Is your life focused on things that will pass away or things that will last forever?
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 23
- 13 min read
Hebrews Chapter 12, verses 25 through 29
The Main Message: This passage is about a final "cosmic cleanup." Imagine God is going to shake the whole world until everything loose falls off. Only what's permanently attached to Him will remain. The point is to make sure you're attached to Him and His kingdom, because that's the only thing that won't be rattled and removed.
Be sure to check out the special section on how to evaluate your Life Budget. It's not just about money, but about how you spend your time, energy, and resources.
The Cosmic Earthquake is coming
Imagine you're walking through a city and an earthquake hits. Everything around you is falling apart—buildings are crumbling, roads are splitting open, and the ground beneath you is unstable. The natural instinct is to run for the safest, most stable place you can find. Now, what if you knew in advance that a massive earthquake was coming, one that would level every single building? You wouldn't waste your time building a new skyscraper; you'd look for a shelter built on an unshakable foundation.
That's the mindset the author of Hebrews wants us to have. He's telling us a cosmic earthquake is coming, one that will rattle and remove everything that isn't built to last. He's not trying to scare us, but to give us a profound sense of urgency and purpose: to stop building on shaky ground and to start living for the only thing that can't be shaken. Let's get to the nuts and bolts of Hebrews chapter 12, verse 25 through 29.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews chapter 12, verses 25 through 29 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
Setting the Scene: Living for today, or for eternity?
This passage is a final, urgent warning from the author of Hebrews to his readers. He is bringing together two powerful, contrasting images from the Old Testament: the terrifying scene at Mount Sinai and the glorious vision of Mount Zion. This is not an academic exercise; it's a matter of life and death. The author's central point is to urge his readers not to turn away from the one who is speaking from heaven.
To understand the weight of his warning, we need to go back to Exodus, specifically Exodus chapter 19 and 20. The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai was a cataclysmic event. The mountain was shrouded in fire, smoke, and darkness. The ground trembled, and the people heard loud trumpet blasts and a voice so thunderous they begged for it to stop. This was a physical, earthly shaking that demonstrated God's immense power and holiness. The author of Hebrews reminds his audience of this event to emphasize the profound difference between the old covenant and the new. If the people were terrified by God's voice speaking from a physical mountain, how much more serious is it to ignore the voice of the one who speaks from heaven?
Rabbit Trail: How is God Speaking from Heaven?
The author of Hebrews makes a profound and serious claim: "how much more will we not escape if we turn away from him who warns from heaven" (Hebrews chapter 12, verse 25). This might seem confusing. We understand God speaking to Moses on a mountain, but how is He speaking from heaven today? The author's entire argument hinges on this point: Jesus is God's ultimate and final word to humanity.
To unpack this, we must remember the opening lines of the book of Hebrews: "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son" (Hebrews chapter 1, verses 1-2). The author is immediately establishing that Jesus is the pinnacle of divine communication. God's revelation through Moses and the prophets was real and powerful, but it was a warm-up. Jesus is the main event.
In the old covenant, God's voice was distant and terrifying. The people of Israel had to keep their distance, lest they be consumed by God's holiness (Exodus chapter 19, verse 21). God's voice came from a physical mountain on Earth, yet it was so powerful it caused the people to tremble and beg for a mediator.
Now, God is speaking in a far more intimate and powerful way through Jesus. Jesus is not just a messenger; He is the message. He is God in human form (John chapter 1, verse 14). When we read the words of Jesus in the Gospels, we are literally reading the words of God speaking from heaven to Earth. The very wisdom and instruction that once caused a mountain to smoke and shake were now being spoken by a man who walked among us.
Think about the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). Jesus didn't just give rules; he went deeper, addressing the heart. He said, "You have heard that it was said... but I say to you..." He was claiming a divine authority far surpassing that of Moses. He was not just interpreting the law; he was fulfilling it and taking it to a new level.
The message of Jesus is more serious because it's more personal. It's not a voice from a distant mountain, but a voice that has walked in our shoes, experienced our struggles, and offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice. To turn away from this message is to turn away from God himself. It's a rejection of the final and clearest communication God has ever given.
We see a powerful example of this in the book of Acts. When Stephen is being martyred, he looks up and sees Jesus "standing at the right hand of God" (Acts chapter 7, verse 56). The voice of God is now personified in a man who is actively interceding for his people. God is speaking from heaven through the continuing work of His Son, Jesus. He is speaking through the Holy Spirit, who is now within us, guiding us and reminding us of Jesus' teachings (John chapter 14, verse 26).
So, when the author warns us not to turn away from the one who "warns from heaven," he is telling us to take Jesus' teachings with the utmost seriousness. It is a more powerful, more intimate, and more final word than any that has ever been spoken. To ignore Jesus is to ignore the very heart of God.
Back to the rest of the Hebrews passage....
The author then references Haggai chapter 2, verse 6, which says, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." In its original context, this prophecy was about God's coming judgment on the nations and the eventual establishment of his kingdom. The author of Hebrews, however, sees this prophecy as being fulfilled in Christ. This "shaking" is not just a local tremor but a cosmic upheaval. It’s a final, decisive moment when God will remove all temporary, created things, so that only the eternal, unshakable kingdom remains.
So what are these "shakable" things? They are everything that is not built on God's foundation. This includes earthly powers and empires, corrupt financial systems, political ideologies, and even human-made religious institutions. The author is telling his audience—and us—that all of these things are temporary and will eventually be removed in God’s final judgment. The unshakable thing that will remain is the kingdom of God, which we have received as a gift through Christ.
The passage concludes with a final powerful image from Deuteronomy chapter 4, verse 24: "For our God is a consuming fire." This is not a description of a God who is out to harm his people. Rather, it speaks to God’s absolute holiness and his passionate commitment to purity. Just as fire purifies gold by burning away impurities, God's "consuming fire" will burn away all that is corrupt and unrighteous. This is the ultimate reason we are called to worship with reverence and awe—we are approaching a holy, powerful, and pure God.
Evaluating Your "Life Budget"
We all have a limited amount of time, energy, and resources. How we allocate them is our "life budget." Just like a financial budget tracks how you spend money, a life budget tracks how you invest your most valuable assets: your gifts, passions, and yourself. This tool is designed to help you see if you're investing in things that will last forever or in things that are temporary and will be "shaken" away.
This evaluation is critical because we are called to live for what is eternal—God's unshakable kingdom. Without a conscious effort, it's easy to get caught up in the temporary things of this world: chasing a bigger house, more followers on social media, or a higher-paying job. The goal of this tool is to help you intentionally shift your focus from the temporary to the eternal.
1. Your Personal Gifts and Talents
What are you naturally good at? This could be anything from public speaking, problem-solving, or organizing to being a great listener, cooking, or artistic skill.
Current Investment: How are you using these gifts and talents right now? Are they mainly for personal gain, career advancement, or hobbies that don't serve others?
Kingdom Investment: How could you intentionally use your gifts to build God's kingdom? For example, if you're a good organizer, could you help coordinate a church event or a ministry's volunteer schedule? If you're a great listener, could you intentionally seek out and encourage a lonely person?
2. Your Passions and Interests
What are you genuinely "into"? What activities, topics, or ideas consume your time and energy when you have free choice? This is where your heart is.
Current Investment: Do your passions and interests lead you to spend time on things that are temporary, such as binge-watching TV shows, endlessly scrolling through social media, or chasing the latest trends?
Kingdom Investment: How could you redirect your passion toward kingdom-focused activities? If you love to cook, could you start a meal train for new parents or a family recovering from an illness? If you're passionate about justice, could you volunteer with an organization that fights human trafficking or cares for the vulnerable?
3. Your Finances
Money is a powerful tool. The way we spend it reveals our true priorities.
Current Investment: Are most of your financial resources being spent on personal consumption, entertainment, and building your own comfort and security?
Kingdom Investment: Consider shifting your spending toward kingdom work. Are you tithing to your local church? Are you supporting missionaries or ministries that are advancing the Gospel? Can you be more generous with those in need? Remember, this isn't about giving up everything but about using your money with an eternal mindset.
4. Your Prayer Life
Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. What you pray for shows what you truly care about.
Current Investment: Are your prayers mostly focused on you—your needs, your problems, your desires, and your life working out?
Kingdom Investment: Shift your prayer life to include bigger things than just you. Pray for your city, for the lost, for your church leaders, and for God's kingdom to come on Earth as it is in heaven. Pray for specific people who don't know Jesus and for opportunities to share the Gospel.
5. Sharing Yourself
You are one of your greatest resources. Your presence, your time, and your relationships can be a powerful force for God's kingdom.
Current Investment: How are you investing yourself in relationships and friendships? Are they primarily for your own benefit, comfort, or social life?
Kingdom Investment: Be more deliberate about using your relationships for kingdom building. Actively seek to be an encourager, a helper, and a source of accountability for other believers. Intentionally build friendships with non-believers to show them the love of Jesus. Instead of just hanging out, ask deeper questions and look for opportunities to share what God is doing in your life.
Make a Concrete Plan
Take a moment to review your "Life Budget." Don't just think about these questions—write down your answers. What's one area you feel God is leading you to change? Make a concrete plan with small, achievable steps. Then, share your plan with a trusted Christian friend. Ask them to hold you accountable and to pray for you as you shift your focus from a shaky foundation to the unshakable kingdom of God.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
Questions for you to chew on and discuss:
Think about the contrast between Mount Sinai (fear, distance, external law) and Mount Zion (boldness, nearness, grace). How does understanding this difference change the way you approach God in prayer and worship?
The author says we are receiving an "unshakable kingdom." What are some temporary or "shakable" things you've been putting your trust in? (e.g., your career, your savings account, your social status, etc.)
The text calls us to "offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." What does it mean for your worship to be "acceptable" in light of this passage? How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe in your daily life?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
The author of Hebrews is making it clear that a time of shaking is coming. What is one area of your life right now that feels particularly shaky? How can this group support you in trusting that your true security is found in God's unshakable kingdom and not in your circumstances?
How to Apply These Lessons from Hebrews Today:
The principles in Hebrews chapter 12, verse 25 through 29 are not just ancient theology; they are practical guides for modern living. Here is how we can walk them out:
Acknowledge God's Power and Holiness: The passage calls us to a proper fear of the Lord. In our culture, we often want to make God feel like our buddy. While Jesus calls us friends, we must not lose sight of the fact that we serve a holy and consuming fire. To apply this, you can start by intentionally pausing before you pray to acknowledge God’s holiness. Start your prayers with phrases like, "Holy God, I am in awe of your power" or "Heavenly Father, I am so grateful you have allowed me to approach you."
Recognize the Temporary Nature of the World: We are told that everything that can be shaken will be shaken. This means that the things our society often values most—wealth, power, and fame—are not built to last. To apply this, practice regular self-evaluation of your priorities. Ask yourself: "Am I spending my time, money, and energy on things that are temporary, or on things that are part of God's eternal kingdom?" You could reallocate a portion of your income from entertainment toward helping a family in need. Or, you could shift some of your time from social media to serving at a local food bank.
Offer Acceptable Worship: The author's final command is to worship with reverence and awe. Worship is not just singing songs on a Sunday; it's a full-life response to God's holiness and grace. To apply this, think about what "acceptable worship" looks like for you. It might be a commitment to honesty in your work, treating your colleagues with respect, or being a good steward of your resources. For example, if you are a manager, your leadership style—how you care for your employees—can be an act of worship. If you are a student, your dedication to your studies and your commitment to intellectual honesty can be an act of worship.
Embrace the Unshakable Kingdom: The good news is that we have received an unshakable kingdom. This should be a source of immense security and joy. To apply this, intentionally remind yourself of this truth when you are facing uncertainty. When you lose a job, a relationship ends, or a financial crisis hits, you can remind yourself that your true security is not in those things but in the unshakable kingdom of God. This mindset shift can give you a deep sense of peace, even in the midst of chaos.
Join a Journey Group
Want to stop living for the things that will shake and start building for the things that will last? You don't have to do it alone. Building an "unshakable" life takes community, encouragement, and a lot of honest conversation. Join a Journey Group and find a group of people who are also trying to invest in the unshakable things of God's kingdom. It’s the best way to get grounded before the final shaking!
To learn more about Journey Groups, get connected in one, or learn more about starting one, go here: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups.
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“Acknowledge God's Power and Holiness” that part ! I’m Going to be more intentional when coming into HIS presence 🧎♀️➡️