Series 60
Study 10 FOUR THINGS WHICH CAN NEVER BE SHAKEN
HIGHLIGHTS IN HEBREWS
by Francis Dixon
(Key verse: Hebrews 12:27)
It is very encouraging that in a world of change and decay there are some things which can never be shaken. In Hebrews 12 we learn that a time of shaking is to be expected, for the writer predicts that there is coming a terrible time in the world when everything, except certain things which can never be shaken, will be dissolved and removed (2 Peter 3:10). A great shaking is going on today, and in connection with this we should recall Jesus’ parable recorded in Matthew 7:24-29. All that is not built upon the rock will fall and only things of eternal value will stand. Everywhere there is chaos and collapse on an unprecedented scale; our civilization seems to be shaken. We have passed through two devastating world wars and people fear another world war. Our economic and commercial life is being shaken as never before; people are gripped by the fever of gambling, drinking and spending on trivial and transient things. Think what a shaking our political life has suffered, and is suffering – and of course this general shaking has come into the sphere of religion. The foundations of the Faith are assailed, the Bible is denied, secularism has entered the churches, Romanism and other heresies are becoming more and more powerful, and the cry goes up for “unity”. Is it any wonder, therefore, that when moral and spiritual values have been so badly shaken there is a tremendous increase in divorce and immorality? Sex is degraded and much of our literature is filled with sensual things. But thank God, there is another side to the picture, for there are some things which can never be shaken!
1. THE THRONE OF GOD CAN NEVER BE SHAKEN
When we turn to Psalm 45:6 and Lamentations 5:19 we can lift up our hearts with gratitude that whatever else may happen, God’s throne will remain secure. Today we have to look above things of time and sense to find things that are permanent – look up Psalm 90:12 and compare Psalm 46:1-5 and 7. Even the heavens will be shaken one day – look up Isaiah 34:4; but God, who is above the heavens, is eternal and immutable. Nothing can shake or change Him (Hebrews 1:10-12). It must be a great encouragement to every child of God to know that when everything else is shaken the throne of God can never be shaken. We must of course reckon with God’s throne. It is a throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and it is also a throne of judgment (Revelation 20:11). Are you a subject of the King who sits upon the throne of heaven (Colossians 1:13)?
2. THE WORD OF GOD CAN NEVER BE SHAKEN
We are assured of this in Mark 13:31 and 1 Peter 1:23-25. When we take our Bibles in our hands we can say three things:-
- 1. Its promises can never be shaken. It has been estimated that there are 30,000 of them, but not one has ever failed or will ever fail. There are promises for every child of God and for every situation in life, and these become ours when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – look up 2 Corinthians 1:20.
- 2. Its power can never be shaken. Romans 1:16 and Hebrews 4:12 assure us of this. The Word of God has power to convict (Acts 2:37), to convert (Psalm 19:7), to cleanse (Psalm 119:9), to comfort (Psalm 119:49-50), and to counsel (Psalm 73:24), and its power will never change.
- 3. Its prophecies can never be shaken. Men may scoff at the prophecies contained in the Bible, but by doing so they only fulfil the Bible (2 Peter 3:3-4). Many of the Bible’s prophecies have already been literally fulfilled and all the promises that await fulfilment will also be literally fulfilled.
Thank God that in a shaking world our chart and compass are secure! The Word of God, the Bible, is thoroughly reliable. If it is a convicting Word, have I been convicted? If it is a converting Word, have I been converted? If it is a cleansing Word, am I being cleansed? If it is a comforting Word, do I receive its comfort? If it is a counselling Word, do I act upon its wisdom?
3. THE CHURCH OF GOD CAN NEVER BE SHAKEN
The words of our Lord recorded in Matthew 16:18 assure us of this. In this amazing statement the Saviour was assuring His disciples (and us) that the Church is built on the solid foundation of His person and His work. There is no other foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). Today churches, organised assemblies or communities of professing Christians, are being shaken on every hand; but the Church, which is the Body of Christ, cannot and will not be shaken. The visible church will be shaken but the mystical Church cannot be touched. The true Church is secure, permanent and abiding. Are you a member of the true Church? – that is, not only a professing Christian but a possessing Christian?
4. THE CHILD OF GOD CAN NEVER BE SHAKEN
Many biblical promises assure us of God’s concern for every one of His children and of His pledge to keep them secure until they are safely ‘home’ with Him in heaven. For example, look up John 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39; 1 John 2:17, and then look up 2 Timothy 1:12.
Are you a child of God? Have you been born into His family? Look up John 1:12; John 3:5; 1 John 3:10.
Let every Christian rejoice that in a shaking world these four things can never be shaken. Do you belong to the Lord? Are you a subject in His kingdom and living in subjection to His Word? Do you belong to the true Church? Are you a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ?