1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses," (1a) “Some teach that the Old Testament saints are spectators of us and that they look upon us now from heaven. Dean Alford also states that they are lookers on and adds 'Whosoever denies such reference, misses, it seems to me, the very point of the sense.' Others have gone so far as to say that they not only look on but help the believer in his conflict on earth. But this view is unscriptural. We know that angels are spectators (1 Corinthians 4:9; 1 Corinthians 11:10); angels are ministering spirits to minister unto the heirs of salvation, but the disembodied spirits of the righteous are neither spectators nor do they minister to the saints on earth. The preceding chapter contains 'the cloud of witness'; they witness to us by their lives and the victory of their faith and this is the encouragement for us." (Arno Gaebelein)
"let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and the sin which so easily ensnares us," (1b) “Like the Grecian and Roman racers, who laid aside their cumbersome garments, so as they might more easily and lightly run their race; in allusion to which, it is the concern of every Christian to lay aside, or put away, all his worldly cumbrances, which would clog him in his race, his corrupt self, the world,… (Matthew Poole)
"There are two classes of impediments to be avoided by the successful contender in the race of life, the FIRST of these being 'weights,' as mentioned here. This class of hindrance includes just about everything that can get in the way, or impede the Christian contender's progress. Things not bad at all in themselves, but which, in the last analysis, hinder the work of the child of God must all be cast aside. Just as the runner in a race travels as lightly as possible, the Christians must avoid being weighted down with all kinds of worldly duties and commitments. What do Christians do with their time? There is the vacation cottage, the fraternal lodge, the club, the political party, the yacht, the alumni organization, the board of directors, the governing committee, the bridge club, the country club, the volunteer group, the P.T.A., the board of elections, the chamber of commerce, and a list of associations for almost any conceivable purpose, many of them no doubt worthy - but whatever one's views about any or all such things, one fact is certain, no man can do all that and be a good Christian too! Far too many children of the King allow their time, talent, and money to be preempted by secondary things, things that must be recognized as 'weights,' when understood in the light of their effect on dedication to Christ and his cause on earth." (Burton Coffman)
"Each Christian has to decide for himself, by an honest searching of Scripture and an earnest seeking of wisdom from God, what are ‘weights’ which hinder him...” (A. W. Pink)
“and the sin which so easily ensnares us”— “which always so clings to us” (Martin Luther)— “This is the SECOND class of hindrance the Christian contender must avoid. It refers to conduct inherently unrighteous, which is always a mortal enemy of faith..." (Burton Coffman) It includes things which we know are contrary to the teaching of God in His Word. As Christians, we learn right from wrong, but within us is “the corrupt nature, which remaineth in every Christian, styled by Paul, the body of death, Romans 7:24.” (Matthew Poole) “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17) As you learn, obey.
"and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” “It is the old race from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, from ruin to regeneracy, from sin to full salvation. Sometimes it is called a journey. Even that is a figure full of interest, as denoting a purpose, a progress, an end. But here it rises to its full strength, to its full dignity, and is called a race. A race, if it is at all worthy of the name, is a straining from beginning to end. Let no man think that the Christian life is easy. When things get so low with any one that the strenuous imagery of this passage seems to have no application, that man has no evidence, or he can have very little, and that most precarious, that he is a runner at all.” (A. Raleigh, Penny Pulpit)
“looking unto Jesus, “not merely as an example, but also as the Author and Finisher of faith and of all which was needed for perseverance in duty, even to eternal life." (Justin Edwards) ”who for the joy that was set before Him”— “the joy; of redeeming multitudes which no man can number from eternal sinning and suffering, and raising them to eternal holiness and bliss." (Justin Edwards)— “endured the cross, despising”— “disesteeming” or “thinking lightly of” (Pink)— “the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (2)
"The cloud of witnesses is not the object on which our heart is fixed. They testify… [of Him] and we cherish their memory with gratitude, and walk with a firmer step because of the music of their lives. Our eye, however, is fixed, not on many, but on One; not on the army, but the Leader; not on the servants, but the Lord. We see Jesus only, and from Him we derive our true strength, even as He is our Light of life.” (Adolph Saphir)
“When looking at Jesus, the new man is active; there is a new object, which unburdens and detaches us from every other by means of a new affection which has its place in a new nature: and in Jesus Himself, to whom we look, there is a positive power which sets us free.” (J.N. Darby) Thus allow Him to dwell in your hearts by faith for He ever lives to make intercession for the saints, according to the will of God. (Hebrews 7:25)
Hebrews 12: Endure That Blessed Chastening Unto Salvation
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” [Proverbs 3:11,12] 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Paul addresses the biblical issue of suffering for righteousness sake. They were becoming wearied by it and many had returned to Judaism. Will you be discouraged for the world’s reaction to your doctrine— that morning manna— which the Lord has given you, revealing to you His very truth? Will you conform to critics, returning to mainstream theology, looking only for man’s “amens” and praises. It is a sin to even resist this suffering.
Paul had given them many examples to follow which means that they were not reacting rightly to persecution. Now he set the Ultimate Example before them: “For consider Him”— Jesus— "Attentively reflect on His example that you may be able to bear your trials in a proper manner.’ —who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself— The reference is to the Jews of the time of the Saviour, who opposed His plans, perverted His sayings, and ridiculed His claims. Yet, regardless of their opposition, He persevered in the course which He had marked out, and went patiently forward in the execution of His plans. The idea is, that we are to pursue the path of duty and follow the dictates of conscience, let the world say what they will about it. In doing this we cannot find a better example than the Saviour. No opposition of sinners ever turned Him from the way which he regarded as right; no ridicule ever caused Him to abandon any of His plans; no argument, or expression of scorn, ever caused Him for a moment to deviate from His course.” (Albert Barnes)—“lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."- the word in the original is 'souls,' not 'minds.'..." as some. (Cambridge Greek Testament) "Its primary meaning is 'that which breathes.'" (Daniel Knauft)-- the whole person. The danger here is the turning away of persons from the faith.
"Jeremiah also was so disheartened that he was ready to say he would speak no more in the name of the Lord... So difficult is it to walk by faith, and live by faith, and keep up a close communion with God. Under persecutions and reproaches, worldly losses or the loss of friends, we are apt to sink and die; many indeed have fainted under such circumstances, and walked the ways of God no more." (Joseph Sutcliffe)
“You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” (4) You have not yet been called as Christ was to suffer death for resisting sin in your reaction to persecution. Yet: “You may do, and must look to do. And if you cannot endure words for Christ, how will you endure wounds?” (Trapp)
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of Yahweh, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom Yahweh loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ [Proverbs 3:11,12]” (5-6) "This exhortation by Solomon is based on a truth that is in force under all ages of the world, hence Paul cites it and applies it to the servants of God in the Christian Dispensation. ‘Despise not’ denotes that they should not belittle or disrespect the correction.” (E.M. Zerr) Paul says in effect, "don’t resist my gentle reproof to you. Hereto you have reacted badly to opposition. Behave as Jesus did and stay the course as He did, even unto death."
“Chastisement for sin is a family mark, a sign of sonship, a proof of God’s love, a token of His Fatherly kindness and care; it is an inestimable mercy, a choice new-covenant blessing. Woe to the man whom God chastens not, whom He suffers to go recklessly on in the boastful and presumptuous security which so many now mistake for faith. There is a reckoning to come of which he little dreams. Were he a son, he would be chastened for his sin; he would be brought to repentance and godly sorrow, he would with grief of heart confess his sins, and then be blest with pardon and peace.” (A. W. Pink) React rightly, now, submitting to suffering for righteousness sake- rejoice! Peter adds: “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’ (Isaiah 8:12) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:14b-17)
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful.” (1a) “Yet it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness - holiness and happiness— to them that are exercised thereby - that receive this exercise as from God, and improve it according to His will.” (John Wesley)
Morning Repost: Hebrews 12: Get Back to Work
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
Get back to your particular calling, whatever it is. I often feel like giving up, due to the response- the lack of “likes” or regard for my efforts, but Jesus renews me minute by minute, by His Word. Thus Paul further admonishes:
“Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down,”— "used to describe the children of Israel in the days when they wished to abandon the rigours of the journey across the wilderness and to return to the ease and the fleshpots of Egypt." (William Barclay) "and the feeble knees,” “Make one effort to invigorate the flaccid muscles which should be so tense in the struggle in which you are engaged." (Cambridge Greek Testament) “These are exhorted to exert themselves, and take courage, with the assurance that they shall infallibly conquer if they persevere.” (Adam Clarke) “and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”(13) "The idea is, adhere firmly to the strict rules of duty; if any deviation is allowed, it may prove a fatal snare to human frailty." (Abbott's NT) "Let them see the way before them in the light of the Scriptures so that they run in the true way along straight paths. Let them get their understanding of its teaching straightened out in accordance with what he has written to them. Let them respond to God and thus be made whole, and be fully restored." (Peter Pett)
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
“Purses peace with all people” (14a)
“Men are so born that they all seem to shun peace; for all study their own interest, seek their own ways, and care not to accommodate themselves to the ways of others. Unless then we strenuously labor to follow peace, we shall never retain it; for many things will happen daily affording occasion for discords. This is the reason why the apostle bids us to follow peace, as though he had said, that it ought not only to be cultivated as far as it may be convenient to us, but that we ought to strive with all care to keep it among us. And this cannot be done unless we forget many offenses and exercise mutual forbearance.” (John Calvin)
“and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (14b)
“The believer may fail to ‘peace with all men,’ and though he will suffer loss thereby and bring himself under the chastening rod of his Father, yet this will not entail the loss of Heaven itself. But it is otherwise with holiness: unless we are made partakers of the Divine nature, unless there be personal devotedness to God, unless there be an earnest striving after conformity to His will, then Heaven will never be reached… Without holiness no man shall see Him: no, no matter how orthodox his beliefs, how diligent his attendance upon the means of grace, how liberal he may be in contributing to the cause, nor how zealous in performing religious duties... let it be pointed out that our text does not say ‘without the perfection of holiness no man shall see the Lord.’… There is none upon earth who is fully conformed to God’s will. Practical holiness is a matter of growth…. holiness will only be matured in glory. At present it exists more in the form of longings and strivings, hungerings and efforts, rather than in realizations and attainments.” (A. W. Pink)
“Some who have aimed at holiness have made the great mistake of supposing it needful to be gloomy, contentious, faultfinding, and censorious with everybody else. Their holiness has consisted of negatives, protests, and oppositions for oppositions sake… Courtesy is not inconsistent with faithfulness. It is not needful to be savage in order to be sanctified. A bitter spirit is a poor companion for a renewed heart. Let your determination principle be sweetened by tenderness towards your fellow-men. Be resolute for the right, but be also gentle, pitiful, courteous. Consider the meekness as well as the boldness of Jesus.” (Spurgeon)
“looking carefully lest anyone fall etc.;” " "lest he apostatize, and lose 'the grace of God;'" (Abbott's New Testament) “lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;” (15)
Know you not that a little leaven, leaven the whole lump? (Galatians 5:9) “Look diligently denotes the idea of being careful how one conducts himself, otherwise he may get out of the right path and fall from the grace or favor of God. Root of bitterness means a feeling of hatred towards others, which could be only a source of trouble among disciples that would spread defilment among them.” (E.M. Zerr)
“lest there be any fornicator”— going after other gods— "or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.” (16) Esau is called a profane, "because, as a prophetic blessing went with the birthright, there was a most profane contempt of it in the infamous bargain here referred to: and as an eagerness in the gratification of appetite would naturally imply a contempt of spiritual and divine blessings, sacrificed to such gratifications; it was properly expressed by profaneness… The apostle keeps in view the point of falling from the grace of God; which if any man do, it may be no more in his power to retrieve it, than it was in Esau's to recover the blessing which he had despised.” (Thomas Coke)
17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
“For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing"- that desired birthright- "he was rejected,” (17a) “And you know that afterwards, when he was desirous to inherit the benediction, he was judged unworthy of it; nor could he find any way to change the mind of Isaac.” (Heylon) "That first act (Genesis 25:33) could not be recalled, but brought with it a loss which nothing could retrieve.” (Charles John Ellicott)
"for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears." (17b) "Tears they were of discontent, for he cries and at same time threatens his brother Jacob. Some weep for… revenge and in hypocrisy, as Esau here, who rued his deed, but repented not his sin.” (John Trapp)
Esau was not destined to damnation. Paul "is not talking about his eternal state. He is making a comparison between the loss of his birthright through folly, with the greater danger of others of losing everything through folly, and stressing how such a situation can become irrevocable. Esau could still repent of his sin and find forgiveness before God, but there was no way in which he could bring about a change of mind concerning his birthright. He had lost it permanently. The danger, however, for those who ‘despise’ Christ is that they may truly reach a stage where they themselves are lost forever." (Peter Pett) We can only come if He draws.
Morning Repost: Hebrews 12 The Supremacy of Sion over Sinai
18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” [Exodus 19:12, 13] 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”[Deuteronomy 9:19])
You have not come to the mountain that may not be touch. "A ‘mount’ is a thing of the earth; whereas the glory of Christianity is entirely celestial. The passage which most clearly interprets this clause is found in our Lord’s discourse with the woman at the well: ‘Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father... But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth’ (John 4:21, 23)."(A. W. Pink)
In contrast, "Esau sought the blessing on the ground of mere human rights, with no repentance: this would be in principle coming to Mount Sinai, where one must expect to meet with the most forbidding, repelling anger of God. Merely touching the mount meant death. Fire signified the burning holiness of God in judgment. Blackness and darkness denotes the utter absence of light in any mere legal position as before God: while the tempest indicates a state of troubled unrest. The sound of the trumpet and the voice of words is the ringing declaration of truth without mercy, which implanted awful fear in the hearts of the hearers. They could not endure what was commanded. Note too that even a beast, which is not a morally evil creature, could not approach the mount: indeed no creature… can approach the holy presence of God on the basis of creature merit: how much less man, who is sinful! Even Moses, the mediator, type of Christ, was filled with quaking fear. In all of this too it is most striking that no form is seen, and no face: God is hidden. This is the mount to which Israel came, where they received the law..." (L. M. Grantt)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
“BUT YOU HAVE COME”— by study, prayer and worship- all means of grace, as “this world with all its impermanence, its fears, its mysteries, its separations goes and life for the Christian is made new.” (William Barclay)
1— “to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (22a) — which is to be renewed at the consummation. "Some one asked a Scotchman if he was on his way to heaven. ‘Why, man,’ he said, ‘I live there.’ He was only a pilgrim here.” (D. L. Moody) The contrast between Sinai and Zion: “The former was located in one of the dreariest and driest places on earth, a ‘howling desert’; the other was situated in the midst of that land which flowed with milk and honey. The one was ugly, barren, forbidding; the other was ‘beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth.’ Sinai was enveloped in ‘blackness and darkness,’ while Zion signified ‘sunny’ or ‘shone upon.’ God came down on Sinai for only a brief moment, but He dwells in Zion ‘forever.’” (A. W. Pink)
2— “to… an innumerable company of angels” (22b)— "It was the glory of the old testament church to be frequently visited by the celestial host, who seemed to make a part of their society. The law was given through the ministry of angels. Prophets were often furnished with messages by their agency, and supported by them under various discouragements. This honour put upon the jewish church seems to have stumbled the Hebrew converts, who on not beholding the christian church invested with it, were for drawing back to the ancient glory. Paul however reminds them, that though the gospel was not introduced by the ministry of angels, it ‘first began to be spoken by the Lord,’ who was infinitely their superior, and was afterwards confirmed by divers signs and miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost: Hebrews 2:3-4. And though there is now no visible appearance of the holy angels, yet our fellowship with them is not suspended, nor have their kind offices ceased. 'Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?'" (Joseph Sutcliffe)
3— “to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven," (23a) — the congregation of the redeemed— the holy catholic or universal church, "which consists only of God's elect, and of all of them, in all times and places; and reaches even to the saints in heaven: this church is invisible at present, and will never fail; of which Christ is the head, and for which he has given Himself." (John Gill) "The Jews gave the title בכור bechor, firstborn, to those who were very eminent or excellent; what we would term the head or top of his kin. The Church of the firstborn is the assembly of the most excellent... who are enrolled as citizens of the New Jerusalem, and are entitled to all the rights, privileges, and immunities of the Church here, and of heaven above.” (Adam Clarke)
4— “to God the Judge of all” (23b)— “who will pronounce the final sentence on all mankind.” (Barnes) “Christians draw nigh to Him with holy boldness because His Law has nothing against them; the requirements of His justice were fully met by Christ. How great is the privilege of that state which enables poor sinners, called by the Gospel, to approach the Judge of all upon His ‘bench’ or throne without fear! ” (A. W. Pink)
5—“to the spirits of just men made perfect,“ (23c) even that heavenly number— "who await in God’s presence the resurrection of the just." (Justin Edwards). "The number includes not Christians alone, but all of them who in prior dispensations did the will of God.” (Burton Coffman)
For: “God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (Hebrews 11:40)
6 & 7—Finally, you have come "to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel...” (24) You cannot separate the role of Jesus as Mediator from the use of His blood for atonement. Blood was sprinkled or applied on the day of original Passover, as well as the annual Day of Atonement, as it must be for you to avail for you. It must cleanse you conscience. “‘Christ’s blood cries more efficaciously, and is better heard by God than the blood of Abel.’ It is, however, preferable to take the words literally: the blood of Christ is said to speak better things, because it avails to obtain pardon for our sins. The blood of Abel did not properly cry out; for it was his murder that called for vengeance before God. But the blood of Christ cries out, and the atonement made by it is heard daily.” (John Calvin)
Hebrews 12: Hear the Voice of Jesus
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,”indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
“‘See’- take heed- ‘that you so not refuse Him who speaks’ (25a) - the Lord Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, who now speakth from heaven, by his Gospel, to the Jews and to the Gentiles, having in His incarnation come down from God.” (Adam Clarke)
"For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth," (25b) "that is, at the giving of the law on Mount Sinai: Christ was then present; His voice was then heard; which was either the voice of thunder, or the voice of the trumpet, or rather the voice of words: this shook the earth, Sinai, and the land about it, and the people on it; which made them quake and tremble, even Moses himself; see Exodus 19:18." (John Gill) If they were not allowed to enter the earthly Canaan due to unbelief and thus perished in the wilderness, "much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,” (25c) -bearing witness by His Word and His Spirit and- who now "has promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.’ (Haggai 2:6)” (26b) “These words may refer in a lower sense to the dissolution of the Jewish church and state; but in their full sense they undoubtedly look much farther, even to the end of all things. This universal shaking began at the first coming of Christ. It will be consummated at his second coming.” (John Wesley)
Jesus will again shake not only the earth but also heaven. If we emulate Israel of old's disbelief, after such a great testimony to us in the incarnation, we shall surely die, incuring God’s just wrath of God. "The responsibilities of men are in proportion to their blessings; and if they abuse or neglect them, they will proportionably enhance their condemnation.” (Justin Edwards) "This the apostle now minds them of: ‘Take heed that ye hear him; for if not, God will require it of you in your utter destruction.’” (John Owen) "This exhortation looks back to ‘I will raise them up a Prophet, from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put My words in His mouth: and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto My words which He shall speak in My name, I will require it of him’ (Deut. 18:18, 19); cf. Acts 3:22; 7:37.” (A. W. Pink)
“Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken,” (27a) “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10) “as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.” (27b) All created things will be destroyed by fire at His Coming, but the Eternal Kingdom will yet remain. The faithful will inherit a restored earth filled with righteous deeds.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (28) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"For our God is a consuming fire.” (29)
"The words are taken from Deuteronomy 4:24, where they are used to deter Israel from idolatry, for that is a sin God will not tolerate. The same description of God is here applied by the apostle unto those lacking grace to worship Him with the humility and awe which He demands. If we are graceless in our persons, and devoid of reverence in our worship, God will deal with us accordingly. As a fire consumes combustible matter cast into it, so God will destroy sinners. The title ‘our God’ denotes a covenant relationship, yet though Christians are firmly assured of their interest in the everlasting covenant, God requires them to have holy apprehensions of His majesty and terror: see 2 Corinthians 5:10, 11.” (A. W. Pink)