God has announced that He will “shake” the heavens and the earth, which means that He will destroy enemy nations. There are some things, however, that will not be shaken, that will not be destroyed.

Compare Psalm 15:5, Psalm 16:8, Psalm 21:7, Psalm 62:2, Psalm 112:6, and Hebrews 12:27. What are the things that will not be shaken?

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Many modern translations of Hebrews 12:27 suggest that the shaking of the heavens and the earth means that they will be removed and forever gone.

The Bible is clear, however, that God will create new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:1-4), and we will be resurrected and have a new body (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Philippians 3:20) on this earth. Thus, the “shaking” implies the cleansing and renovation of creation, not its complete removal. What is here will be re-created, and it will be where the redeemed will live.

There are some things, however, that will not and cannot be shaken. They include the righteous. They will not be shaken because they trust in God. The Creator sustains them and guarantees their survival.

Note that in Hebrews, permanence and stability are associated with Jesus. Hebrews 1:10-12 says about Jesus: “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end” (ESV). Hebrews also says that Jesus’ priesthood remains forever (Hebrews 7:3, Hebrews 7:24) as does also the inheritance of the redeemed (Hebrews 10:34). In the final judgment, those who hold fast “in Jesus” will not be shaken (Psalm 46:5).

Hebrews 12:28 also says that we will receive “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (ESV). This is a reference to Daniel 7:18, which says that the saints will “possess the kingdom forever.” This is the kingdom that “shall never be destroyed” mentioned in Daniel 2:44. This kingdom belongs to the Son, but He will share it with us. Revelation 20:4 says that we will judge with Him the evil powers that persecuted us (1 Corinthians 6:3).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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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?

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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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Read Hebrews 12:23. If this is a celebration, why is God described as a judge? How can a judge be part of or a reason for a celebration? Read also Daniel 7:9-10, Daniel 7:13-22.

The celebration described in Hebrews 12:22-24 alludes to a future judgment. God, the judge, presides, and books are used, and the result of this future judgment from the books is that God’s people receive the kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

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This scene evokes the great pre-Advent judgment described in Daniel chapter 7, which portrays a judgment scene where God, the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9), sits on a throne made of fire and is surrounded with “ten thousand times ten thousand” (Daniel 7:10) angels. Books are opened (Daniel 7:10), and the judgment is decided in favor of “the saints of the most High,” who then “possessed the kingdom.” (Daniel 7:22).

Similarly, Hebrews 12:22-29 describes a judgment scene at Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, where God, “the Judge of all,” is surrounded with “thousands upon thousands” of angels (NIV). The scene is also a fiery one (Hebrews 12:29). It includes books because the saints are “enrolled” in them (Hebrews 12:23, ESV), which implies a favorable judgment for the saints.

Jesus is at the center of the scene (Hebrews 12:24). He was described as the Son of Man in Hebrews 2, who was “crowned with glory and honor” after having tasted “death” in our behalf (Hebrews 2:9, ESV). According to Hebrews 2:10, the “son of man” (see Hebrews 2:6, ESV) suffered in order that He could bring “many sons to glory” (ESV); that is, in order that believers would be able to be “crowned with glory and honor” as well. The “Son” has now brought believers into Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, through the benefits of the new covenant (Hebrews 12:22-24), where they are promised to receive a kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

This judgment is, then, really good news for believers because it is a judgment that rules in their favor. It vindicates them. It is a judgment that defeats their adversary, the dragon, who is behind the terrible beasts that have persecuted believers in the past (Daniel chapter 7) and will do so in the future (Revelation chapter 13).

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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