The Daily Word of Righteousness

Shaking the Heavens and the Earth, #2

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, For our "God is a consuming fire."(Hebrews 12:28,29—NIV)

The shaking of the earth and the heavens has to do with the establishing of God's eternal Kingdom.

The shaking of the earth and the heavens has to do also with the consuming fire of God's judgment.

As we have stated, sin began in Heaven around the Throne of God when self-will entered the heart of Satan, the anointed, guardian cherub.

You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. (Ezekiel 28:14—NIV)

You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:13,14—NIV)

Self-will is the source of all sin.

Apparently Satan influenced a number of angels, many of them rulers and authorities, who then became "his angels."

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12—NIV)

And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. (Revelation 12:7—NIV)

There entered into God's universe a kingdom of darkness and self-will governed by Satan and his angels.

It did not take long for Satan to convince Adam and Eve that their hope for a better life lie in employing their self-will instead of obeying God.

Thus the darkness and death of self-will, in both angels and humans, fills the creation to the present hour. In the Book of Revelation we read that even after the thousand years of rule by Christ and His saints the nations of the earth can be persuaded to revolt against God and His people.

Self-will, rebellion, disobedience to God, are as a black cloud that pollutes the works of God's hands—works that otherwise would be filled to overflowing with beauty, wonder, and peace.

Before we proceed with a discussion of the shaking of the heavens and the earth, one concept needs to be emphasized. Ordinarily we think of the Gospel work of the Church Age as being the saving of souls, the bringing of them to Heaven. But a closer look at the New Testament will reveal that the Gospel work of the Church Age has to do primarily with calling out from the world a royal priesthood, that is, a governing body.

The Lord Jesus commanded us to preach the Gospel to every creature, explaining that he who is baptized shall be saved. Being saved in this sense means not being destroyed in the Day of Wrath, the day when the Lord Jesus returns with His saints and holy angels.

Saving from wrath whoever will believe the Gospel is one matter. Calling out from the world the royal priesthood and bringing them to maturity as measured by the stature of the fullness of Christ is quite another operation. Can you see this?

To be continued.