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.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Key Thought: Paul uses imagery from Daniel to remind readers that Jesus has received a kingdom and is going to share His kingdom with believers.
March 19, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 12:22-24, Daniel 7:13,14.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. How can being before a judge in judgment be a reason for celebration?
3. Personal Application: If you were called before God to review your life: words, actions, thoughts; would you be joyful or fearful? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “The Bible tells us not to be afraid, and yet facing my life’s record is a fearful thing. Many people can be self-deceived as to their standing before God, thinking they are safe, when they are not. I don’t want to be like that.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 12:26,27. Psalms 96:9,10.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is the purpose of God’s shaking the heavens and the earth? What does this mean?
3. Personal Application: Would you rather have a person who had wronged you to receive just punishment, or see them repent and be forgiven and reach heaven? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “There is never justice done in this world. Evil wins all the time and people are not held accountable. Even many Christians lie, steal, and cheat and expect God to forgive them and the victims are not vindicated.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 12:27, Psalm 21:7, 62:2..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What are the things that will not be shaken?
3. Personal Application: How well are you doing now in terms of being shaken or not shaken? What choices can you make to get help in being unmoved? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why is it important to realize that Christ is leading us as a group? What are my responsibilities to the group? What should I expect from the group? Could I expect too much?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 12:28, 13:15,16.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How do we offer God acceptable worship?
3. Personal Application: How could our spiritual sacrifices to God be corrupted? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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The titles of the thirteen Sabbaths of study this quarter give us two hymns to use as the themes:
Hymn 593 – In Times Like These and 
Hymn 177 – Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness.

Sabbath afternoon is helping us to conclude our study on Hebrews with “the last and climactic exhortation: God’s judgment” as in 
Hymn 416 – The Judgment Has Set and 
Hymn 418 – Day of Judgment, Day of Wonders! (continues on through until Friday). Ah, what our dear Savior has done for us to bring us to this point: 
Hymn 415 – Christ the Lord, All Power Possessing.

Sunday encourages us to “come to Mount Zion” Hebrews 12:22 as does 
Hymn 422 – Marching to Zion and 
Hymn 450 – Beautiful Zion. Further down in the day’s study we find 
The Lord in Zion Reigneth – Hymn 7 and find Jesus crowned: 
Hymn 223 – Crown Him With Many Crowns.

We are to “pay attention to God’s voice (Tuesday) and 
Watch Ye Saints – Hymn 598 as the Heavens and the earth will shake.

Psalm 46:5 is clear (Wednesday) that “those who hold fast ‘in Jesus’ will not be shaken”, so dear people 
Hold Fast Till I Come – Hymn 600.

We are bound for The Promised Land! Hallelujah!! – 
Hymn 620 – On Jordan’s Stormy Banks. Come, Lord Jesus, come – very soon.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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