Hebrews 12:18-29 - Unshakable Kingdom
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
The author of Hebrews has been building up to this moment throughout this entire book. We have reached the peak of the mountain so to speak. He has been contrasting the Old and New Covenants time and time again - reminding us about the wonderful work of Jesus on the cross and how His sacrificial death has changed everything.
Today, this all builds up to a climax. We are going to see one final comparison of these two covenants today in light of eternity.
There is an unshakable kingdom that will persist forever.
Those of us gathered here today have been blessed to live in the USA. We are about to celebrate our 250th year of existence as a nation. Although this is a wonderful place to live, we know that one day even our great nation will be shaken. There will come a time when we will cease to exist.
But there is a kingdom that will outlast all other kingdoms. And that kingdom is the kingdom of God.
Let’s jump into our Scripture and read more about this unshakable kingdom…
Read Full Scripture:
For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.
For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”
Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
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.
Prayer
Today were are going to see three important facts about the kingdom of God and discuss how we are to respond to them. The first is…
I. The Kingdom of God Was Once Unapproachable (18-21)
I. The Kingdom of God Was Once Unapproachable (18-21)
For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”
The imagery given in these first four verses is terrifying.
This comes from Exodus 19-20 as well as Deuteronomy 4-5 where Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments and the Law.
Listen to some of these words given as you look at this representative picture:
Blazing fire - which symbolized the holiness, righteousness, and purity of God.
Darkness which showed the mystery of God and how man does not and cannot know everything about Him.
Gloom that reminded man of the judgment coming upon the disobedient.
Tempest (which refers to a violent windstorm) - reminded the people of the wrath of God upon the ungodly and unrighteous.
The sound of the trumpet reminded the people of the kingship and rule of God. Usually when we see trumpets blown in the Scriptures they are blown by angels. This was likely no different. And the trumpet sound continues - louder and louder - reminding the people that the King is there.
And finally we see the voice that is so overpowering that the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. We see Jesus speak with a voice like the roar of many waters in Revelation 1:15. When you hear large ocean waves, or a waterfall, or a rushing river - it is difficult to hear anything else. The powerful and loud roaring waters can be overwhelming to any other sounds. This booming voice reminded the people of the power of God and His Word.
And finally, we see the holiness of God’s presence in that if even a beast touches the mountain it is to be stoned.
The Israelites were overwhelmed by the sheer presence and magnitude of God.
The presence of God was unapproachable. The people were not able to even touch the mountain where God’s presence was. They were reminded of their sinfulness and the holiness of God. The chasm between man’s sinfulness and God’s holiness was on full display.
Prior to even getting to this amazing display of the Lord’s glory and power, the people were reminded of their sinfulness as they were consecrated to God by washing their clothing, abstaining from relations, and performing acts to make them ceremonially clean (Exodus 19:10-15). Even after all of that, they were still unable to bear the presence of God.
Why did God put on this display of His glory?
He wanted to teach the people about Himself. He wanted to remind the people that He was holy, and that they needed to take Him seriously.
Unfortunately, people today have lost this reverence and awe of God.
Most do not understand the holiness of God. Even many within the church have failed to see the overwhelming presence of the Lord.
Although we will see in our next point that God has brought us into a right relationship with Himself through Jesus - the veil has been torn - access to the Father has been provided - the kingdom of God is unapproachable no longer - we must not miss the sheer holiness and greatness of our God.
God is unchanging. His holiness has not diminished.
As Martin Luther once said:
“No fear is the worst fear of all.”
Martin Luther
Friends, we should have a reverential fear and respect for our Lord. We should see His holiness displayed in the Scriptures and bow in honor to our glorious King. We need to realize that the kingdom of God was completely unapproachable before Jesus came.
There was no way to regularly commune with God for mankind. Only those consecrated to the Lord such as the priests could have any close contact with the Lord. And even for them - only one of them could go into His presence once a year into the Holy of Holies - and that but for a short while on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).
As again, this representing picture shows, Mount Sinai was a reminder that there was a boundary that was not to be crossed. It was like getting too close to a lightening storm and being electrocuted. Or getting too close to a volcano and being burned by molten lava. Or having your ear right next to a warning siren that is overwhelming and terrifying.
We were told that even Moses trembled!
Can you feel the intensity that the author has provided for us so far? God’s holiness and power and might are so overwhelming. How could we ever approach such a God? How can we have a relationship with a God Who so much higher than us?
We need to feel the weight of this situation for a while so that we appreciate what comes next. We need to understand just how amazing our Lord and Savior is.
Which brings us to our next point…
Scripture References: Exodus 19-20, Deuteronomy 4-5, Revelation 1:15, Exodus 19:10-15, Leviticus 16
II. The Kingdom of God is Now Unimaginable (22-24)
II. The Kingdom of God is Now Unimaginable (22-24)
Perhaps we could even say that the kingdom of God is now unimaginably more amazing than we could have ever thought. Listen to verses 22-24 again…
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
We have just seen Mount Sinai and the unapproachable holiness of God. But now we are introduced to Mount Zion - the city of the living God - the heavenly Jerusalem.
Whereas the first mountain was terrifying, this mountain is full of joy and festivities. In fact, we told that there is an innumerable amount of angels together in festal gathering! In other words, there is a celebration and party in heaven! This is quite a contrast of mountains!
Mount Zion is called the dwelling place of God. Although God is omnipresent - everywhere at once - we know that He will dwell with man in eternity in heaven.
Let’s further consider some of the contrasts between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion…
Whereas the first mountain could not be touched, the second mountain is a place where man dwells with God.
Whereas the first mountain burned with fire, the second mountain is a place of peace.
Whereas the first mountain had overwhelming trumpet blasts by the angels, the second mountain is full of angels gathered in celebration!
Whereas the first mountain reminded the people of their sin, the second mountain is full of the spirits of the righteous made perfect!
Whereas the first mountain showed a distance between God and man, the second shows a right relationship provided through the blood of Jesus Christ.
How amazing are the truths of these verses!
Look back at verse 23:
and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
There are two references to the people of God given here. The assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven and the spirits of the righteous made perfect.
The assembly of the firstborn is literally translated the church of the firstborn. This likely refers to the New Testament church - you and me. We are the church of the firstborn - namely the church of Jesus Christ - the preeminent One. Though Jesus is eternal, He is referred to as the firstborn to show His primacy over all.
The spirits of the righteous made perfect likely refers to the saved Old Testament saints. These saints were saved by the future work of Jesus Christ on the cross as well. All of the Old Testament sacrifices pointed to Jesus’s work on the cross.
So now we have seen that man is dwelling with God eternally with peace and joy.
Why can this happen? What has changed between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion?
We saw in verse 23 that God is the judge of all.
But then verse 24 tells us some important information for us to understand…
and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant…
Jesus Christ is the mediator of a new and better covenant.
Though God is the judge of all, He has chosen to judge all of those covered by the blood of His Son as righteous because of the wonderful work of Jesus on the cross.
Because Jesus took on human flesh some 2,000 year ago, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead three days later - we can now enjoy eternity with God if only we repent of our sins and trust in Him for salvation.
Though we need to revere Christ - we need not fear God’s punishment. Jesus took that punishment on our behalf. He paid the price for our sins.
Listen to the last half of verse 24…
and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
What is this better word that is spoken by the blood of Christ compared to the blood of Abel?
Well let’s consider the blood of Abel first.
In Genesis 4, the sons of Adam and Eve - namely Cain and Abel - bring their sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord accepts Abel’s offering but rejects Cain’s offering. Cain, is enraged against his brother and commits the first murder in the history of mankind. When the Lord confronts Cain, listen to God’s response to him…
And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.
What was Abel’s blood crying out for? Vengeance - judgment.
Now let’s compare that to the blood of Jesus? What does Jesus cry out on the cross right before He takes His last breath?
John 19:30 tells us that Jesus said - “It is finished.”
What is finished? The payment for sin. Jesus has provided all that was needed for salvation through His work on the cross for the sins of the world - namely all of those who would repent and turn to Him.
Consider the contrast between these two men’s blood…
Whereas Abel’s blood cried out for judgment, Jesus’s blood declared justification.
Whereas Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance - Jesus’s blood declared victory.
Whereas Abel’s blood cried out in fault-finding - Jesus’s blood declared forgiveness.
My friends, aren’t you glad that the blood of Jesus speaks a better word!
Jesus Christ is the mediator of a new and better covenant. He has provided a way so that we can live in peace with God. Because of what He did on the cross we can approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). We can approach God knowing that we are not condemned (Romans 8:1). We can live in freedom from sin and the penalty that we deserved for it because of Christ’s great work on the cross.
This amazingly abundant life is available now and forever for those who repent and trust in Jesus Christ!
Have you done that? Are you covered by the blood of Jesus? Have you repented of your sins and trusted in Jesus? Is your name written in the Lambs book of life?
In verse 23, the author mentions those who are enrolled in heaven. Are you enrolled? Is your name in the book of life?
Revelation 20:15 gives a serious warning to those who are not believers…
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
This concept is given many times in the Bible - the book of life - or the Lamb’s book of life - see your handout for many of these references (Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 20:15, 21:27, 22:19; Philippians 4:3, Luke 10:20, Psalm 69:28, Daniel 12:1, Malachi 3:16, Exodus 32:32-33, Psalm 69:27-28)
For those who are not saved, eternity apart from God in a real place called hell is what lies ahead.
The God of wrath and power described in our first point will judge all unbelievers with righteous and just judgment. Every sin will be paid for by unbelievers for all eternity.
But you don’t have to experience this judgment. Although God is just, holy, wrathful, and righteous - He is also loving, kind, merciful, and gracious. The Scriptures tell us that He desires all to come to a saving knowledge of Him - He desires that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Ezekiel 33:11 tells us that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires that they turn and live.
If you have not repented and trusted in Jesus, may His kindness bring you toward repentance. Yes, there is judgment coming if you do not. But may it be His loving kindness that brings you to Him. Though being completely holy, He took on your sin on the cross so that you could live with Him forever! As John 15:13 states:
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
And that is exactly what Jesus did for you. Be sure that you don’t leave this place without being sure that you are heading to eternity with Christ.
For us who have already come to Christ for salvation - may we thank Him for His loving kindness and look forward to the New Jersualem - namely heaven - described in Revelation 21.
It is a beautiful place. There is no more sea or danger. There is only peace and security. Jesus, Himself is our light and there is no need for a sun - because the SON shines His light throughout. We are blessed to dwell with God. He will wipe away every tear.
The beauty described in this new heavenly city is beyond description. The Apostle John, who wrote Revelation, does his best to describe his vision using the imagery he could give. However, it is far greater than anything we have ever seen or experienced.
Because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross - the kingdom of God is no longer unapproachable - is now unimaginably amazing - and finally we come to our final point today…
Scripture References: Genesis 4:10, John 19:30, Hebrews 4:16, Romans 8:1, Book of Life (Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 20:15, 21:27, 22:19; Philippians 4:3, Luke 10:20, Psalm 69:28, Daniel 12:1, Malachi 3:16, Exodus 32:32-33, Psalm 69:27-28), 2 Peter 3:9, Ezekiel 33:11, John 15:13
III. The Kingdom of God is Forever Unavoidable (25-29)
III. The Kingdom of God is Forever Unavoidable (25-29)
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.
Now the author goes from the positive of the Gospel to the negative that awaits those who reject it. He focuses back on that first mountain - when there was no sacrifice available that completely atoned for sins.
Verse 25 starts off with ‘see that’ - which in the original Greek means to ‘beware of’ or ‘watch out for.’ It indicates a negative consequence for disobeying the warning that follows. What is this warning?
Do not refuse Him Who is speaking. If Israel faced punishment in their disobedience on earth, how much more will eternal punishment be sure for those who refuse to submit to Christ?
The Lord God is speaking through Christ here - warning all to repent and turn Jesus Christ for salvation.
If the people of Israel could not escape the judgment of God while on earth, how will anyone escape His eternal judgment from His throne in heaven?
Continuing to verses 26-27…
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.
Although His voice shook the earth at Sinai, His voice will shake the heavens in the end.
The author is quoting from Haggai 2:6-7 and speaking of the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is a coming period of judgment on the ungodly and blessing on those who are in Christ. It is a time blessing for the righteous and terror for the unrighteous.
At that time, God will uncreate this world and recreate it in perfection. All that has been marred by the sin of mankind will be uncreated and refined as going through a fire. The kingdoms of this world will all be shaken - they will come crumbling down. No nation will stand forever.
There is only one kingdom that will never be shaken - and that is the kingdom of God.
Theologian George Guthrie gives a nice illustration of this shaking…
Now imagine that I had a marble here, and I took mud, and I packed around that marble making a big dirt clod that was very hard. And maybe I would let it bake out in the sun for a while. Imagine then, that I let some kids play with this, and they were shaking it and shaking it. And gradually all the pieces of dirt would fall away, drop away, crack, break off of that marble until just that marble in the center was left. The author says that there is coming a day when the physical universe—this physical reality that Christ put in place—there is coming a day when this physical reality is going to be shaken to a point that it will no longer remain as it is.
Only the kingdom of God is going to remain.
This beautifully illustrates the understanding that everything we see is only temporary. Although so many live for the things of this world - the desires of the flesh - we must be reminded that everything we see with our eyes will be uncreated one day. Like clay falling off around the marble, everything we see today will fall away. However, what is in store for us in heaven far surpasses the things of this earth.
Don’t be captivated by the things of this earth. Be captivated by the beauty and goodness of our Savior.
Don’t live for the present - live for your eternal future.
As I stated in one of my sermons in Luke as a quip toward a popular, yet heretical, book:
Don’t live your best life now - live your best life later!
Moving to our last two verses for today…
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.
Friends, let us be grateful for our heavenly blessing. Let us worship our Lord and Savior and revere Him and show Him the awe and praise due to Him.
Do not regard the Lord lightly. Do not neglect Him. Respect Him. Love Him. Worship Him.
The last verse of this sections tells us that our God is a consuming fire. This is yet another quote from the Old Testament coming from Deuteronomy 4:24:
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Friends, God is holy. He is just, and He will judge all of those who refuse to bow their knees to Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 states:
… when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Listen to the difficulty of this verse. He came the first time as a Lamb - but when He returns, He returns as a Lion.
Jonathan Edwards, in his famous 1741 sermon entitled ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,’ gave the following vivid and intense imagery of hell and the divine wrath of God and a call to fall upon the mercy of Christ. I would highly suggest going online and reading it or listening to someone preach this incredibly difficult sermon… I would ask that each of you close your eyes and envision the imagery Edwards provides…
Speaking of Satan and the demons, Edwards says…
“The devils watch them ... like greedy hungry lions that see their prey, and expect to have it, but are for the present kept back; if God should withdraw his hand by which they are restrained, they would in one moment fly upon their poor souls.”
Speaking of those who refuse to repent and are lost, Edwards warns…
The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked; his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire ... you are ten thousand times so abominable in his eyes, as the most hateful and venomous serpent is in ours.
And there is no other reason to be given, why you have not dropped into hell since you arose in the morning, but that God’s hand has held you up. There is no other reason to be given why you have not gone to hell, since you have sat here in the house of God, provoking his pure eyes by your sinful wicked manner of attending his solemn worship.
You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any Mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment…
But Edwards ends with a call to fall upon the mercy of Christ…
And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has flung the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the door calling ... to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him and pressing into the Kingdom of God ... To see so many others feasting, while you are pining and perishing! To see so many rejoicing and singing for joy of heart, while you have cause to mourn for sorrow of heart and howl for vexation of spirit!
Edwards had quite a way with words, didn’t he?
Brothers and sisters - hear these words of the late Jonathan Edwards and fall upon the mercy of Christ. If you are not saved - may today be the day of salvation for you. The kingdom of God is unavoidable. You will either be a part of that kingdom of you will be judged by the God of that kingdom - forever cast out into the outer darkness called hell.
Trust in our gracious Lord who offers eternal life through Jesus Christ. Repent and be saved.
Scripture References: Haggai 2:6-7, Deuteronomy 4:24, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
Conclusion:
As we begin to come to a close…
I pray with exceeding earnestness that if you are not saved - that you come to Christ in salvation today.
However, I also pray hard for all who are saved here to hear a message like this and respond in a couple of ways.
First - be eternally grateful that Christ has given us eternal life and peace with God. Be grateful for our ability to approach God without condemnation.
Don’t miss that magnitude of the Gospel.
Second - have a heart of compassion and mercy and grace to the lost. Be willing to share the good news of the Gospel to those who are perishing - those who hang over the pit of hell by a thread - only moments from eternal punishment.
And finally again - for those who have not repented and trusted in Christ for salvation - today is the day of salvation. Don’t waste another moment.
Trust in Christ and be saved.
