Further Thought: “During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection the judgment of the wicked takes place. The apostle Paul points to this judgment as an event that follows the second advent. ‘Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, … Continue reading –>
Hebrews concludes this section by pointing out that the appropriate response to God for all the wonderful things He has done for us is to show gratitude by offering Him an appropriate type of worship. Compare Hebrews 12:28 and Hebrews 13:15-16. How do we offer God acceptable worship? In the old covenant system, the sacrifice of animals was … Continue reading –>
God has announced that He will “shake” the heavens and the earth, which means that He will destroy enemy nations. There are some things, however, that will not be shaken, that will not be destroyed. Compare Psalm 15:5, Psalm 16:8, Psalm 21:7, Psalm 62:2, Psalm 112:6, and Hebrews 12:27. What are the things that will not be shaken? Many modern translations … Continue reading –>
After describing the festal gathering occurring in heaven, Paul warns the readers that they need to pay attention to God’s voice because God will shake “yet once more … not only the earth but also the heavens” (Hebrews 12:26, ESV). Paul is saying that although Jesus has been enthroned in heaven, our salvation has not been … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 12:23. If this is a celebration, why is God described as a judge? How can a judge be part of or a reason for a celebration? Read also Daniel 7:9-10, Daniel 7:13-22. The celebration described in Hebrews 12:22-24 alludes to a future judgment. God, the judge, presides, and books are used, and the result of this future … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 12:22-24. What does Paul describe here? Hebrews affirms that we have come to Mount Zion and participate in a great celebration. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering” (Hebrews 12:22, ESV). We have come through faith in … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Hebrews 12:18–29; Exodus 32:32; Daniel 7:9-10, , Daniel 7:13-22; Haggai 2:6–9, Haggai 2:20-22; Psalm 15:5; Psalm 16:8; Hebrews 13:15-16. Memory Text: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28, NKJV). Hebrews 12:18-29, the passage for this week, is the … Continue reading –>
Worshiping Like Jesus By Andrew McChesney Three years ago, the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering helped establish a community center to reach people in Cambodia. But the community center, an “urban center of influence,” reached its first person before it even opened. Koy Sopaon heard that construction work had started on the Essential Life Center and that … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “By faith you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow up in Him — by giving and taking. You are to give all, — your heart, your will, your service, — give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all, — Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 12:1-3. What do these verses ask us to do? The climax of the exposition on faith really arrives with Jesus in Hebrews chapter 12. Paul started the letter with Jesus, who is the “coming one” and who “will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37, ESV), and Paul concludes it with Jesus the “perfecter” of our faith (Hebrews … Continue reading –>
