Students of scripture recognize that chapter and chapter-section titles are typically excellent, although not in the original text. This section of Hebrews 12 is particularly well titled.
Hebrews 12
“Hear the Heavenly Voice”
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,
26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”
27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 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.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
After having just earlier (Heb 12:18-24) declared the greater/more intimate availability of the knowledge and presence of God via the indwelling spirit, and contrasting that NT advantage against the dramatic OT on-earth experiences of God descending at Mt. Sinai (including the mountain shaking with His presence!) the writer goes on to:
A. Advise and confirm to the believer that God indeed speaks to His people (throughout Hebrews the writer quotes Psalm 95 – “Today if you will hear His voice…”); AND
B. Admonish NT readers (us of course included) of the accountability that comes along with the increased intimacy and availability of the knowledge and will of God. That’s verse 25:
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven
POINT TO NOTE: In the Gospels, Jesus speaks the words “ears to hear” eight times. He is clearly confirming God’s intent to be speaking to His people – at which time His intent is for our response.
Verse 26 then confirms that the Haggai prophecy of shaking heaven and earth is still to come, and that shaking involves two distinct realms – not only earth (the natural) but also the heavens (the supernatural).
26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”
Verse 27 reveals the shaking has radical intent and purpose – things wasteful and useless and temporal, that get in the way of man acknowledging, serving and worshipping God, will get rocked, and more:
27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Verse 28 advises us that since this radical shaking process is part of God’s sovereign conclusion-of-this-age plan to transition us into the eternal, we who are here ought to lay hold of true grace for its intended purpose – that we might come into His perfect presence even in our imperfect condition and serve Him with reverence and godly far (which Psalm 34 encourages us God will teach us as we press in):
28 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.
And verse 29 cements the admonishment by reminding us who God is – and that He is worthy to be revered and feared.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
This is New Testament truth and reality.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Our great God breathed on His entire word for our benefit and our success.
All scripture NKJV
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