WARNINGS (VI)
We have come to the close of our study of the “warning” passages found in the book of Hebrews. By now we should be able to see that those who are wishing to turn away from their faith in Jesus Christ, even for a little while, will not remain unpunished. The Jewish Christians that this book was written to were contemplating returning to Judaism to escape the persecution that was facing them. We have seen that the author was warning the believers that if they turned away from following Jesus so as not to be persecuted they would be inherently declaring that Jesus Christ was not the Messiah and would be subjugated to the coming wrath. This wrath would ultimately come by the hands of the Roman Empire.
For us today, we aren’t facing a decision to turn back into Judaism but instead we face a decision on if we will return to what the world offers. The persecution of Christians has been going on all around for some time, unfortunately for the American Christians we are now beginning to feel that strain and for some it may be tempting to fold under fire and state that our faith in Jesus Christ is wrong and going against what the Bible says. While the persecution of followers of Jesus will not end until Jesus Christ returns as King, this final “warning” should give some encouragement to hold fast to Jesus Christ and not this world.
“25 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 us from heaven. 26 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.” 27 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. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:25-29
The “warning” in this passage begins in verses 25-26, “25 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 us from heaven. 26 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.” ” We have seen time and time again throughout this study that the Israelites lost their faith in God’s promises for them. We have seen the examples given in Numbers 14 regarding the Promised Land and we know the outcome for doubting God’s promises. The Israelites had refused Him, they did not believe that He could help them conquer the enemies that were in the Promise Land and so that generation was unable to receive His rest. Today, we face the same issues when it comes to persecution. We doubt that God is able to protect us, we believe that unless He removes us completely from the situation then He is not with us. This is far from the truth, if you read the book of Job you will see that God allowed Job to go through the trials, the pain and suffering, and the deaths of his children. All of this was done in an attempt by Satan to prove that Job was not righteous and would blame God for his issues. By the end of the book, you will see that Job was instead blessed for holding to God and received greater than what he had before. This can be said of us today, we are going to face hard times as the persecution of Christians intensifies. However, we will receive greater than what we have here. This promise can be seen in verses 27-28.
” 27 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. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;”
God is going to shake things up. This is done to remove those things that can be shaken, and is a reference to removing the professing “Christian” from the true born-again believer. The Rapture of the Church will be the first global “shake up” that God will do, “for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Yet, this will not be His last, God will separate those at the end of the Tribulation who are believers and those who are just acting, “31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.” Matthew 25:31-33.
God will do whatever it takes to get a person to finally accept Him as their savior. It is why things will get worse, to open the eyes of those who are stubborn. Yet for those who are already professing Christians, we need to stand firm in our faith unless we be rooted out and found to be fake. In the coming days, we will see the true members of the Body of Christ remain while those who only profess to be a part of the Church will drift away. Verse 28 holds the encouragement for Christians to remain steadfast in faith in Jesus Christ despite the trials to come. We will receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, “9 And the Lord will be King over all the earth; on that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one.” Zechariah 14:9. When God comes back to reign physically on earth, all nations will have to recognize Him, “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.” Psalm 86:9 and “10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-22. God’s kingdom is eternal and if we hold to Him, we will be able to enter this Promise Land.
I do want to draw your attention to a comment made in verse 28, “28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;” While we will receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, this does not mean that we should take our relationship with Christ lightly. It has been the underlining theme of all the “warning” passages. Too often we hear people refer to God as, “My main man” or “the big guy upstairs” these “titles” are not giving the God who created heaven and earth the reverence He deserves. God is not your “buddy” He is Holy, a God of Justice and Truth. God is the same today as He was in the Old Testament, this includes a God of wrath who will not tolerate sin. It is why the author ends the “warning” passages with a reminder of who God is. “29 for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29.
I hope this series has been a blessing to you as it has me. As the times get tough know that we have a God who cares for us deeply. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, a person who has asked Jesus to come into your life and save you, I would encourage you to seek Him first now more than ever before. If you are unsure if you are saved or know you are not, we never know how much time we have here on this earth and I would encourage you to seek the Lord and ask Him into your life. If you have questions please reach out to us here at Mill House Ministries. Finally, for those who are saved, now is the time our faith will be tested beyond what we can personally handle, allow God’s strength, peace, and joy to wash over you as we see the day approaching of our blessed hope.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex