The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

9.7. ENDURING FAITH HEEDS ENVISIONED REAL WARNING (Hebrews 12:25-29)

A final warning follows suddenly upon a sublime description of our privileges

Hebrews 12:25 "See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. ..." (NKJV)

An often repeated emphasis of Scripture is, the greater we are privileged - the greater our responsibility. Israel heard God speak from an earthly mountain we hear Him from heaven through His Son who came from heaven and is now in heaven (Hebrews 1:1-2 ).

Hebrews 12:25 "... For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, ..." (NKJV)

Israel actually begged that they might not hear (Exodus 20:19 ). That generation perished in the wilderness (Hebrews 3:17 )

Hebrews 12:25 "... much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven," (NKJV)

To close one's ears to the truth and turn from the deliverance that can only be in Christ - there is no escape. This warning (Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31 ) envisions deliberate rejection of the new covenant, and is not written to be explained away - rather it is to be heeded.

God who spoke from the earthly mountain shook the earth. He speaks from heaven and He has promised to shake not only the earth but also heaven (Hebrews 12:26 ). There is a day of God's wrath coming when everything "made" will be shaken (Isaiah 13:13; Haggai 2:6 ). There is to be a great final upheaval (2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21 ). There is a shaking that is apparent now, of much that was thought to be stable, which will go on until the final shaking.

Hebrews 12:27 "... that the things which cannot be shaken may remain." (NKJV)

The purpose of the shaking is that what cannot be shaken may be fully revealed, which is the kingdom we are receiving.

Hebrews 12:28 "... a kingdom which cannot be shaken, ..." (NKJV)

The redeemed of the Lord are receiving the kingdom of God and that process is finding greater expression in and through the Church. The kingdom alone will remain when the universe itself is shaken. Holy lives, acceptable service, praise and worship, godly fear, becomes us for our God is awesome (Hebrews 12:28 ).

Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire." (KJV)

Israel was warned of this in Deuteronomy 4:24. It is a terrible thing to break covenant with God. Judgment will indeed be a day of terror to all who do. When we are in the battle of the Lord He goes before us as a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 9:3 ). Enduring faith in such a mighty God ensures that we will overcome and be more than conquerors (Psalm 60:12; Romans 8:37 ).

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

Can you give instances of shaking that are going on now that indicate an instability that will go on until the final shaking (Hebrews 12:26 )?
What is the purpose of the shaking (Hebrews 12:27-29 )?