25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Those wavering at the edge of belief and apostasy were being pressure away from making that full commitment by neglect (they just kept putting it off), unbelief, impatience (expecting more than God was showing them), tradition and now fear of persecution.
The writer first indicated that they shouldn't be afraid of persecution or other struggles, because it is a sign of God's love and of their sonship.
He then urged them not to be afraid because they were not coming to Sinai (the law, judgment, fear, wrath) but to Zion (grace, forgiveness, joy).
Sinai is man becoming aware of his terrible sinfulness in the face of the holiness of God almighty.
That is Sinai, guilty, vile sinner trembling at the foot of a mighty, awesome, terrifying God. (MarcArthur)
In stark contrast, we have Mount Zion. How did it "start"? King David brought the ark of God to Zion and it became known as the dwelling place of God - where people could bring their offerings and God would forgive on the basis of their faith demonstrated through their offering. Zion represents grace.
So, to come to Christ is to come to Zion, which is to come to grace. It's to come to the living city of Jerusalem, which is to come to peace and safety. It's to come and join with angels in celebration, which is to come to worship. It is to come to join the church of the firstborn (all Christians are firstborns because they are heirs in Christ), which is fellowship.
And you can come into the presence of God, the judge of all men, because Jesus is your advocate. You also come and join the saints that have gone before and have now been made perfect (Moses, Elijah, Samuel, David) and you are considered one with them. You come to Jesus our mediator, and you come to the blood of Jesus that was sprinkled perfectly for your sin and was accepted (like Abel's was).
Our choice is Sinai or Zion. Because we will be judged. We will be judged either on the basis of our works (of which every single one of us will fail disastrously, as only absolute perfection is acceptable) or we will be judged through Jesus, our advocate of grace. How do we want to come to God? Through Sinai or through Zion? The choice should be obvious!
And that's what our passage today is about. What will you choose? What will you do about it?
When God spoke from Mount Sinai, and they refused God - every single one of them died in the wilderness. It will be even worse for those who refuse God who speaks through Jesus Christ. Even worse. God shook the world at Sinai, but He's going to shake the entire universe when He comes in judgement. Everything in the universe will be destroyed except that which is eternal.
So choose. Get over your neglect, your unbelief, your impatience, your traditions and your fear. Recognize that two choices lay before you - Sinai and Zion.
Choose Zion!
Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 12:28-29
1 comment:
Great post, Tammy! Sorry, I fell behind a little.
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