Hebrews 12:25-29

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

for our God is a consuming fire

V25 Those who reject His voice as it now speaks from heaven in the gospel are more responsible than those who broke the law. Escape is impossible.

V26 Reference: Haggai 2:6 “For this is what the Lord of armies says: ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.”

What is the purpose of the shaking?

To move our focus from the physical to the spiritual. Not just our focus, but at the time of the great shaking we will move into the spiritual realm of eternity.

God's power will eliminate all that is temporary and replace it with those things which are eternal.

This cataclysmic event will explode the myth that what we can see and touch and handle is real and that unseen things are unreal. When God ends the sifting and shaking process, only that which is real will remain. Those who were occupied with the tangible, visible ritualism of Judaism were clinging to things that could and would be shaken.

This coming shaking will culminate in the great judgments described in Daniel and Revelation. The earth and heaven will flee away and be replaced by the new heavens and the new earth.

Isa 65:17 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.

Isa 66:22 "For just as the new heavens and the new earth Which I make will endure before Me," declares the LORD, "So your offspring and your name will endure.”

2 Peter 3:13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.

V28…What is the kingdom which cannot be shaken?

Kingdom which cannot be shaken - Emphasis on stability permeates Hebrews: Hebrews 2:2, 3:6, 3:14, 6:19, 9:17, 10:23

Hold tightly to what is eternal and loosely to what is temporal.

V28 Our Response *Gratitude *Service *Worship*

Hebrews 12:29 “for our God is a consuming fire.”

GOD "IS," NOT "WAS," A CONSUMING FIRE

God’s love is just such a fire, it destroys what it cannot purify, but purifies what it cannot destroy.

In Jesus we have a relationship that cannot be destroyed…Romans 8:38-39

Job 23:10 “But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

God's holiness reveals what is good by consuming what is evil.

On Him Almighty vengeance fell, Which would have sunk a world to hell. He bore it for a chosen race, And thus becomes our Hiding Place.