A Time of Shaking, A Time of Safety

A Time of Shaking, A Time of Safety

Midweek Encouragement for December 16, 2020

David Niquette, More of His Fullness.com

(Bible quotes are from NASB unless otherwise notes. Modifications may be added for emphasis.)

Few of us would dispute that the world in which we live is being shaken in a way we have not previously experienced. This shaking has a biblical explanation. Follow along.

The writer to the Hebrews makes a contrasting comparison between two mountains. The earthly mountain on which Moses received the Law, and a spiritual mountain in heaven he calls ‘Mount Zion.”

The Israelites were terrified at that first shaking at Mount Sinai. You can read all about it in Exodus 19. Then the writer builds a present-day application.

Hebrews 12:26-27 NIV. 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.

The writer points to a prophetic promise in Haggai 2:6 about a future shaking: "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.” Many other N.T. prophecies elaborate on the unfolding of this “shaking” which we have come to know as the “great tribulation.”

But, for the people of faith, we are privileged to have come to the other, spiritual mountain, and are secure already, though the shaking inevitable by God’s purposes:

Hebrews 12:22-24a NIV. 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of]angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24a and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood . . . . 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12 started out speaking of the “cloud of witnesses” in heaven that are waiting for us to finish our “faith race.” They are now described as “the spirits of righteous men made perfect.” They were Old Testament saints who lived by faith (Hebrews 11), and when Christ rose from the grave, His righteousness was imputed to them in heaven. And you, dear saint, are already declared righteous is Christ.

Be encouraged! We’re in Christ’s Kingdom which cannot be shaken! Keep your eyes on Him. And rejoice in faith in the spiritual Mount Zion of which you are already a part.