The Daily Word of Righteousness

Shaking the Heavens and the Earth

It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet." In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. (Hebrews 2:5-8—NIV)

When self-will entered the heart of Satan the troubles of the universe began. God then prepared the Lake of Fire for Satan and the angels who would follow him. However, instead of immediately casting Satan and his angels into the Lake of Fire, God conceived a plan to insure there never again would be a rebellion against Himself. The plan included the creation of a new race of creatures, mankind, whose destiny would be to govern the works of God's hands.

But before the fullness of authority and power can be entrusted to the future rulers, the King of the kings had to be tested as to total obedience to God. After Christ the King passed the test, all of the future rulers must also be tested in the area of obedience to God.

Now we have come to the point in history when God is ready to shake the heavens and the earth so disobedience is removed from all positions of power, and those whose obedience to God has been proven are installed on the thrones formerly occupied by Satan and his angels.

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." (Hebrews 12:26—NIV)

The above verse is taken from the following Old Testament passage:

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty." (Haggai 2:6,7—NIV)

The first shaking seems to be referring to the giving of the Law of Moses on Mount Sinai.

Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, (Exodus 19:18—NIV)

The second shaking appears to be reserved for the last days. Its purpose is to remove all that can be shaken so only the unshakable will remain.

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. (Hebrews 12:26,27—NIV)

We can understand that the earth shook at the giving of the Law. But what is the meaning of the shaking of the heavens and the removal of that which cannot be shaken?

To be continued.