Things That Cannot Be Shaken
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. 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.” 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. 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; for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:25-29
The Lord is always moving toward the climactic moment when this world will be replaced by a new heaven and earth. Toward that end, He strips away whatever is counterfeit and ungodly from nations and individuals. According to the Bible, this process will accelerate as the last days near. God will remove everything unstable so what remains will be the things that cannot be shaken (Heb. 12:27).
Believers have an unshakeable dwelling place. When we first chose to trust in the Savior, we were born into God’s kingdom and given a new safe position referred to as being “in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:11). Outside forces can disrupt neither the kingdom nor the relationship. Even though life will at times entail suffering and tribulation, the followers of the Lord are secure.
For what power can stand against our sovereign Lord Jesus Christ? Everything that exists must submit to Him. Even as wars rage, injustice spreads, and governments fail, He remains in absolute control. People are allowed to exercise wickedness so that the content of their hearts will be revealed, as will their great need for a Savior. Even the most despicable tyrant has the opportunity to repent. But those who refuse grace will be destroyed along with everything else that violates God’s perfect order.
We live in unsettling times. The more conditions worsen, the easier it is to see why Scripture refers to God as a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29). He is burning up all that displeases Him. And He will continue until the only ones who remain are the righteous who stand under the lordship of Christ and await His kingdom here on earth.
Charles Stanley
