Hebrews 12:22 ...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.
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.
What proceeded this passage was a reminder of how things were, how they used to be before we had this opportunity to come to Christ. God thundered, the people feared, no one could even touch the Mountain of God. God gave the people the ten commandments so that we would clearly be able to see the sin in ourselves which separates us from Him. Have you ever lied...you're a liar. Have you ever stolen...you're a thief. Have you ever lusted...you are an adulterer. Have you loved God perfectly? You are a guilty sinner and cannot approach God in that state. He won't simply overlook our sin.
Exodus 19:12- ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’
But now because Christ has removed the barrier caused by sin (my sin), I can come to Him. I do not fear that he will put me to death for coming to Him, contrary, He calls me to come to Him, "Come unto me..." This is only possible because he paid the penalty for my sin through His death on the cross, so now God sees me with the righteousness that belongs to His son Jesus. I am grateful because I can come to him. I belong to the Kingdom, so I will not be shaken- nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Are you certain that when God shakes the earth and heavens you will stand? You can be sure... turn away from your sin and receive the pardon which he has offered... before it's too late. And if you already have, be grateful today.... and enjoy the festal gathering.
