THE UNSHAKABLE
KINGDOM
Introduction: John Hess Yoder
writes in Leadership magazine: While serving as a missionary in Laos, I
discovered an illustration of the Kingdom of God. Before the colonialists
imposed national boundaries, Laos and Vietnam’s kings reached an agreement on
taxation in the border areas. Those who ate short-grain rice built their houses
on stilts and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were considered
Laotians.
On the other hand, those who ate long-grain rice built
their houses on the ground and decorated them with Chinese-style dragons were
considered Vietnamese. The exact location of a person’s home was not what
determined his or her nationality. Instead, each person belonged to the Kingdom,
whose cultural values he or she exhibited. So, it is with us: we live in the
world, but as part of God’s Kingdom, we live according to His Kingdom’s
standards and values.[1]
Last week we looked at “Our True Birthright” as God’s
children. We realized that being the children of God is a privilege with
responsibilities. In the remaining part of chapter twelve, the author shows us
the difference between the earthly and heavenly realms. He warns us of the danger
of not listening to God. He concludes by exposing the weak foundations of this
universe and encourages us to live as the Unshakable Kingdom members. Hebrews
12:18-29.
I
CONTRAST OF SINAI AND ZION: (Vs. 18-23)
Mountains and hills are mentioned
over 500 times in the Bible. Mountains have a logical religious symbolism for
Jewish and Christian cultures since they are “closer to God,” who dwells in the
heavens (as in the sky). God often reveals himself on a mountaintop.[2] They are significant
because they exhibit God’s power, glory, dealings with humanity, and His
indwelling presence. In the OT, the mountains of Sinai and Zion are most
prominent. What do we know about them?
Earthly Mount Sinai traditionally
has been accepted as a sacred place for Jewish, Christians, and Muslims. Mount
Sinai is the place where Moses received the law and the Ten Commandments. It
became a symbol of God’s covenant with Israel. Exodus 19:1-25.
Earthly Mount Zion can refer to one of three
places: the hill where the most ancient areas of Jerusalem stood; the city of
Jerusalem itself; or the dwelling place of God. In our passage from verses
18-22, we see a contrast between God’s earthly and heavenly dwelling places.
The earthly Mount Sinai was a frightening and highly restrictive place.
God showed up on Mount Sinai through flaming fire,
darkness, gloom, and whirlwind. His voice was so terrible that the Israelites
begged God to stop speaking to them. They implored Moses to talk to them
instead. God’s presence was so powerful even Moses was so frightened.
Only Moses and Aron were allowed on the mountain, and
the rest were prohibited. It was the same with the earthly mount Zion where the
temple was located. In Psalm 15:1-5, King David prays, “Who may worship in your
sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? The rest of the
verses talk about the criteria for entering into God’s presence.
After explaining to his audience how terrible and less
accessible the earthly dwelling places of God were, he points them to a much
better and heavenly place. Vs. 22-24 “No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the
city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem... You have come to Jesus, the One
who mediates the new covenant between God and people.”
While God’s earthly dwelling places were restrictive
and only a few could ever enter, the heavenly dwelling place is open for all
those who believe in Christ Jesus, our Great High Priest. Heavenly Jerusalem
will be our permanent address where you and I and all those who will believe in
Jesus will dwell with God through eternity. But it is also being built now in
the heart of each believer who walks with the Lord obediently and grows in
wisdom and peace.
II
A CALL TO LISTEN TO GOD.
Vs. 25, “Be careful that you do not refuse to listen
to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when
they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not
escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!” In this verse, we
see a call to Listen to God when He speaks and a warning of what happens when
we don’t listen.
In our first theme, “Has God Spoken?”
Where we saw how God spoke through prophets in ancient times to our ancestors
and how in the last days through His Son Jesus Christ. It is not that he
stopped speaking; perhaps we may have stopped listening. Have you stopped
listening to God? Heed this warning of what happens when you go on your way
without listening to God.
Throughout Biblical and Church
history, we have examples of those who have followed God closely by listening
to His Voice and enjoyed blessings. We also have examples of those who refused
to listen to God, went on their stubborn, independent ways, and suffered
destruction.
Consider these scriptures: Isaiah 28:23, “Listen to
me; listen, and pay close attention.” Prov 8:33, “Listen to my instruction and
be wise. Don’t ignore it.” When we don’t listen to God, even our prayers are an
abomination. Prov 28:9, “If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even
their prayers are detestable.” Paying attention to God’s words gives health to
our bodies.
Prov 4:20-22, “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen
carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into
your heart, for they bring life to those who find them and healing to their
whole body.” God’s words are life-giving. They will enrich our souls.
Listening to God’s words involves obedience and
observance. Matt 7:24, Anyone who
listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house
on solid rock. Whose words do you hear today? Do you listen to the lies of
politicians and follow unproven conspiracy theories? Or do you hear the
life-giving and hope-filled words of God?
III
THE UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM
Vs.26-28,
“When God spoke from Mount Sinai, his voice shook the earth, but now he makes
another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens
also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed so that only
unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is
unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear
and awe.”
In the OT, people experienced earth-shaking
underneath them whenever God spoke or was angry. Judges 5:5, “The mountains
quaked in the presence of the Lord, the God of Mount Sinai in the presence of
the Lord, the God of Israel.” That was the power of God’s voice.
God is promising that, once again, He will shake the
earth and the heavens. The whole creation will be shaken and removed. Is
COVID-19 a way of God shaking the world? As we know, since February last year,
the world has been shaken in every way.
We all have been shaken up pretty badly by COVID-19.
But do people pay attention to what God might be saying to us as our ancestors
had done? Or do we keep doing the same old things, living in the same old
God-dishonoring way? Let me warn you, according to the promise; more shaking is
to be expected on the earth and heavens. Everything will be shaken.
God is making another promise that He will give His children
the Unshakable Kingdom. Those who believe in Jesus will get to be part of that unshakable Kingdom. All those who belong to the Kingdom are thankful and please
God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.
When this world passes away, God’s Kingdom will endure
forever. Are you part of it? If not, you can become a Kingdom citizen by
accepting Jesus as your savior. Those who are the Kingdom citizens speak these
words with me; I thank you, Lord, for letting me be part of your unshakable
Kingdom. Please grant me the strength to live as I belong to the King. Amen!
