Frequently we run across warnings as we go about our daily life. As we drive through the city there are traffic warnings, such as stop lights and railroad crossings. In some buildings there are warnings to not enter a certain room, perhaps because of radiation. Medications come with warnings. They are all around us, and it is wise to heed the warnings. Ignoring these warnings can bring dire consequences. In our Scripture today from the Book of Hebrews we have some warnings, warnings that are very important that we read and heed.
As our Scripture opens, the author describes a scene from the Jewish people’s past, when they were gathered around the base of Mt. Sinai when Moses ascended the mount to receive the Law from the hand of God (vs. 18-21). At that time there were dark clouds, lightning, fire, and the earth shook. They knew that this was a sacred place, a solemn event, and respected the warning that was given to not touch or come up the mountain. The voice of God sounded with such power it could not be stood by the people (Exodus 20:19, Deuteronomy 5:22-27). This portrays the holiness of God. To ignore that warning brought death.
We are told that as believers, we have come to Mt. Zion, not to Mt. Sinai. Mt. Sinai represents the Old Testament Law and of works. The beauty of Mt. Zion represents God’s grace and the believers' new life in Jesus (vs. 22-24). It is through Jesus that we are saved, not through the keeping of the Law. He is the Mediator of the New Covenant, and we must come to God through His shed Blood (vs. 24). There is no lasting blessing that can come to fallen man through the Old Testament Law. To those who do come through His Son Jesus, God has judged as perfectly justified in His sight, which is justification by faith (vs. 23).
Our author gives us a stern warning not to refuse or reject the Lord Jesus (vs. 25). There was judgment at Mt. Sinai, and to reject Jesus will be even worse. If we reject God’s Son, judgment is sure! The consequences of apostasy are dire. The judgment to be experienced and the expected terror is far in excess of that on Mt. Sinai. It is dangerous to refuse to hear the warning of God who speaks from heaven, for if those at Mt. Sinai did not escape God’s wrath, we surely will not escape.
When Jesus comes a second time, God will shake the earth, and no one will escape (vs. 26-27). At Mt. Sinai, God shook the earth. From Holy Zion, or heaven, He will shake the whole universe. Only faith in Jesus and His death on the Cross cannot be shaken. That alone will remain. Faith or trust in anything or anyone else will be destroyed.
What are you trusting to get you through this life? What are you trusting to get you to heaven? What rock are we building our life on? To those who put their trust in Jesus, there is a kingdom to be inherited that cannot be moved (vs. 28). It cannot fall apart. It will endure. We are safe if we are in Jesus’ kingdom, and do not need to fear. However, we should justly fear if we are outside of that kingdom. When everything else is being shaken, those within His kingdom will remain standing. Stop trusting the transitory defenses of this world, and the false hope of anything other than Jesus. He is completely unwavering and immovable. His is the only kingdom that will endure.
Our author ends with another serious warning, and that is that God is a consuming fire (vs. 29). God is loving, but He is also a consuming fire. He is not just some jolly Santa Claus-like figure, who winks when we do wrong. He will never condone any sin. We must worship Him acceptably and with reverence and awe. The fire of God will consume everything that is not of faith in Jesus and His death upon the Cross (I Corinthians 3:10-17).
Have you come to the sprinkled Blood of Jesus, shed upon the Cross of Calvary? (vs. 24). We don’t ask if you have come to a knowledge of doctrine, or an observance of ceremonies, or to any certain experience. The question is have you come to the Blood of Jesus? The Blood of Jesus is the only thing that will save our soul.
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