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Rom 5:9; Col 1:20; Heb 10:19). coming (e.g., Isa 2:19; Joe 2:10-11; 3:16-17;
Mat 24:29; Rev 6:12-14) will be of such tre-
The Terms of the Warning mendous force that the tremor at Sinai will
(12:25-29) be comparatively imperceptible. Thirdly,
God could not give us any greater posi- like the sifting of wheat from the chaff,
tion, any nobler privileges or any richer the Lord will shake and remove all things
prospects in glory. This is, as the writer put shakable, so that what is unshakable will
it, “so great salvation” (2:3). But with great remain. This sifting is to be contemplated
privilege comes great responsibility. With daily, for all things transient, temporal
these infinitely glorious graces, the writer and not standing the test will be removed,
issues a most solemn warning: “See to it while things spiritual, scriptural and of
that you do not refuse Him who is speak-
ing” (v25 NASB). This enforces the burden eternal substance will abide.
of the letter and all its warning passages. Beloved, our hope is in “receiving a
It is to be taken seriously by all Christians kingdom which cannot be shaken” (v28
today and should not be dismissed as NKJV). With this glorious prospect before
being for apostates because of the harsh- us, we are exhorted to appropriate His
ness of the language (for with such God grace. To turn from the principle of grace
“speaketh unto … and scourgeth every to “weak and beggarly principles” (Gal
son,” vv5-6). 4:9 JND) is perilous. And since He has
The reasons why we must not refuse called us to “His kingdom and glory”
Him are laid out in three powerful con- (1Th 2:12), let us earnestly regulate our
trasts relative to speaking, shaking and walk in light of His word, His disciplin-
sifting. Firstly, to refuse God who spoke ing hand, the glorious position to which
on earth demanded a severe penalty, and
there was no escape (cf. 2:2; 10:28). But we have been brought by grace, the judg-
to wilfully refuse the Son whose blood is ment seat of Christ, and the ever-present
speaking from heaven (v24) is far more dangers that lead to the forfeiture of our
fearful and solemn, and “we” (emphatic) birthright privileges. A proper apprecia-
shall not escape (v25; cf. 2:3; 10:29). The tion of these truths will lead to “reverence
reason is because our heavenly position and godly fear” and priestly service that
and privileges under the New Covenant is well-pleasing to God (v28; cf. 5:7). He
have been made freely attainable on the who speaks has not changed – “our God
basis of His precious blood. Therefore, is a consuming fire” (v29, cited from Deu
willingly turning away from God who 4:24). All that is natural, temporal and su-
speaks through His Son (1:2) leads to in- perficial will be consumed (1Co 3:13-15).
escapable consequences far more serious Only His Word and that which is based
than for those who refused Him on earth. upon it will remain (Mat 24:35).
Secondly, the One whose voice “shook
the earth” at Sinai will once more, as He Let us embrace the psalmist’s resolve, “I
has promised, not only shake the earth but will hear what God the LORD will speak:
also heaven (v26, cited from Hag 2:6). The for he will speak peace unto his people,
agitation of earth and the heavenly realm and to his saints: but let them not turn
at the great tribulation and His second again to folly” (Psa 85:8).

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