Hebrews 12:18-29

18: For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 
19: and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.

20: For they could not bear the command, “IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED.” 
21: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling.”
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, 
24: and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

25: See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 
26: And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” 
27: This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28: Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 
29: for our God is a consuming fire.

*** 

Paul contrasted the two mountains—Sinai and Zion. When Moses was given the Law, he was on Mt. Sinai—an earthly, physical mountain where a terrifying sight revealed the presence of God (Exodus 19:10-25, Exodus 20:18-21). Paul quoted Exodus 19:12 where God said if even a beast touched the mountain it was to be stoned, and Deuteronomy 9:19 where even Moses said he was full of fear and trembling.

This Mt. Sinai is not the dwelling place of God that we have been brought to today. We’ve come to Mt. Zion—a spiritual place—the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, to the angels and fellow believers in Christ, to God Himself—the Judge of all, to Jesus—the mediator of the new covenant, and to His blood which speaks on our behalf. We are recorded citizens of heaven.

So, Paul said not to refuse Him who was speaking. The Lord spoke and warned of the consequences of violating the Law, His commandments, to those on earth at Mt. Sinai. His voice shook the earth then, and those who refused Him did not escape. He has spoken again now and promised another shaking, not only of the earth but the heavens—which is a quote from Haggai 2:6. This shaking will remove the physical so the spiritual may remain. This is the kingdom we receive—one that cannot be shaken—an eternal kingdom established by God Himself. So, let us show our gratitude to God with the reverence and awe He deserves. He is a consuming fire. Moses said the same, also calling Him a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24). He is to be revered and feared for there is no one holy like Him—the Most High. Yet He loves, and is jealous for—protective of—His people.


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