Unshakeable

Hebrews 12:25-27 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  27 The words “once more”  indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
 
AT the Transfiguration, the Father spoke to the three disciples, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” (Mark 9:7b) Again, with a mix of New and Old Covenant, Hebrews exhorts the church to obey the Father and to listen to Jesus, so they do not refuse him who speaks. History tells us those who refused God in the 40 years of desert wandering did not escape God’s wrath. Listen to God and be saved. We all have heard that. Are you listening to Jesus now?
   As you consider Jesus, have you thought he is speaking to you from heaven? Remember, Jesus promised, “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) The Spirit is a conduit of Jesus’ teachings. He awakens us to the Bible’s truth. He teaches us how to use Jesus’ teachings to respond to the world around us. The Spirit guides you, his church, forward into the path he has prepared for you to follow him toward the new heaven and earth.
   Our work is to listen to the Son through the Spirit. There is no excuse to not know what Jesus says. Often the question is, “What is God’s will?” as we encounter a situation. God’s will is defined and detailed in Scripture, so you can know how to respond with God’s righteous wisdom.
   When God spoke from Sinai, his presence shook the earth.  Exodus 19:18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently.
   Then Hebrews points to the promise from the prophet Haggai 2:6 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
   This defines the Day of the Lord. In the final shaking of the earth, God will remove all created things. The New Jerusalem will be God’s heavenly city that cannot be shaken.
  Faithful hearts are strong and confident because you listen to Jesus. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)