"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire."
Q1: How is God's speaking in the new covenant different that his speaking in the old covenant? How does the author use the heaven earth contrast to draw out these distinctions?
In the old covenant, God largely spoke through prophets and the law of moses. In the new covenant, God still speaks through these, but now also through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Moses spoke from earth, and was a messenger of God. Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father and he has spoken to us directly through the Gospels and the Holy Spirit.
Q2:The writer of Hebrews identifies God as a speaking God throughout his letter. Why is it important that we remember that our God speaks to his people? What does it meant to reject his words? How is the word he has spoken through Jesus Christ a message of both grace and judgement?
To ignore or refuse God is sin. To reject his words is to reject his lordship. The gospel of Christ is a message of both grace and judgement because our sin damns us and only through Christ can we obtain the grace and mercy of our salvation. To reject that grace and continue in rebellion is to embrace the wrath of God.
Q3: What is significant about the author's usage of the verbs reject and escape? What do these words tell us about the relationship between the gospel and God's wrath? About man's response to the Gospel?
The Gospel is a way of escape from God's wrath. If we reject it we have no hope of escaping God's wrath.
Q4: Many christian and non-christians have a difficult time comprehending God's wrath. Why must we talk about God's wrath when we talk about the gospel? Why is God's wrath an essential component of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Why must we take God's wrath against sin and sinners seriously?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is easier to refuse mercy and grace when we do not believe that we need them. Sinners should understand that we are doomed, damned and in danger of hell. The trip is short and the stay eternal. There is no time to take such a serious situation as a light matter. That being said, Mohler cautions in the text against taking the gospel as fire insurance. I think that just as a gospel is incomplete which ignores or diminishes our damnation, so too is one that fails to touch on the infinite joy offered by the glorious gospel of Christ by which we may become, not merely friends of God, but sons of God.
Q5: Why does the author refer to Sinai and quote Haggai 2? What truth is he driving home by making these references? What does God's shaking of the heavens and earth represent? What does the phrase, "yet once more" signal?
Let me begin my answer by stressing that I am a layman and I encourage you dear reader to seek the Holy Spirit in prayer and also to consult the body of Christ and particularly our pastors and ministers in considering these questions. But it seems to me, and I believe that I depart from Mohler here, that the writer is addressing Hebrew Christians who are under pressure from the larger, 1st century Jewish community, to return to orthodoxy in rejection of The Way. There is both a historical context and a spiritual meaning for us today.
Within that historical context, the Olivet Discourse is close to fulfillment. The earth shook at the giving of the law to Moses. Now the heavens and earth will shake. I believe this is a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The vision given to Joseph depicts Israel and Rachel as the sun and moon. The children of Israel as Stars. Jacob and Joseph clearly agree on the interpretation and Jacob is offended by the dream. This fits too with God telling Abraham that his descendents would be like the stars. So when the author of Hebrews warns the readers not to return to Judaism it is a two fold warning. On the one hand, their damnation for rejecting God, by their rejection of Christ. On the other, what is the point, when the end of the theocracy to which they were returning was just as at hand as their damnation. It profits a man nothing to gain the world and lose his soul. The author is warning that the apostate will lose both in this case.
Now there is a blending of the historical and spiritual significance. The kingdom of David is transferred to the throne of Christ. Who as a descendent of David has right to it, but as a greater Lord whose kingdom will not end. I believe this is why the author refers to the prophecy of Haggai. Christ, when challenged by the rulers of the temple on what authority he was doing such things, was demanded sign. Christ told them to tear down the temple and in three days he would rebuild it. The gospel writers understood him to be referring to himself, his body, death and resurrection. In the sign, Christ is the temple! This is also fitting with the vision of John as recorded in Revelation 21:22.
Let us consider the passage in Haggai to which the author refers. "For the Lord of Armies says this: "Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land, I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all will come, and I will fill this house with glory." This is the spiritual significance. The sea and the dry land refer to both the promised land and the Jewish people (the dry land) and the gentiles, and their kingdoms( the sea). The passage gives us the interpretation as it clarifies, "I will shake all nations." God is going to bring in the treasure (the lives of the saints are precious in his sight) from all nations into his kingdom (the kingdom of God is at hand). This is why the "yet once more" is important. This is a final shaking. All will be shaken. All will be burned away. Only what is of worth will be left and taken into the temple. There will be an end. "Yet once more" suggest to us that this is the last time. Just, only, once more. All kingdoms, save one end. His kingdom is forever.
Q6: How does the promise of God's impending judgement motivate you to live a holy life and continue receiving his word today? How does it lead you to offer acceptable service to God and worship him?
The fear of punishment is a motivation to holy living. And the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is wise to offer acceptable service to God and to worship him. However, fear is not the only part of this story. I am faithful to my wife because I fear the consequences if I am not. But I am also faithful to my wife because I love her. Fear may begin, but Love completes and finishes. I am faithful to wife when there is no danger of discovery, in the inner halls of my heart, because I adore her. I played a video game once. There was a cartoonish figure of a female orc, nubile and completely unnecessary in a fantasy, combat game. Satan and my sinful nature would tempt me. Nature noted it's curves. I was guarded by my love for my wife. Here was no woman. No witness. My heart could have indulged without the courts of human opinion to judge me. No one would ever know. But I averted my eyes, and the thought of my heart turned to my wife. None other deserves my desire. It is hers as I am hers. Love keeps me from lust. The game was discarded as a dangerous idol. We do better to destroy such things before they win someone over. God created marriage. One purpose for which is to be a reflection of the relationship between Christ and his Church. The family is both a blessing and a crucible. It educates and shapes us, to His glory and purpose if we will allow it. No parent can raise their child with just fear of punishment or just loving kindness. And God does not either. Fear may safeguard and anchor a holy life, a listening heart, acceptable service and worship. But love deepens the soul that does such things and causes such service to thrive.
Q7: Why does the author encourage his people to be grateful about receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken? How does the promise of God's unshakable kingdom and it's certain triumph encourage to endure in the faith, even in the midst of today's increasing hostility towards Christians.
It was Jim Elliot who said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." It is good to reflect upon the glory of God and his Kingdom so that we can celebrate to the end and obtain what we cannot lose.
Q8: Why must reverence and awe characterize true Christian worship? What does it mean to worship God with reverence and awe? How does Romans 12:1 help us to understand what it means to offer acceptable service?
I think the more we understand the infinite glory of God and the gift of our salvation the more it tends toward a joyful reverence filled with awe. Romans reminds us that we are not our own, but that we are now to take up our cross and follow Christ, becoming living sacrifices.
In the old covenant, God largely spoke through prophets and the law of moses. In the new covenant, God still speaks through these, but now also through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Moses spoke from earth, and was a messenger of God. Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father and he has spoken to us directly through the Gospels and the Holy Spirit.
Q2:The writer of Hebrews identifies God as a speaking God throughout his letter. Why is it important that we remember that our God speaks to his people? What does it meant to reject his words? How is the word he has spoken through Jesus Christ a message of both grace and judgement?
To ignore or refuse God is sin. To reject his words is to reject his lordship. The gospel of Christ is a message of both grace and judgement because our sin damns us and only through Christ can we obtain the grace and mercy of our salvation. To reject that grace and continue in rebellion is to embrace the wrath of God.
Q3: What is significant about the author's usage of the verbs reject and escape? What do these words tell us about the relationship between the gospel and God's wrath? About man's response to the Gospel?
The Gospel is a way of escape from God's wrath. If we reject it we have no hope of escaping God's wrath.
Q4: Many christian and non-christians have a difficult time comprehending God's wrath. Why must we talk about God's wrath when we talk about the gospel? Why is God's wrath an essential component of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Why must we take God's wrath against sin and sinners seriously?
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is easier to refuse mercy and grace when we do not believe that we need them. Sinners should understand that we are doomed, damned and in danger of hell. The trip is short and the stay eternal. There is no time to take such a serious situation as a light matter. That being said, Mohler cautions in the text against taking the gospel as fire insurance. I think that just as a gospel is incomplete which ignores or diminishes our damnation, so too is one that fails to touch on the infinite joy offered by the glorious gospel of Christ by which we may become, not merely friends of God, but sons of God.
Q5: Why does the author refer to Sinai and quote Haggai 2? What truth is he driving home by making these references? What does God's shaking of the heavens and earth represent? What does the phrase, "yet once more" signal?
Let me begin my answer by stressing that I am a layman and I encourage you dear reader to seek the Holy Spirit in prayer and also to consult the body of Christ and particularly our pastors and ministers in considering these questions. But it seems to me, and I believe that I depart from Mohler here, that the writer is addressing Hebrew Christians who are under pressure from the larger, 1st century Jewish community, to return to orthodoxy in rejection of The Way. There is both a historical context and a spiritual meaning for us today.
Within that historical context, the Olivet Discourse is close to fulfillment. The earth shook at the giving of the law to Moses. Now the heavens and earth will shake. I believe this is a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The vision given to Joseph depicts Israel and Rachel as the sun and moon. The children of Israel as Stars. Jacob and Joseph clearly agree on the interpretation and Jacob is offended by the dream. This fits too with God telling Abraham that his descendents would be like the stars. So when the author of Hebrews warns the readers not to return to Judaism it is a two fold warning. On the one hand, their damnation for rejecting God, by their rejection of Christ. On the other, what is the point, when the end of the theocracy to which they were returning was just as at hand as their damnation. It profits a man nothing to gain the world and lose his soul. The author is warning that the apostate will lose both in this case.
Now there is a blending of the historical and spiritual significance. The kingdom of David is transferred to the throne of Christ. Who as a descendent of David has right to it, but as a greater Lord whose kingdom will not end. I believe this is why the author refers to the prophecy of Haggai. Christ, when challenged by the rulers of the temple on what authority he was doing such things, was demanded sign. Christ told them to tear down the temple and in three days he would rebuild it. The gospel writers understood him to be referring to himself, his body, death and resurrection. In the sign, Christ is the temple! This is also fitting with the vision of John as recorded in Revelation 21:22.
Let us consider the passage in Haggai to which the author refers. "For the Lord of Armies says this: "Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land, I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all will come, and I will fill this house with glory." This is the spiritual significance. The sea and the dry land refer to both the promised land and the Jewish people (the dry land) and the gentiles, and their kingdoms( the sea). The passage gives us the interpretation as it clarifies, "I will shake all nations." God is going to bring in the treasure (the lives of the saints are precious in his sight) from all nations into his kingdom (the kingdom of God is at hand). This is why the "yet once more" is important. This is a final shaking. All will be shaken. All will be burned away. Only what is of worth will be left and taken into the temple. There will be an end. "Yet once more" suggest to us that this is the last time. Just, only, once more. All kingdoms, save one end. His kingdom is forever.
Q6: How does the promise of God's impending judgement motivate you to live a holy life and continue receiving his word today? How does it lead you to offer acceptable service to God and worship him?
The fear of punishment is a motivation to holy living. And the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is wise to offer acceptable service to God and to worship him. However, fear is not the only part of this story. I am faithful to my wife because I fear the consequences if I am not. But I am also faithful to my wife because I love her. Fear may begin, but Love completes and finishes. I am faithful to wife when there is no danger of discovery, in the inner halls of my heart, because I adore her. I played a video game once. There was a cartoonish figure of a female orc, nubile and completely unnecessary in a fantasy, combat game. Satan and my sinful nature would tempt me. Nature noted it's curves. I was guarded by my love for my wife. Here was no woman. No witness. My heart could have indulged without the courts of human opinion to judge me. No one would ever know. But I averted my eyes, and the thought of my heart turned to my wife. None other deserves my desire. It is hers as I am hers. Love keeps me from lust. The game was discarded as a dangerous idol. We do better to destroy such things before they win someone over. God created marriage. One purpose for which is to be a reflection of the relationship between Christ and his Church. The family is both a blessing and a crucible. It educates and shapes us, to His glory and purpose if we will allow it. No parent can raise their child with just fear of punishment or just loving kindness. And God does not either. Fear may safeguard and anchor a holy life, a listening heart, acceptable service and worship. But love deepens the soul that does such things and causes such service to thrive.
Q7: Why does the author encourage his people to be grateful about receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken? How does the promise of God's unshakable kingdom and it's certain triumph encourage to endure in the faith, even in the midst of today's increasing hostility towards Christians.
It was Jim Elliot who said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." It is good to reflect upon the glory of God and his Kingdom so that we can celebrate to the end and obtain what we cannot lose.
Q8: Why must reverence and awe characterize true Christian worship? What does it mean to worship God with reverence and awe? How does Romans 12:1 help us to understand what it means to offer acceptable service?
I think the more we understand the infinite glory of God and the gift of our salvation the more it tends toward a joyful reverence filled with awe. Romans reminds us that we are not our own, but that we are now to take up our cross and follow Christ, becoming living sacrifices.
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