The Offense of the Cross

“See that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns from heaven. At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:25-29 ESV

With all of the things happening in the world right now, we feel uncertain and uncomfortable. More than ever before we feel that our circumstances are unstable–that life as we know it could change at any moment. We feel shaken.

But this shaking we feel isn’t the shaking that this scripture is referring to. This shaking in Hebrews 13 is referring to the great shaking of God’s judgment that is described in the book of Revelation. This is the shaking that the world is being warned of now. We are now seeing the beginnings of what will eventually come. The events of today are like the proverbial puzzle pieces that are being put into place. They are also a warning of what the world will eventually experience.

Throughout the scripture God clearly communicated warnings to the world and to His people. He never surprises us. 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 tell us that God desires that all people be saved. Revelation shows us that not all people will humble themselves before the Creator and choose salvation. Nonetheless, God is providing every opportunity for people to know Him. He has and is revealing Himself to those who have listening ears and soft hearts. His Word is proving true yet again with the “labor pains” that we are experiencing (Matthew 24).

The Scripture warns of pestilence and unrest that precedes the return of Christ. The illness, hatred, destruction and instability that we see and feel are nothing compared to what is coming someday.

Today is that day of salvation. Choosing to submit to God and accept Christ will not only save you in eternity, but it will save you from the fear, stress, depression, and worry that these times press upon us. As a believer, a child of God, when those moments of struggle creep in upon us, we can rest in knowing that this is not our home. This is but a foreign war zone that we are passing through. Our home is a place of peace and beauty that is beyond description. Our home is a place we cannot see, but the peace of God that rules it will rule in our heart when we keep our eyes on HIM.

Human words cannot adequately explain the peace of God that is in my heart. No matter what I hear and see, I remember to keep my face and heart turned to my Savior and to stay steeped in His scriptures. Because when I do, I can relax knowing that my God is bigger and greater than anything in this universe and He has a plan that is in place.

Today is that day to surrender to Him. It will save you from the shaking day of judgment that this world will someday experience and it will save your peace of mind now. I pray that as you read these words you know that He loves you, that you bend your knee and heart to him, and that you cry out to Him today. He will hear and He will give you a new life and peace. Today is the day of salvation.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV