While studying Revelation in #BSF this week and reading about the seven bowls of judgment in chapter 16, I was stopped by this verse: "And a great earthquake struck—the worst since people were placed on the earth."
Mankind has seen some pretty horrific earthquakes in our time on earth. But none, the Bible says, compares to the one coming when God unleashes His final judgment. As I continued to study over the next two days, the word "unshaken" kept returning to me, along with a verse I could almost remember, yet...didn't.
Finally, I sat down and did some searching and found the verses I was trying to recall. They were SUCH an encouragement, especially in light of how the kingdom of darkness will someday will be shaken to its core and thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, when all evil and wrongdoing will be judged accordingly by God's justice and sovereignty.
The verses are from Hebrews 12...
"Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: "Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also."
This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is UNSHAKABLE, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire." (Hebrews 11:25-29)
God is merciful AND just. The two attributes go hand-in-hand. And, as believers in Christ, we're eternally grateful.
Among all your reading this week, be sure to read the most important book of all—His. What encouragement—or conviction—has God's Word given you this week?
