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Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
The Scriptorium

Unshakeable

God's Kingdom cannot be shaken.

Hebrews 12 (6)

Introduction

This section begins with the sternest warning in the entire book and ends with sweet exhortation and encouragement – albeit with a note of fear. It takes such counsel to communicate the importance of bearing up under our trials, keeping focused on Jesus, and pressing on in our heavenly calling (Heb. 3.1). God has called us to an unshakeable Kingdom for unfading glory (1 Thess. 2.12). We need to make sure we have a firm grasp of these.

Meditate on Haggai 2.1-9.

Read Hebrews 12.25-29.

Think it through.

1. To draw back from Jesus in an effort to minimize persecution is to “refuse Him who speaks.” Jesus speaks to us words of salvation, hope, faith, and rest. If we cave in and clam up when others speak taunting or threatening words, we are choosing to be ruled by their words rather than by the promises of Jesus. Is this a serious matter? Explain. How does the writer use the word escape in verse 25? Escape what? Would it be better to endure the persecution of people than the chastening of the Lord? Explain.

2.  The writer cites Haggai 2.1-9, which was given to encourage the people of Israel at a time of great discouragement. What Haggai promised (Heb. 12.26), we are now receiving (v. 28). The writer avoids the verb have received and chooses the participle are receiving (παραλαμβάνοντες) to describe our relationship to the Kingdom. What’s the difference? Can the Kingdom of God be shaken by the taunts, threats, or attacks of men? Why not? The writer urges his readers on to serve God “with reverence and godly fear.” Why do we need gracefor this? What is grace, and how does it operate to give us endurance? How can we secure such grace (Heb. 4.16)? Why is it always a good idea to remember that “our God is a consuming fire”?

Meditate.
“‘The one who warned them on earth’ can be understood to mean the one promising them earthly things that will pass away: the land flowing with milk and honey, the conquest of enemies, goodly offspring and long life. But from heaven speaks the one who promises heaven itself as an inheritance, who graciously bestows the enjoyment of that unspeakable and eternal glory.” Photius (820-891AD)

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain 
it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.1 Corinthians 9.24, 25

Let Your Spirit and Word be a firm foundation for my life, O Lord, that I may seek and advance Your unshakeable Kingdom in…

Pray Psalm 47.
God is the King of all the earth. How should that sovereign and glorious rule be expressed in your life today? Meditate as you pray, and make whatever specific commitments the Spirit suggests.

Psalm 47.1-9 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
O clap your hands, you peoples all,
With joy to God your songs intone!
Shout out to Him, and on Him call,
He is the mighty, sovereign One!

High is the Lord, O, fear His Name!
He rules, a King o’er all the earth.
Nations and peoples He has tamed,
The heritage of His holy worth.

God has ascended with a shout,
The Lord with sound of trumpet bold!
Sing praise to Him, let praise ring out!
Let praise through all the world be told!

God is the King of all the earth,
Sing praise to Him with glorious psalms!
He rules the nations by His worth,
And on His throne receives their alms.

Princes of peoples gather all
To Abraham and to our God.
Exalt the Lord, and on Him call – 
The earth is His, so praise our God!

T. M Moore

Do you receive our twice-weekly teaching letter Crosfigell? Here the wisdom of God’s Word and that of our Celtic Christian forebears speaks to us of how to follow Him in our day. Begin reading Crosfigell by clicking here, then use the pop-up on the home page to subscribe. Crosfigellcomes out on Tuesday and Thursday.

For a better understanding of the book of Hebrews, and all the books of the Bible, order a copy of the workbook, 
God’s Covenant, from our online store. The studies in this workbook will show you how the parts of the Bible connect with one another to tell the story of God’s redemption and glory (click here). To learn more about Christ in His exaltation, order the book, The Kingship of Jesus (click here).

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
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