Shaken, But Not Stirred!

Hebrews 12:25-29 NET

“Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns from heaven? Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.” Now this phrase “once more” indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain. So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe. For our God is indeed a devouring fire.” Hebrews 12:25-29 NET

The writer of Hebrews presents a powerful and urgent warning about the critical difference between Moses and Jesus. In the time of Moses, disobedience to the law had dire consequences, often resulting in physical death. In stark contrast, Jesus offers us an extraordinary opportunity for redemption that far surpasses anything we could imagine. The stakes have never been higher: if we choose to reject Jesus as our Savior, we risk losing our eternal home with God, our Creator. Receiving  Jesus as savior is not just a decision of convenience; it is a pivotal choice between eternal life and irrevocable loss, which inevitably leads to eternal spiritual death.

The prophet Haggai first uttered these words to Israel in Haggai 2:6, the writer of Hebrews is repurposing the words of this prophecy to convey that God is now going to shake everything that can be shaken, in both heaven and earth, meaning that everything that was once God’s by right and was lost to Him by the rebellion, is now being returning to Him and His glory will be revealed especially in the temple. “I will also shake up all the nations, and they will offer their treasures; then I will fill this temple with glory.” So the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has said. “The silver and gold will be mine,” decrees the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “The future splendor of this temple will be greater than that of former times,” the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared. “And in this place I will give peace,” decrees the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Haggai 2:7-9 NET 

The Lord of heaven’s armies will shake the nations of the earth, prompting them to offer their treasures for the benefit of the temple. Paul powerfully reminds us that the true temple is our very bodies, where God resides and fills us with His magnificent glory. Recognizing that all "silver and gold" truly belong to the Lord reveals the incredible beauty of Christ and His abiding presence within us. This divine presence flourishes as we commit our lives to His purpose of drawing all people to Himself. Ultimately, the greatest treasure is Christ in us—the hope of glory that transforms our lives and inspires us to serve Him out of love for Him.

The writer of Hebrews powerfully evokes the concept of “once more,” highlighting that a significant shaking has already occurred. This earlier upheaval refers to the catastrophic flood during Noah’s time, when everything that could be shaken was indeed shaken. It was akin to a dramatic reboot (or reset) of humanity, with only what was unshakeable—Noah and his family—emerging from the turmoil to carry on and repopulate the earth.

The flood didn’t just change lives; it erased entire cities, nations, and cultures from existence. Established civilizations were utterly decimated, and the earth itself underwent monumental transformations. The sheer force of the water—whether from rapid glacial ice melt or surging underground springs—reshaped geographical land masses and landscapes, leaving a lasting impact that endures to this very day. This historical event is a profound reminder of the power of upheaval and the resilience of what remains steadfast.

"I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too." What does this "once more" signify for our future? Could it mirror the catastrophic devastation of the flood, perhaps leading to the total annihilation of nations, cultures, and civilizations—this time by fire? Scripture assures us that God will not destroy the earth with water again. So, will this shaking manifest as a global phenomenon, affecting all corners of the globe, akin to the flood? Or does it represent the dismantling of the chaos stemming from humanity's flawed attempts to govern itself while disregarding God as the ultimate authority? The prospect of such catastrophic worldwide consequences demands our attention and active participation in this critical conversation.

In the book of Revelation, John emphatically declares, “He who overcomes is the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, who willingly sacrificed Himself on the cross to atone for our sins.” For those who trust Jesus, a profound promise resonates in Revelation 3:5: He will NEVER remove their names from His Book of Life. This unwavering faith in Jesus and His promises not only grants us the priceless gift of eternal life but also elevates us to a remarkable position of authority to serve our King with steadfast grace and loyalty. Service to Him transcends mere obligation; it is an extraordinary privilege and a sacred honor gifted to us as we faithfully dedicate ourselves to His calling in our lives.

The text envisions a breathtaking future glory, a divine presence that God will embrace through His Son, Jesus. In turn, Jesus will reside within us, creating a profound connection. This powerful image reveals the extraordinary reality of God's kingdom on earth, fully realized through His sons and daughters. They will be transformed into living reflections of God's true nature, not in His radiant light and supreme power but in His profound character of love and mercy. This is the compelling promise of a glorious future in which we are invited to participate.

The writer of Hebrews states that “since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks.” Giving thanks is our reasonable form of worship because we have nothing else we could offer to God that He doesn’t already have. When we realize that we are nothing more than a created being with nothing to offer a holy God physically, gratitude becomes much more real and fervent. We can thank God for receiving the gift of salvation and sonship through Jesus. It is this type of worship that is pleasing to God, which carries with it devotion and awe.

First and foremost, our God is fundamentally a God of love—not merely through His actions, but by His very essence. The "shaking" referenced in this scripture is not about an earthquake; instead, it resembles the shaking of a fruit-laden tree, allowing the ripe fruit to fall and be gathered and the spoiled fruit to be discarded. Paul draws a powerful analogy between the character of the Holy Spirit and fruit, showcasing how God works within us and demonstrates His presence through us. Our God is a consuming fire, and this signifies that anything in us that embodies disobedience or chaos will be purged by His mighty power, leading to the manifestation of His character within our lives. The divine fire of God is not a tool for judgment; rather, it is a means of stripping away what can be shaken, cultivating a fruitful and vibrant relationship with Him, a tree that is firm and steadfast, producing fruit that is perfect.

Stephen Barnett