Earthquakes are the worst kind of disaster - unlike hurricanes and tornadoes; you have little if any warning of an earthquake. Despite many years of research, scientists have yet to accurately predict where, when, and how big an earthquake will be.
Just weeks ago in Pakistan a 7.4 quake killed over 50,000 people. If you’ve ever experienced an earthquake you know the disorienting feeling it gives - it throws you off balance and you realize that if the earth beneath you moves, rolls, shakes, or breaks - then nothing at all is safe.
As bad as the earthquakes we have experienced or have heard about are - it’s nothing compared with what’s coming. The Book of the Revelation records a coming quake that will be the largest ever experienced in earth’s history. In chapter 16 we read that it will be so big that the cities of the nations will fall, islands will flee away, and mountains will come crashing down to the earth. The loss of life will be tremendous.
That earthquake will be but a foreshadowing of another kind of quake - not an earthquake only, but a quake of earth and heaven that will see the entire planet destroyed.
Science fiction writers have often thought about what would happen if the earth were destroyed or became inhabitable. They theorize about giant rocket ships transporting earth’s population to Eden-2 or something like that. As wonderful as that sounds - it’s not going to happen - at least not by man’s efforts.
In fact, the shaking of planet earth to its core is foretold in 2 Peter:
2 Peter 3:8-10 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. ESV
What will happen to you when that ultimate earthquake occurs? Imagine every molecule of every element disintegrates around you. How would you hope to survive? What you need is a safe refuge; a mountain or a city that is indestructible - one that can withstand any force - even the destruction of planet earth. Which would you put stock in - this planet that can be destroyed, or another abode that cannot? That is what the last half of Hebrews is all about.
To set the stage, turn to: Exodus 19:9-19, 20:18-21
This sets the stage for the last half of Hebrews 12.
The Israelites had been rescued from Egypt and were being introduced to their husband, and their God - Yahweh. They got a lot more than they bargained for - the result of their encounter was fear and trembling. The author of Hebrews uses this encounter to make a vital point about the differences between the Old and New Covenant - and presents a clear choice and a warning about the consequences of choosing unwisely.
The author showed us that a great number of people in the Old Covenant trusted in God despite severe opposition and trouble - and that, in fact, God allows and even brings trials into our lives to hone us out of love for our good - even though it isn’t pleasant. So, he says in verse 12 "lift up drooping hands and strengthen weak knees." Don’t give up and go limp - raise your hands in worship, walk on with the Lord - don’t fall into complaining and bitterness like Esau because it will poison you. Maybe what you need, he says, is a change of scenery. You are approaching the New Covenant as if by the Old Covenant.
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned." 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear."
Mt Sinai could not be touched - and if they did, they would die. Reaching out to come in contact with God is a dangerous and fatal activity under the Old Covenant system. His point is that you too should be terribly frightened in approaching God by yourself. We have lost so much of the fear of the Lord in our day. God is "the big man upstairs" and "my buddy." No He’s not. He is mighty beyond your ability to comprehend, holy beyond your ability to know or attain - and more dangerous and frightening than anything you could imagine.
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly 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 that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Instead of coming to the mountain of fear, we are presented with the mountain of grace: Mt Zion. Mt Zion represents Jerusalem - and the place of sacrifice for Jesus Christ, who was crucified there for our sins. Literally the hand of God did reach out to man to destroy him for sins - and it came in contact with Jesus Christ who purposefully placed Himself between God and man in order to receive the judgment and punishment for our sins - like the guys who steps up and takes your bullet.
Even as the people would die if they touched Mt Sinai, Jesus did die on Mt Zion. But because He was sinless, the Father raised Him from the dead, so that He will never die again, and in Him we won’t either. That’s part 1.
The second part is not the Jerusalem of the earth, but the New Jerusalem of heaven - after God destroys the earth as we know it.
Turn to Revelation 21:10. The New Jerusalem is a city - a perfect cube or a pyramid 1,400 miles across. Without going into great detail there are two things I want to point out - number one is verse 12-14 - the gates of the city and its foundations represent the church - redeemed man. And then look at verse 22 - it doesn’t have a temple because God lives there in person - with man. No longer is there a separation - we will live with God, touch God, commune with God - with no fear or danger, and it is permanent. Verse 5 of chapter 22 says they will reign with him "forever and ever."
It’s a place of celebration (angels in festal gathering) - where we will assemble together as the firstborn with the Father and with the One who made it all possible - Jesus, who purchased us with His blood. The characteristics of Mt Sinai are death for sin, trembling with fear, and separation from God. The characteristics of this city are: new life, celebration, and fellowship.
It is better than Abel’s blood - Abel, killed by his brother Cain in Genesis 5 - is emblematic of man’s rebellion, weakness, and evil - committing the first murder and taking life, which belongs to God. Jesus blood speaks of God redeeming man from his own sin and cleansing us forever. Cain’s punishment was to be banished. Our gift is to be reunited with God forever.
But as the author presents these two mountains he also presents a choice:
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised,
"Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken - that is, things that have been made - in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. ESV
On Mt Sinai God outlined clear expectations for His people in the Ten Commandments and the Book of the Covenant. Ezekiel 18:4 says "the soul who sins shall die."
From Mt Zion God declares "This is my beloved Son, listen to Him." Mark 9:7. If you think you can escape that word you are sadly mistaken. In the end, the Lord will separate everyone into two groups - one group listened to the Son, believed in Him and are saved eternally - the other group refused to listen, rejected Jesus, and will go to eternal punishment (Matthew 25, 7:23).
After that - all this creation will be destroyed - it will be "shaken." Best be part of the kingdom that comes from the heavenly Mt Zion - for it, and you, will never be shaken. (John 6:40)
So - in light of that - two things (verse 28): 1. Be grateful, 2. Be worshipful.
How often do you take the time to thank God for offering you such a great gift - and then worship Him for His love and goodness? He truly is a consuming fire and one day He will "break out" as it says in Exodus 19 and everything in the old creation will be done away with - the only things that will remain alive are those God has given new life to.
And what is eternal life? John 17:2-3 And this is eternal life , that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
So what was the Hebrews problem? They were approaching Mt Zion acting as if they were approaching Mt Sinai. They were afraid to approach God and trust in Him for everything they needed for salvation and assistance during their time of great need because they were fearful to come near like the Israelites in Exodus.
Are you afraid to approach God? Without Jesus you should be very afraid - but in Him you should be just as confident as you should be afraid without Him.
To conclude, let’s compare the two mountains - and see if you have any Mt Sinai left over in you- so that you can purge that out and come fully before Mt Zion.
Mt Sinai and Mt Zion compared
S: Come near and die (death)
Z: Come near and die, then live (life)
S: God’s character revealed
Z: God’s love revealed
S: God came down from heaven but not near man
Z: God came down from heaven to dwell among man
S: God spoke and fear erupted
Z: God spoke and life erupted
S: Represents the Law
Z: Represents grace
S: You can’t touch God
Z: Invite God to touch you
S: The Tablets of stone
Z: The broken heart of flesh on the cross
S: Judgment
Z: Sacrifice and forgiveness
S: Temporary access to God
Z: Permanent access to God
S: Fear and trembling
Z: Worship and celebration
S: Booming frightening voices, but a temporary mountain
Z: Gentle and quiet voices of the gospel, but in the end a much more destructive judgment and a permanent abode.
Conclusions
A shaking is coming that will destroy the earth to its core. How much of your life is invested in this earth? If it is destroyed, how much of your life would go away as well? That doesn’t mean you don’t live in the world - but it is a good exercise to think about how deep are our roots - and why are we so worried about and fight about stuff that is going to burn anyway?
We are to live responsible lives - but to worry and fret and fight and scramble for this world? It’s not worth it. We have died - and our life is hidden with Christ with God.
For more Bible studies and an audio version of this study please visit: www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org
