Tag: Hebrews 12
God’s Unshakable Kingdom!
Scripture reading for October 29: Hebrews 12
“See that you do not refuse Him Who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him Who warns from heaven. At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken–that is things that have been made–in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:25-29
The writer of Hebrews continually contrasted the Old Covenant of Law with the New Covenant of Grace. The accounts in Scripture of God speaking with Moses and wanting His people to hear His voice and honor Him as a Father are used here as a warning. Those that heard trembled with fear as Moses went up on the fiery mountain. They did not want to hear God. But those hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ are told to listen and obey. Jesus is the final Word from heaven spoken to shake the earth for the final harvest of souls. (Hebrews 1:2) Those who chose to listen in faith enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who refuse to listen will not escape the final shaking when Jesus returns in that their own ‘kingdom’ will come tumbling down.
All created things will be shaken in heaven and on earth. The purpose of the shaking is to remove those things that can be shaken. All that man has made and depended upon for protection will be shaken out. All sin and human pride will be shaken and exposed. All the schemes of man and Satan will come to naught at the revelation of the One Who shakes not only the heavens but the earth. This calls for reverent worship and holy awe. Our God is Himself a consuming Fire. His holiness and shining presence will cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that He is Lord. Those in faith will not be shaken for their kingdom is forever secure!
Have you received the ‘unshakable kingdom’ promised by God to those living by faith? Could others who know you testify of your life of worship and reverence for God? Are you ready for the shaking of the heavens and the earth that is foretold?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus as Your final Word from heaven. Thank You for opening my ears to hear Your voice and respond in faith, drawing me to Jesus. Help me to live my life daily in such a way that others see You through my obedience, worship and joy of eternal life. Amen.
Holiness is key to seeing the Lord!
Scripture reading for October 28th: Hebrews 12
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 12:14-16 “Make every effort to live at peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.”
Being a Christ-follower in a hostile world requires effort and focus. The enemy of our soul, Satan, is always at work to distract or destroy believers. A common tactic is through conflict and the failure to forgive others. Unforgiveness can lead to a bitter root that divides people from each other and ultimately from God. Sexual immorality is another common trap of the flesh that leads to defilement and possible loss of inheritance in God’s kingdom. Esau is mentioned because of his failure to value spiritual inheritance. He lost it through his careless appetite!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers are focused on seeing the Lord when He comes and rely on God’s grace to keep them in holiness. “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure hear, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. . . .Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, O God of Jacob.” (Psalm 24:4,6)