Tuesday: Shake the Heavens and the Earth
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 consummated. We need to pay attention because an important event is still to happen.
Compare Haggai 2:6-9, Haggai 2:20-22; Psalm 96:9-10; Psalm 99:1; and Hebrews 12:26-27. What is the purpose of God’s shaking the heavens and the earth? What does this mean?
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
In the Old Testament, the shaking of the earth was a common figure for the presence of God, who shows up to deliver His people. When Deborah and Barak fought against Sisera, God fought from heaven on their behalf (Judges 5:20). This is described as a powerful earthquake, a shaking of the earth and mountains because of the presence of God (Judges 5:4-5). We find this same image appearing throughout the Old Testament when God arises to deliver the oppressed (Psalm 68:7-8; Psalm 60:2; Psalm 77:17-18). Thus, a shaking signaled God’s judgment as He asserts His authority over the peoples of the earth. The prophets predicted this would happen in the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 13:13, Isaiah 24:18-23).
For Hebrews, the “shaking” of heaven and earth refers to the destruction of the enemies of God. This is what God promised at the enthronement of Jesus. God said to Him: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” (Hebrews 1:13, ESV). Thus, Jesus has defeated the enemy (Hebrews 2:14-16) and been enthroned (Hebrews 1:5-14), but the enemies have not yet been destroyed (Hebrews 10:11-14, 1 Corinthians 15:23-25).
But God will destroy these enemies in the future, when God will shake the heavens and the earth. The shaking of the heavens and the earth means, then, the destruction of the earthly powers that persecute God’s people and, more importantly, the destruction of the evil powers (Satan and his angels) who stand behind the earthly powers and control them.
| Why is the promise that one day justice will be done, and the evil that has been so prevalent in our world will one day be destroyed, such a hopeful promise for us all, especially those who have suffered directly at the hands of evil? |
(24)
Everyone suffers because of evil in the world. None has escaped this reality. We all need a day it would all end here! New heaven and earth will be presented to the Universe!
I have told you previously that I own a Troopy; a Toyota Landcruiser utility vehicle built to withstand the rigours of Australian outback roads. When we did the trip up to Capy York, the northern tip of Australia we had to use unmade roads that looked like you were crossing a ploughed field. The correlations were deep and at right-angles to the direction of travel. And we had about 1000km of such roads to travel on. One of my friends had a Toyota Prado. It was a very comfortable car to drive in and had special airbag suspension. During the trip his suspension had to be replaced twice. My rough and ready Troopy with its standard leaf springs and hydraulic low-tech shock absorbers, rode the bumps and stayed together in spite of all the shaking and jarring. Troopies are built for the outback, and in the Australian outback you will see the police, ambulance, firebrigade, Aboriginal Affairs, and mining companies all using troopies because they can withstand the shaking. Prados and other "comfort" cars just don't withstand the shaking.
The final chapter of Hebrews refers back to the Sinai experience in the desert. The mountain of God must have been an inspiring event. In many respects it was the high point of the Exodus. Imagine standing at the foot of the mountain as God spoke. At the time the earth shook. ...and six weeks later they had forgotten all about it and wanted to return to Egypt. In many respects the author of Hebrews is saying that the early Christians have come to the mountain of God once again, but this time in the light of the cross. They too have a decision to make and they are reminded there is no need to repeat history.
Are we in the time of shaking prior to the final shaking at Jesus' Second Coming?
Almost all of us have been affected in one way or another by the covid pandemic.
The war in Ukraine is affecting many directly and the rest economically very soon.
But what about spiritually? Have you or I been shaken by different interpretations of the Word of the LORD that cause us to doubt what we believed is the truth? Have we been too comfortable? Is our faith based on a firm foundation and understanding of the Word of the LORD?
Why does God allows us to be shaken? I believe God uses shaking to show us that the things that cannot be shaken may be seen or revealed to us. When things are shaken we are enabled to see the difference between what is true and what is false.
and what is in our hearts.
Thank you Tammy, yes absolutely.
The Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
Here is something I recently study regarding a text found in Isaiah 17:4-7: "In that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean. And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim. Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the Lord God of Israel."
This scripture gives a picture of an experience to come to the people of God in the last days:
1. "Glory . . . made thin, . . . fatness . . . wax lean,"—a time when the church is not meeting with favor in the world; apparent progress slow.
2. "As when the harvestman gathereth the corn." It will be the time of the harvest; that which remains will be gathered into the garner.
3. "As the shaking of an olive tree." When a tree is shaken by a mighty wind, only the sound fruit clings to the branches; the defective fruit falls to the ground. Defective fruit cannot endure the shaking. The trials and tests of the last days bring the shaking process; it is then that the church passes through the time of Jacob's trouble.
4. "Two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches." There is to be a remnant that will stand the shaking, and cling firmly to the tree, which is the body of Christ, the church.
If we examine the shaking at the time of Jesus' first coming, you would think that history would not repeat itself, but it does. But like the disciples, through Jesus, we have a renewal of our faith.
a. John 6:67: The pointed question, "Will ye also go away?" brought the test to each heart.
b. Matt. 26:58, 69-75: Peter's test. Luke 22:31-34: Christ forewarned Peter of the shaking test.
c. Matt. 26:47, 56: All the disciples failed to endure the shaking—they "forsook Him, and fled."
d. Mark 15:34; Ps. 22:1, 2: Christ passed through the time of test, when His Father's face was hidden from Him, but remained unshaken because of His faith and confidence in the promises of God. Luke 23:46.
e. Although the disciples failed in the time of severe trial, they were enabled to renew their faith and confidence, and in later tests to endure to the end.
Listened to Mark Finley yesterday who said the Latter Rain falls on us individually and only after much prayer, thus not occurring at one specific time. Question: Is there a specific time when the shaking occurs? Or, is it individually like the Latter Rain. Thanks so much!
I believe 'The Shaking' is like a disease which depending on its reach can be classed as follows:
AN EPIDEMIC is a disease that affects a large number of people within a community, population, or region.
A PANDEMIC is an epidemic that’s spread over multiple countries or continents.
ENDEMIC is a disease that regularly happens in an area like malaria.
AN OUTBREAK is a greater-than-anticipated increase in the number of endemic cases. It can also be a single case in a new area. If it’s not quickly controlled, an outbreak can become an epidemic.
So I believe there is always the possibility for an individual's faith to be shaken however Revelation warns that in the end time there will be a world wide crisis which will test everyone's faith. The saints will be called to exhibit endurance and to never give up, never give in, to always believe in and trust the LORD.
To to stand in the last days and not be shaken requires us to stand on the Rock of our salvation. Or if you prefer build our house on firm foundation. I am sure all know what I am talking about. Luke 6:47-48. To stand firm on the Foundation or the Rock, we must hold Fast. Hebrews 10:22-25. Then nothing can deprive us of the love of God. Romans 8:37-38.
Stay in the love of God. Have faith my friends, have faith. For there in ye find peace amid the storm. Romans 5:1-5. Then we say: The Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in Him will I trust. Psalms 91:2.
Yes! This is a place where the Bible says whosoever that is standing should stand firm let's he fall for during the shaking many will come with different gospels , religious funfair etc that Matthew 24:4-44.Reviewed to us to beware of that if one is not mindful of his true faith and believe in Christ,the person might be waved off because of the shaking.
On seeing the End time shaking and falling away as events of perilous time as Paul said in the book of Timothy 3:1-12.Knowing that salvation is real as well as heaven and hell. We must keep our ever faith in Christ without compromise, overlooking the evil wind, the shaking and different storms on our way to end this journey in heaven at last