a greater superior compared to the doctrines of the law. As it is, it is through the gospel that the church and believers will be able to gain a new dispensation. Overall, the writer’s intention is to persuade the Hebrews to heed the words that are spoken by God through Christ Jesus that is on verses Hebrews 1:1 and Hebrews 2:1-4. Further, the use of these allusions tries to create a correlation between the old and the new dispensation, as the symbols apply to show that the old dispensation was characterized by material things and the manifestation of sensible transitory. Notably, the stated qualities of the untouchable are a representation of God as a very inaccessible being, and that his Holiness was very unwelcoming. It further shows that he was an awful majesty, who naturally, men would not be able to get close to. Conclusion In conclusion, following the context in which the verse has been used, Paul tries to show that God has now become very accessible to men through the new dispensation who is Christ Jesus. Nonetheless, analysis of the allusions in regards to the Old Testament and the covenant at Mount Sinai, as well as the phrase, shows that, despite a difference in the two dispensations, there are both benefits and consequences of obeying and not obeying God’s commands. For instance, it’s not only that the smoke from the Sinai that is threatening to consume us, but also that “God is a consuming fire.” Notably, God’s wrath through a consuming fire is not symbolic but real. Work Cited New Revised Standa