“See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 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 12:25-27)

There is a striking promise found near the end of the book of Hebrews. At first glance, it might sound a bit intimidating. The writer describes a moment when God will shake not only the earth, but the heavens as well.

It is easy to glance at this passage and feel a sense of fear. But beneath the surface, there is a profound message of hope and transformation. The author writes:

“The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.”

To understand this fully, we have to look back at how people used to interact with God. When God spoke to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, His voice literally shook the ground. The people were terrified. They begged Moses to act as a middleman because the raw power of God’s voice was too much to handle.

Today, as believers, we are in a completely different position. We do not stand at the bottom of a terrifying, trembling mountain. Because of Jesus, we have a direct line to God. He speaks to us from a heavenly position. This incredible access means it is more important than ever to actually listen to what He is saying.

The Purpose of the Shaking

We all build our lives around certain structures. We rely on our careers, our routines, our finances, and our physical comforts. These are all created, temporary things.

Here is a beautiful truth about the shaking God describes: it is not meant to destroy you. God shakes the temporary things so the eternal things can stand strong. The Apostle Peter reminds us that eventually, everything in this physical world will pass away. The elements will melt, and the earth will be laid bare (2 Peter 3:10-13).

If everything we see around us is temporary, it shifts our perspective. It makes us ask a deeply introspective question: what are we building our lives upon?

As believers, we have been given a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). God’s ultimate desire is to create holy, righteous people who live in deep community with Him. When the temporary comforts of this world are shaken loose, the strongholds and struggles we hold onto begin to wash away. What remains is a pure, eternal connection with our Creator.

Our Guide for the Journey

Letting go of temporary things is rarely easy. Jesus knew we would need a guide for this journey of transformation.

Before He left, Jesus made a specific promise to His disciples. He told them He would send the Holy Spirit to act as a guide and a helper. Jesus explained:

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

One of the most striking things about the Holy Spirit is His role as a perfect communicator. His function is to relay God’s gentle voice to our hearts, helping us understand His will for our daily lives. We do not have to guess what God wants or try to navigate the shaking on our own. We have a faithful guide leading us into all truth.

A Kingdom That Lasts

We are called into a life of constant transformation. As you listen to the steady direction of the Holy Spirit, you will find grace to help you in every moment of need. The temporary worries of this world will lose their grip on your heart.

You are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken or removed. Allow God’s voice to gently remove the temporary burdens you carry today. What remains in your life will last for eternity, beautifully reflecting the profound grace and love of God.

Personal Reflection Questions

Take a quiet moment to reflect on your own journey with these three questions:

1. What temporary things are you relying on for peace and security?

2. How do you respond when comfortable parts of your life are shaken?

3. What helps you quiet the world’s noise so you can hear the Holy Spirit’s guidance?