Daily Writing

Friday, 3 May 2019

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

We now come to a verse which is highly debated over as to its meaning. The author says, “Now this, ‘Yet once more.’” That is speaking of what was just stated in the previous verse which said –

“Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

The words “Yet once more,” signify “once more only.” There is a finality to what is being accomplished. When it is done, the results will be complete, final, and without need of further action.

Now explaining this, he says it “indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken.” The words “being shaken” are translated from a present participle and so it is obvious that this is on-going. It is not something that was simply accomplished and finalized at Christ’s first advent, but which takes us into a point in the future. From there, he explains exactly what he is referring to as meaning, “of things that are made.”

This is the clause that most commentators struggle with. Exactly what the author is referring to seems difficult to pin down, but he will explicitly say this in the next verse –

“…since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken.”

Therefore, it seems best to look at the words, “of things that are made,” as referring to anything that is not a part of this future kingdom, when it is brought to its final state. There are seven dispensations of time. In those dispensations, various things have occurred which are temporary in nature. For example, the dispensation of “government” allows the nations to govern themselves. This will be shaken out of the plan.

The dispensation of law required numerous things for Israel to do or not to do. These pointed to the work of the coming Christ, but were only intended as temporary pictures of what He would fulfill and then set aside. These will be shaken out of the Hebrew people when they put their full trust and hope in Christ. In essence, everything that is to be shaken out of the things that are made is already set to be shaken out by Christ’s first advent. However, they are actually not yet accomplished. This is akin to salvation. For those who have come to Christ, we are already saved, justified, sanctified, and glorified in God’s plans according to Paul’s words, and yet we are still here going through this fallen life in a fallen world. This idea corresponds to what the author is saying here in Hebrews.

All of this is done because of the work of Christ, but it is waiting to be realized so “that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.” When that which is accomplished by Christ is fully realized in what God has set based on Christ’s work, the only thing that will be left is that which is fully acceptable and pleasing to God. We can think of it this way –

“The work is accomplished and the plan is complete, but we are just waiting for time to catch up with that completion.”

One can look to Revelation 13:8 to more fully grasp this –

“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

There, Christ is called, “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” God’s plan was already accomplished before a single thing had been created, but that plan had to be worked out in the stream of time. Eventually, Christ came and was crucified. The effects of that act were realized in God’s mind from the beginning, and yet the full effects within the stream of time are yet ahead. How do we know this is correct? Because the book is written, and it details what the final glory which lies ahead will be like. Thank God that we have a sure hope because of Christ who makes all things new!

Life application: The author tells us that what is being shaken is that which has been created. This doesn’t mean there was something wrong with the creation, but fault resulted because of our actions. For example, a house may be made of wood; there is nothing wrong with the wood, but the way it’s used may be faulty. That which is created, then, can be applied to the building blocks we assemble. That can be through materials, such as for the house, or through teachings, such as faulty doctrine in a denomination. That which is faulty will be shaken “so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” As Jesus is eternal, not created, He cannot be shaken –

“You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. world.” John 8:23

And again –

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’” John 18:36

Following our faith in Jesus to its logical conclusion where proper faith, in Him, will never be shaken –

“For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’”  Romans 10:11

Therefore, that which “cannot be shaken” includes our faith in the Rock of our salvation – faith in Jesus Christ. All other systems of religion, all other philosophies, all other attempts to stand righteous before God, all of these things will be shaken. By the very fact that they are faulty, they will be removed. Hold fast to your faith in Christ Jesus which is worth more than anything else in this fallen world, which is set to be shaken.

Lord God, You have brought us from total separation from You to complete harmony with You. And it has been accomplished – from beginning to end – by You. It is through Christ that the world has been reconciled to You. Soon, all that fails to measure up in this test of grace through faith will be removed. Help us to share this simple and yet all-important message while there is still time. And Lord God, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday, 2 May 2019

…whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Hebrews 12:26

The author finishes the thought which began in the previous verse. The words, “whose voice then shook the earth,” are speaking of the revelation of God on Mount Sinai. That is recorded in Exodus 19:18 –

“Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.”

This same God, who so powerfully displayed His splendor at Sinai, “has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Here, the author is quoting from Haggai 2:6, 7 –

“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; ⁷ 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.”

This is speaking of the coming Messiah, the “Desire of All Nations.” This tells us that just as the Old Covenant shook the earth, so would the New. Haggai was speaking of Christ’s first advent and the shaking of the earth in a manner which would realign all things, not just in Israel, but all nations. A new order of things would come about where salvation would be offered to all, and the people who were considered God’s people would be set aside. And those who were not considered His people would be called by His name.

But, the idea of both earth and heaven shaking certainly has a future application in the second advent of Christ as well. What began in His first advent will be fully realized in His second. Further, Israel will again be called His people when the time prophesied in Scripture comes about. A fuller explanation of what is meant in this verse will come in the verses ahead.

Life application: At the receiving the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai, it said, “the whole mountain quaked greatly.” This same sentiment is also recorded in the Psalms, giving more insight into the awesome display –

“O God, when You went out before Your people,
When You marched through the wilderness, Selah
⁸ The earth shook;
The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.” Psalm 68:7, 8

Imagine how awesome it was to stand and receive the Law at Sinai. Given the glory that was revealed then, it should be understood that Scripture testifies that what occurs for us in receiving the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord is even more awesome. What Israel received by sight, we receive by faith. And it is faith which is reckoned to us for righteousness under the New Covenant. Let us live by faith, and let us endeavor to hold fast to that faith no matter what difficulties lie ahead of us. We have a sure word, and the absolute hope of glory in what that word reveals – JESUS.

Lord God, when You shake the world, only that which is unshakable will remain. May our faith be strong and never shaken, and may we be a testimony to Your glory until Christ comes for us. And someday, the nations of the earth will endure the trial of Your purification before His second coming. May those who are wise realize what is happening and call out to You in faith. When the time of shaking comes, give Your people wisdom. Amen.

Wednesday, 1 May 2019

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, Hebrews 12:25

Here we have an exhortation which is tied directly to verse 12:19. There it said –

“…and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.”

The same word translated as “begged” there is now used twice in this verse and it is translated as “refuse.” The word signifies “to deprecate” or “to shun.” Those who were at Sinai begged for the voice to no longer speak to them, and they continued to do so implicitly throughout the entire time of the law, ignoring it, shunning it, and actively despising it. Now the author says, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks.”

The word of God is given, it has revealed Christ, and we are not to refuse it. It must be remembered at this point that the book is written to the Hebrews. They had refused the word, and they continued to refuse the word. In the end times, they are now – through this epistle – being implored to not refuse this word. However, using the term “we” is not inappropriate.

The word is given to the whole world. It is given to believers and unbelievers, but in particular, the book of Hebrews is directed to the Hebrew people. However, it contains truths which are for all. As it is specifically to the Hebrews though, the next words make complete sense, “For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth.”

A contrast is made to the previous words, “Him who speaks.” This is obviously referring to the One in heaven because He is being set in contrast to “Him who spoke on earth.” It takes the reader all the way back to the beginning of the epistle –

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.” Hebrews 1:1, 2

Therefore, the phrase, “Him who spoke on earth,” signifies the Law of Moses. First, it was spoken by God at Mount Sinai, a physical location. But afterward, it was spoken by God through Moses. In both, they refused Him who spoke on earth. Though the law is from God, it was transmitted in an earthly way, where the people could receive the word and act upon it as such. And yet, having this law received in this way, it availed them nothing.

They received judgment and punishment as is recorded from the incident of the golden calf, all the way through until the final words of the Old Testament. In this, “they did not escape.” Understanding this, the author then says, “much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven.”

This is speaking of Christ Jesus. He is the Man from heaven, and He is the Man who ascended again to heaven. His word established the New Covenant, and it is this which is to be received and acted upon.

The words, “turn away,” are a present participle and should say “turning away.” The thought is turning away from the New Covenant and back to Judaism, in whatever form – Torah observance, Talmud obedience, etc. The Hebrew people, in particular, are being addressed. But the truths extend to any who hear the Man from heaven and turn away from His voice.

The premise here is similar to that which has already been presented in Hebrews 2, where the same word, translated as “escape,” is used –

“For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, ³ how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, ⁴ God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” Hebrews 2:2-4

Life application: In the Bible, there seems to always be a sober reminder amidst the excitement. The last three verses have spoken of the heavenly Jerusalem, of joy in the future, and of the promise of being eternally with Jesus. However, this verse now reminds the Hebrew reader (and by extension all others) that this is not automatic. You may have been to a funeral at some point where the words, “He is in a better place now,” are spoken. It seems everyone in the box is “going to heaven” and everyone in the audience is a believer – but this isn’t so. Rather, we need to accept and not refuse God’s good purposes for us. Those who refused to obey after seeing the display at Mount Sinai “did not escape” and their bodies died in the wilderness. As Paul says elsewhere –

“…for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.” Romans 2:13

Life with Christ also involves a commitment. If someone spends his entire life sitting in church listening to the message and never accepting Christ’s pardon, then all that time was wasted. As it says, those who heard the Law of Moses and rejected it did not escape. As this is so, “much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven.” Let us think better thoughts though. You have heard the word of Christ, you have understood His mission, and certainly you won’t reject His offer. Be wise and understanding now, while you have breath, to follow the One who loves you so very much.

Thank You Lord for the offer, thank you for the promises, and thank you for our salvation through receiving what Christ Jesus has done! We know it is by Your great and powerful arm that we have been redeemed, and so we will follow where You lead all of our days. Glory to You, O God. Amen.

Tuesday, 30 April 2019

…to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. Hebrews 12:24

The author has been proclaiming the glory of what God has done in Christ, showing where the faithful have come to, each word building upon the next and contrasting that which was with that which now is. In the third and final verse of this continuing thought, he now says that you have come “to Jesus.”

His is the Name above every name, and that name to which all will someday bow. We have come to the Savior of the world and the bright light shining in the darkness. This great Man is the purpose and point of the faith, and without Him, there is only law leading to death and condemnation. But in Jesus, there is a better hope of glory because He is “the Mediator of the new covenant.”

The Greek reads, “the Mediator of a new covenant.” It is set in contrast to the Old Covenant. What was is exceeded by what is offered. The word “mediator” signified an arbitrator who guarantees the performance of each and every term which is stipulated in the covenant. It is he who works to bring peace between two parties in the fulfillment of the compact.

The word translated as “new” is used only here in this manner of describing this New Covenant. It is the word néos. It signifies something that was not there before. It is something recently discovered. The usual word to describe the New Covenant is kainós, new in quality. The difference is minimal, but it is one more of time rather than quality. However, the word is used elsewhere in the sense of quality as well. In the end, both terms are used to describe this covenant in the Bible, and thus it is a covenant which is both new in time and in quality.

The author then says, “and to the blood of sprinkling.” Here he introduces a new word to describe an Old Testament term into the New. He has already used another word to describe sprinkling, but this particular word is found only here and in 1 Peter 1:2. It is a part of the rites of the sacrificial system where the blood of a sacrificial animal was sprinkled in a certain way and at certain times. That is now applied to the blood of Christ, showing again that what Christ did is in fulfillment of those Old Covenant types and shadows, and it is superior to those.

In this sprinkling, the author says it “speaks better things than that of Abel.” The phrase should be rendered, “speaks better than Abel.” Here, the blood of Abel is personified, just as it was in the Genesis account –

“What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” Genesis 4:10

Christ’s blood speaks; Abel’s blood cried out. This is not referring to the blood of Abel’s sacrifice being better than the fruit of Cain’s offering. That was already explained in Chapter 11. Their offerings were accepted or not accepted based on the faith of the offering. But in the fallen world, where Abel died and His blood demanded punishment, Christ entered and shed His blood which was sprinkled for us in mercy and forgiveness. This is seen in type in the pattern set by the words of the last martyr of the Old Covenant, and the first recorded under the new –

“Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, ‘The Lord look on it, and repay!’” 2 Chronicles 24:22

“Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:60

The blood of Christ speaks better than the cries of Abel’s blood, and the witness of these faithful was recorded for us for this purpose. The law demands justice; Christ offers forgiveness. The scholar Delitzsch sums up his thoughts on Hebrews 12:22-24 with these words –

“What it was to which Israel in the time of the Old Covenant drew nigh, we have now heard. Their drawing nigh was at the same time a standing afar off; the mount of the revelation might not be approached by them; the voice of God was too terrible to be borne; and yet it was only tangible material nature in which God at once manifested and concealed Himself. The true and inner communion with God had not yet been revealed: first must the Law lead to the painful consciousness that sin prevents such communion, and intensify the longing that sin may be taken out of the way. Under the New Covenant, no longer is a tangible mountain the place of a divine revelation made from afar; but heaven is thrown open, and a new super-sensuous world in which God is enthroned is opened to admit us, opened through the Mediator of the New Covenant, accessible in virtue of His atoning blood” (Delitzsch).

The scholar Bengel then provides a list of the superior nature of what is presented in these verse concerning Christ –

————————-

Hebrews 12:22. Ἀλλὰ, but) A sevenfold opposition. Let us see the several points:

I. The mountain which was touched:
Mount Zion.

II. The fire that burned:
The city of the living GOD.

III. Blackness or mist:
Ten thousands (an innumerable company) of angels and of the first-born.

IV. Darkness:
GOD, the Judge of all.

V. Tempest:
The spirits of just men made perfect.

VI. The sound of a trumpet:
Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament

VII. The voice of words:
The blood of sprinkling speaking what is very good.

————————-

Life application: You have come to Jesus! Of all the joys we will experience in the ages to come, none will be more precious than coming to Jesus – first in faith, and then face to face. He established the New Covenant in His blood – through His death on the cross. It is the sprinkling of His blood which cleanses humanity from all sin. Abel’s blood was the first recorded to have been shed on earth and it came from a person whose sacrifice pleased God when offered. However, Abel inherited Adam’s sin nature when he was born and therefore his blood, along with all others who have died since then, was insufficient to restore fallen man. Jesus came into the world without sin and lived perfectly. Because of this, His blood was sufficient; His sacrifice could cleanse completely. Just as Moses “sprinkled” the people, the law, the tabernacle, and everything else with blood to purify those things, Jesus’ blood is said to have been “sprinkled” to bring us cleansing as well. As Peter records –

“To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” 1 Peter 1:1, 2

As you can see, Peter ties in a great deal with the sprinkling of Jesus’ blood. Without it, none of the other things mentioned could have occurred. But because of His sacrifice, we are sanctified through the work of the Spirit. Without Jesus’ death, no other good thing would be possible. And by His resurrection, we are assured of eternal life! What a wonderful Lord!

Lord God, it is hard for us to imagine just what Jesus went through on our behalf. The cross with its terrors is simply beyond our comprehension, and He went there willingly. May we never forget what You have done for us through the giving of Christ Jesus our Lord. Surely great praise belongs to You alone! Amen.

Monday, 29 April 2019

…to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, Hebrews 12:23

The author continues with the words of the previous verse concerning where believers have arrived when they come to God in Christ. As noted in the previous verse, there should be a comma after “to an innumerable company,” and then it should read with the word “angels” being connected to the first clause in this verse. Thus, it would say, “to a festal assembly of angels.” From there, it would continue with, “and church of the firstborn…” Though this is debated, and translations vary, this appears to be more in line with the intent of the passage.

In this construction, it would then show that both the angelic assembly and the church of the firstborn are gathered in one assembly, both meeting for a common purpose. The word translated as “general (festal) assembly” is only found here in Scripture. It signifies a general gathering to celebrate, or commemorate, an event. It is akin to the Feasts of the Lord found under the Old Covenant. There is one gathering of all people to come into the presence of God and rejoice in the works of God in Christ, and to hail the Lamb Slain, and the Risen Savior.

The words, “the firstborn who are registered in heaven,” connects believers to Christ who is called the Firstborn on several occasions in the New Testament, including Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15 & 18, Hebrews 1:6; and Revelation 1:5. In being united to Him, we share in His status, having moved from Adam to Christ. The thought goes back to Esau (Edom) who bartered away his status as the firstborn under his father Isaac, and which then transferred to Jacob (Israel). That looked forward to Christ’s attainment of that status when Adam lost his right to it, a concept described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15. For all, Jew and Gentile, who come to Christ, they are included in the spiritual heritage of Israel.

Next, the author says, “to God the Judge of all.” The Greek, more correctly, reads “to a Judge, who is God of all.” This is reflected in several translations, such as the Christian Standard Bible –

“…to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect.” CSB

This would then be in line with Daniel 7:9-14, where God sits as Judge over all humanity, and who then brings forth His Son as a testimony to that judgment. As Vincent’s Word Studies states it, “God of all his first-born, of those whom he chastens, of all who are in filial relations with him under both covenants, and who, therefore, need not fear to draw near to him as judge.”

The author finishes this verse with, “to the spirits of just men made perfect.” The words, “just men made perfect,” are based on the Greek word, teleioó. It signifies reaching the final stage after working through an entire process. It shows that only in the coming of Christ were all of the saints of old perfected. Man has gone through dispensations of time while God has slowly unveiled His redemptive plan. Christ is the focal point of all dispensations, and those who were prior to His coming did not receive the promise in those times. Instead, “God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:40).

Life application: Because of Jesus, we now have a restored relationship with the Creator Himself…we have come to God. And God, being judge of all men has the authority to save or destroy. In the case of those who follow Jesus, we are made perfect by His work. The pardon is given, the penalty removed, the transfer is made! How can one read this verse and not be excited enough to jump and shout! Praise be to God for what He has done through Christ on our behalf. Praise be to Jesus who has redeemed God’s people! Hallelujah and Amen!

Yes Lord! You have, through the precious Gift of Jesus, brought us to Yourself. As Your word says, “judgment begins at the house of the Lord,” but in the case of Your redeemed, it will be a judgment unto eternal life. How can we do anything but praise You! In the most awesome and glorious name of Jesus we pray! Amen.