Unshaken
“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.” (Hebrews 12:27)
This statement is such a majestic utterance, surely no man alone would have presumed to utter. Centuries in the past, a utterly defeated people, so completely emptied, An exiled people seeking to return from Babylon to their ruined temple, seemingly reached the total limit of courage heard God speak through his prophet Haggi:
“…be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Haggai 2:4-7)
Let me point out that when the Law was given only the earth was shaken, Temporal Authority, the civil or political government of the Jews was shaken and absorbed by the ecclesiastical constitution. The coming of the coronation of Saul, a sort of district civil authority was brought into force. The prophecy of Haggai accords the coming time when both the civil and ecclesiastical institutions will be taken away. In that convulsion the outer form disappears, in its place the inner hidden glory will become more apparent. Out of this comes the “Desire of all Nations” the Kingdom of Christ. You see, the law only intended to last till the “Desire of Nations,” then passed away.
Now from our place in history we can see in a degree of understanding that these “shakings” must surely have been forerunner to the completion of the divine purpose for man. The word of God clearly states that all that is impermanent will disappear in this final shaking. I ask you now, think clearly, has there ever been such a time before in history such as this we now live in; worldwide in scope, the shaking and testing of every facet of life East to West, South to North? Not local but world in scope.
Theological systems of our time are being shaken. The whole of the system is filled with questions. not just simple questions but the highest themes. Nature of the atonement, doctrine of holiness, eternal punishment, heaven hell, even some aspects of eternal life.
I do not suggest that we of the conservative biblical theology just stand around and wring our hands, but sound loud and clear the trumpet of truth.
Cause for alarm, yes, but let us not become alarmist, but rather see these questions as open doors through which we might enter with the gospel; good news, let us as representatives as we claim to be, make Christ known to those who are inquiring.
Ecclesiastical systems are being shaken, does not accept anything or any plea that is not based on clear evidence of service rendered. Teachers and preachers of the gospel must produce works in Christ name if they are to be respected and the message of the church must be relevant to the needs of men.
Methods of carrying the gospel, building the Kingdom are being weighed in the balances. Change threatens most time here honored customs. World is watching to see the effects and outcome of the challenges and drastic changes in the Catholic Church, worship, liturgy, and general policy.
Character is being shaken; church is faced with responsibilities in the area of “social reform.” I truly believe that for the first time we as Christians are being shaken in our attitudes in the age of critical race problems.
As citizens of a free nation we are challenged to protest moral and social evils of our time or surrender A herit age held high.
Long shadows are being cast across free nations by the rising empires of those who would destroy such freedoms; Russia and Chinese communism.
Multiple shadows of gloom is a signal the “removing of those things ….that are made.” Let us turn and open the windows of our hearts to the hope “that those things that cannot be shaken may remain.”
History has proven time and time again the gospel light shines the brightest when the world of man's hope is darkened by fear and frustration.
God's Word Remains; heaven and earth may pass away, God's word will never pass away. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35). Neither criticism of the past, nor will the criticisms of modern times erase one “jot or tittle” of its meaning. God's word has shaken off the adversaries without harm. Paul had got together an armful of sticks and put them on the fire when the Viper driven out by the heat fastened on his hand Paul however shook off the snake into the fire and was none the worse (Acts 28:5) So thus God's word stands.
God's love remains unshaken: Love of man may hinge on many things: fortune, neglect, rumor, to name a few. God's love is like God himself, “but the unloving know nothing of God. God is love.” (I John 4:8). No thing can reach high enough to touch the height of his love. God's love in Christ is unassailable.
God's Kingdom remains unshaken: “The Kingdom we are given is unshakable,” Hebrews 12:28. Beloved this is amidst the revolutions of our time. I know that to the minds of men it is a mystery, but be assured it will soon be revealed. A Kingdom that shall never be destroyed.
This is not the final plan of God for his people. The city for which Saints of God are seeking has a foundation that is final (permanent), a climate without cloud or storm, the sea is peaceful at the foot of the throne of God.
As Christians we need not agonize for our faith, rather let us use it, claim it, use it. Only in this can we know the satisfying experiences of an acceptable service. “The Kingdom we are given is unshakable let us therefore give thanks to God, and so worship him as he would be worshipped with reverence and awe; for our God is a devouring fire.”
