What is the meaning of Hebrews 12:26? At that time His voice shook the earth “‘At that time His voice shook the earth’” recalls God’s audible thunder at Sinai when “the whole mountain trembled violently” (Exodus 19:18). • The scene at Sinai—smoke, fire, trumpet blast—underscored God’s holiness and Israel’s accountability (Deuteronomy 5:22-27). • Even righteous Moses said, “I am trembling with fear” (Hebrews 12:21). • Psalm 99:1 pictures the Lord enthroned while “the earth trembles,” reminding us that creation itself reacts to the presence of its Maker. • The past shaking guarantees that God’s voice is not mere symbolism; when He speaks, the physical realm responds. but now He has promised The writer reaches back to Haggai 2:6: “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth.’” • God Himself makes the promise; no human agency can prevent or dilute it (Numbers 23:19). • The phrase “but now” signals that believers live between Sinai’s historic shaking and a greater, still-future fulfillment (Acts 17:31). • Because the promise comes from the unchanging God (Malachi 3:6), we can be certain it will occur exactly as spoken. Once more I will shake not only the earth “Once more” implies a decisive, climactic event rather than a series of minor tremors (Hebrews 12:27). • Prophets foresaw a final global convulsion: “Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will shake from its place” (Isaiah 13:13). • Jesus echoed the theme: “There will be great earthquakes” before His return (Luke 21:11). • The earth’s foundations will yield so that what is created but temporary will give way to what is unshakable and eternal (Daniel 2:44). but heaven as well The coming disturbance is cosmic. “The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up” (Revelation 6:14). • Peter affirms: “The heavens will disappear with a roar” and “we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:10-13). • Matthew 24:29 records Jesus saying, “the powers of the heavens will be shaken,” tying the event to His visible return. • By shaking both realms, God will sweep away every stain of sin and usher in the perfected creation envisioned in Revelation 21:1. summary Hebrews 12:26 looks back to Sinai’s literal trembling and looks ahead to a final, worldwide upheaval promised by God Himself. The same voice that once rattled a mountain will soon shake the entire cosmos, removing all that is temporary so that the eternal, unshakable kingdom remains. For believers, this promise is not a cause for fear but a reason for steadfast hope, because the God who shakes creation also secures His children in the kingdom that can never be moved. |
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