Will You Survive the Shaking?

Paul spoke in Hebrews 12 about running the Christian race. He said that we need to lay aside all the weights of sin, that would hold us back and look to Jesus who will help us to finish the race. He spoke of the suffering of Christ as our example. Although we suffer for the gospel, most of will never suffer to the point of shedding our blood. We should not despise the chastisement of the Lord. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6). When we endure God’s chastening, then we are his children, just like earthly fathers chastise their children. Most people don’t like to be disciplined, but it helps us in the long run. Paul urged us to live at peace with others and to avoid bitterness.

“lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:16). Esau’s trading of his birthright set the scene for his brother, Jacob to steal his father’s blessing. Jacob ruled over Esau and lived in the covenant blessing of Abraham. Paul also recalled Mount Sion where Isreal gathered and were afraid after hearing the voice of the Lord. “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven” (Hebrews 12:25). The voice of God shook the earth and he has promised once again, to shake the earth and heaven.

This final shaking will remove the things that are shaken, and only those things that cannot be shaken will remain. There was recently an earthquake in the world, which claimed many lives. People spoke after the earthquake about poor construction of some buildings, which crumbled during the quake. It seems that they were suggesting that buildings which had a stronger foundation, survived. Earthquakes are some of the most dangerous natural disasters, that affect the earth and leads to destruction. The shaking which Paul and other prophets speak of, is not an earthquake or a volcano. There will be a final shaking before this heaven and earth passes away.

Until then, God will at times shake the world to shift systems, cultures, economies and even the body of Christ. These shakings are to bring about change, transformation and revival. God will first shake the church, because we cannot continue with business as usual. There is an end time harvest which needs to be gathered and lukewarmness will be shaken out of the church. World systems and political structures will change. Organisations will see a major transformation and a shift in leadership structures. Only those who are planted firmly in Christ will withstand the shaking.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24).

A.P.-Y.

Published
February 27, 2023