A few days ago, France was rocked by multiple terrorist attacks from ISIS. At last count, over 125 individuals were killed. Other nations were targeted as well with devastating results. In all likelihood, the U.S. can expect the same in the near future. As we watch the news about ISIS, massive earthquakes and other natural disasters, it feels as if the earth is toppling, staggering and shaking. The writer of Hebrews speaks about a “shaking.”
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.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. (Heb.12:26-28)
In times of tumult, we must learn to hold on to what is unshakeable. In the Hebrew passage, the writer is referring to the moment when God descended on Sinai to meet with Israel and give them his law. His voice was so powerful that it shook the earth and terrified God’s people who thought they would die if they heard any more of it. God says that another time will come when he will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. I believe he is speaking of governments and nations when he speaks of the earth and of spiritual powers (demonic) when he shakes the heavens.
As believers we are to anticipate these “shake ups.” Since God is the cause of the shaking we can be confident that he is totally aware of his people and their needs in the midst of the turmoil. It’s not that we won’t feel the effects. In an earthquake, everyone experiences the vibrations. In this time of shaking, there will be natural disasters, governments falling, and turmoil in the spiritual realm. Is it the end of time? I can’t be certain, but I don’t think it is immediate.
Rather, I believe God is sifting and reconfiguring the earth and the spiritual realm for the benefit of the gospel. The key is to hold onto what is unshakeable and that is the kingdom of God. As we move further into this season, believers must drill down and anchor themselves in Jesus.
Again, the writer of Hebrews tells us, “We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (Heb.6:18-20).
Jesus has entered into the presence of the Father to intercede for us. He knows what the shaking is all about and where everyone of his “brethren” are located. If God is reconfiguring nations and shaking demonic strongholds, we need to pray into that process, asking God to open doors for the gospel, to exalt the name of Jesus in the earth, and to weaken the hold of the enemy over nations and individuals.
We need to be connected to other people of faith who will be praying with us. We need to spend more time in the written word and more time with the Word of God – Jesus. We need to find promises to stand on and to ask for unshakeable faith and courage to acknowledge Jesus in these days.
This issue with Islam will not be solved by politics, money, or even war. It is spiritual at its root. It is a spirit of Anti-Christ, death, and perversion – perhaps, even the prince of Persia spoken of in the book of Daniel (chapters 9-10). Those spirits must be attacked by the divine weapons of prayer, love, truth, and the power that rests in the name of Jesus. F-14’s and smart bombs may push back the move of Islam but will not stamp it out. The kingdom of God is the only antidote and that kingdom must be established in the hearts of men.
As awful as terrorism is, each atrocity makes Islam less palatable to many. As they reject or, at least, doubt the tenants of their faith a spiritual; vacuum will form. We need to fill that vacuum with the gospel or something even worse than what we are seeing may take up residence in those people and nations. We need wisdom from above to navigate these waters and to know how to love our enemies even as we try to protect the world from them. This is not the time to bunker in and hide from the enemy, but is a time for the church to stand up and proclaim the saving and powerful name of Jesus. We can do that in prayer, over coffee, and publically whenever we have the opportunity. Again, light always shines brightest in the darkness.
Be blessed today and know that Jesus is unshakeable. When we hold tightly to him, we also will not be shaken.
