The Fearless Witness

This transcript was generated automatically. Its accuracy may vary

Short Summary
The discourse explores Apostle Paul’s argument in Hebrews, emphasizing the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice and priesthood over the old Law, which was incapable of perfecting believers. It highlights the promise of an unshakable kingdom given to faithful Christians, urging them to remain steadfast, encourage one another, and worship God with reverence and gratitude amid the turmoil of the present age. Ultimately, believers are called to fix their eyes on Jesus, embrace maturity in faith, and confidently anticipate the coming new order of righteousness.

Long Summary
Theme Scripture and Context: Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)
– *“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.”*
– This verse anchors the discourse, emphasizing gratitude for the unshakable kingdom believers have received and the call to worship God with reverence and awe.

Apostle Paul’s Perspective on Backsliding
– Paul, a Jewish man with Roman citizenship, understands the complexities facing Christian Jews tempted to revert to old legalistic or cultural practices.
– He comprehends three perspectives: Jewish, Roman, and God’s, and addresses them throughout Hebrews to encourage steadfast faith in Christ.

Paul’s Purpose in Hebrews
– Across 13 chapters, Paul aims to convince Christian Jews and all believers why faithfulness to Christ is superior to the old covenant.
– He contrasts the temporary nature of the Law and temple sacrifices with the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Christ’s Superiority Over Angels and Old Covenant
– Hebrews 1:1-5, 13: Christ is portrayed as superior to angels, having inherited a better name and seated at God’s right hand (Hebrews 1:4, 1:13).
– The term “better” (Strong’s 2904) indicates strength, nobility, and supremacy.
– Christ’s priesthood is eternal (Hebrews 7:22-25), unlike the human priests who are mortal and replaceable.

Elementary vs. Mature Teaching (Hebrews 6:1)
– Paul urges believers to move beyond elementary doctrines (repentance, faith, washings, resurrection, judgment) to mature understanding.
– This maturity includes grasping the “better hope” and “super introduction” to Christ that leads to drawing near to God.

The Ineffectiveness of the Old Law
– Hebrews 7:18-19: The Law’s commandment was ineffective and useless for perfecting believers.
– The Law could not bring true maturity or perfection; instead, it prepared the way for a better hope through Christ.
– This “bringing in” (Strong’s 1909 and 1521) is a superlative introduction to Christ and the unshakable kingdom.

Christ as Mediator of a Better Covenant
– Hebrews 8:6 (ESV): Christ mediates a “much more excellent ministry” through a better covenant with better promises.
– Hebrews 9:15: Jesus as mediator offers eternal inheritance to believers, emphasizing the unshakable kingdom.
– Hebrews 9:24: Christ entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not an earthly copy, to appear before God for us.

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All
– Hebrews 9:11-14: Christ entered the true holy of holies with His own blood, securing eternal reconciliation.
– The blood of animals purified only outwardly; Christ’s blood purifies the soul from dead works to serve the living God.
– Hebrews 10:1-18: Animal sacrifices repeated yearly couldn’t take away sin; Christ’s single sacrifice perfected believers forever.

Call to Perseverance and Community Encouragement
– Hebrews 10:19-25: Since believers have confidence to enter God’s presence through Jesus, they must hold fast their hope without wavering.
– Importance of meeting together, encouraging one another, and stirring love and good works as “the day” approaches.

Faith of the Ancient Worthies (Hebrews 11)
– Verses 13-40: The faithful of old received a testimony but not the full promise, which God has reserved for the present age—the better day and unshakable kingdom.
– Hebrews 12:1: Encouragement to run the race with endurance, casting off sin and fixing eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

The Unshakable Kingdom Explained
– Hebrews 11:16: The ancient faithful sought a better, heavenly country; God prepared a city (kingdom) for them.
– Hebrews 12:28 (Phillips translation): “Since then we have been given a kingdom that is unshakable. Let us serve God with thankfulness… with reverence and holy fear.”
– This kingdom is a gift to the “heirs of the promise” (Hebrews 6:17-18), guaranteed by God’s unchangeable purpose and oath.

The Symbolic Earth and Its Dissolution
– Psalm 75:3, 10: God will cut off the power of the wicked and exalt the righteous.
– Isaiah 24:1-4, 17-20: God will “empty,” “waste,” and “turn upside down” the earth; its inhabitants will face judgment and confusion.
– The earth “reels like a drunkard” and “totters like a shack,” symbolizing the instability of worldly systems and societies.
– Reprint 1813 highlights that the present symbolic earth (social order) is to be dissolved, with only the unshakable remaining.

The Roller Coaster Analogy: The Time of Trouble Ride
– Believers are pictured as safely strapped in with eyes wide open, aware of the ride’s end and secure in faith.
– The world, however, is fearful and unprepared, with “faces pale” and “weak knees” (prophetic imagery).
– This knowledge enables believers to be fearless witnesses, smiling amid turmoil.

The Coming New Order: New Heavens and New Earth
– 2 Peter 3:10-13: The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly (“like a thief”), with heavens and earth melting away by fire (symbolic of God’s judgment).
– Zephaniah 3:8-9: After judgment, mankind will serve God in unity with “one consent.”
– Reprint 1814 explains the “new earth” as a new social and religious order under righteous government — “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
– No more restless law or anarchic classes; former evils replaced by perfection.

Reverence, Awe, and Worship
– Galatians 1:4: Christ gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age, according to God’s will.
– Maintaining reverence and consecration enables believers to joyfully witness the old world fading and the new kingdom emerging.
– Hebrews 6:5: Believers have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come.

God’s Unchanging Nature and the Promise of Rest
– Hebrews 1:10-12 (Psalm 102:25-26): The earth and heavens will wear out like a garment, but God remains the same.
– Hebrews 4:1: The promise of entering Christ’s rest still stands; believers must be careful not to fall short.
– Faith is the “seat belt” that secures believers on the roller coaster ride of the end times.

Final Exhortations from Hebrews and 2 Peter
– Hebrews 12:26-27: God will shake “not only the earth but also heaven,” removing all that can be shaken so that only the unshakable remains.
– Hebrews 12:28: Be grateful for the unshakable kingdom and serve God with thankfulness and reverence.
– 2 Peter 3:10-13: Expect the dissolution of the present order and the coming of new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness.
– Believers are called to lead with gratitude, not fear, and be fearless witnesses to the coming kingdom.

Summary of Key Biblical Verses Referenced
Hebrews 12:28 – Grateful for an unshakable kingdom, worship with reverence.
Hebrews 1:1-5, 13 – Christ’s superiority over angels, sitting at God’s right hand.
Hebrews 6:1, 9 – Elementary teachings and pressing on to maturity; assurance of better things.
Hebrews 7:18-25 – Law’s ineffectiveness; Christ’s eternal priesthood.
Hebrews 8:6 – Better covenant with better promises.
Hebrews 9:11-15, 24 – Christ’s heavenly ministry and eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 10:1-25 – Christ’s perfect sacrifice; call to perseverance and community.
Hebrews 11:13-16, 40 – Faith of the ancients longing for a heavenly country.
Hebrews 12:1, 26-28 – Run with endurance; God’s final shaking to remove the temporary.
Psalm 75:3, 10 – God’s judgment and exaltation of the righteous.
Isaiah 24:1-4, 17-20 – The earth’s shaking and the judgment of inhabitants.
2 Peter 3:10-13 – Day of the Lord’s coming, dissolution of heavens and earth, new creation.
Galatians 1:4 – Christ’s deliverance from the present evil age.
Hebrews 4:1 – Promise of rest in Christ.
Psalm 102:25-26 (Hebrews 1:10-12) – The earth’s impermanence and God’s unchanging nature.

Practical Applications and Encouragements
– Believers should run the race with endurance, keeping eyes fixed on Jesus as the pioneer of faith.
– Hold fast the hope of the unshakable kingdom without wavering, encouraging one another as difficult days approach.
– Be grateful and worship God with reverence and awe, recognizing the immense gift of the kingdom.
– Embrace faith as the “seat belt” securing them during the tumultuous “Time of Trouble” ride, enabling joy rather than fear.
– Witness fearlessly to others about the hope and certainty of God’s kingdom, contrasting with the world’s confusion and despair.

Imagery and Illustrations
– The “roller coaster” metaphor for the end-times experience: believers are safely buckled in with full knowledge and joy, while the world is terrified and unaware of the ride’s end.
– The “earth reeling like a drunkard” symbolizes the instability of worldly systems and humanity’s fearful responses to crises.
– The “shack” versus “solid rock” contrast highlights the impermanence of Satan’s kingdom versus the eternal stability of God’s kingdom.

Conclusion and Blessing
– The discourse closes with a call to gratitude for the unshakable kingdom, worship offered in reverence and awe, and a reminder that the coming kingdom will replace the shaken world order with righteousness and peace.
– Believers rejoice in the promise of resurrection and eternal life, empowered to endure and witness until the glorious kingdom is fully realized.

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This detailed summary captures the key points, scriptural references, theological arguments, and practical exhortations from the discourse based on Hebrews 12:28 and related scriptures.

Transcript

From Hebrews 12:28, from the ESV 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. Apostle Paul, a Jewish man with Roman citizenship, fully understands the backsliding a Christian Jew could make backsliding into old habits that are no longer approved by God. Paul sees three sides of the backsliding argument. He sees and understands the Jewish side, he understands the Roman side, and he comprehends God’s side.

Paul has 13 chapters to convince Christian Jews and future Christians of all types of why we are to remain faithful to Christ and why Paul’s arguments are true and friends, not only true, but better, and as you listen, you’ll see how he leads the reader to the unshakable kingdom. Paul In Hebrews chapter 1:1 through 5, he says, this is who we are talking about, and this is what he has done for you. When he had made purification of sins, Christ Jesus sat down at the right hand of God. This was contrasting the sacrifices they brought to the temple.

This, this is once for all, and in verse four, having become as much better than the angels as he has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did God ever say, thou art my son, today I have become your Father. Christ, being made so much better than the angels, better from Strong’s 2904 means stronger, nobler, the best. The proof Christ is stronger, nobler.

Well, that would be Hebrews 1, verse 13, Paul repeats. This time he says, but to which of the angels has God ever said, sit at my right hand until I make thine enemies a footstool, footstool for thy feet.

Convince us more, AAPostle Paul, Hebrews 6, verse 1. Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God. Of instructions about washings and laying on of hands and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. Paul says there’s an elementary teaching and a mature teaching, and he tells them, I already gave you the elementary teachings.

Those basic doctrines we each harmonize through Scriptures, and then once we have them harmonized and our foundation is laid, we move on to mature things, like knowing how Christ makes all things possible. Pastor Russell suggested that once we learn the multiplication tables, we generally don’t need to go back. We move forward to more deeper, mature things, and all of you have done this, haven’t you?

Two times two equals right. See, you proved my point. In Hebrews 6. 9, Paul encourages them. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things.

In your case, the things that have to do with salvation. Better things, stronger, nobler. Apostle Paul says his argument for Christ is stronger than their argument for the law covenant. Hebrews 7, verses 18 and 19 from the Phillips translation. Quite plainly then, there is a definite cancellation of the previous commandment because of its ineffectiveness and uselessness.

The Law was incapable of bringing anyone to real maturity, followed by the introduction of a better hope through which we all approach God.

Remember that in chapter six Paul was saying there are elementary teachings and mature teachings. He’s telling him the Law was incapable of bringing anyone to real, real maturity, and I love verse 19 from the king James for the Law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did Bringing in a better hope Apostle Paul argues for you from Strong’s 1909 and 1521 this bringing in is a super introduction. You heard correct. This bringing in to you is a super introduction to Christ, his sacrifice and how you draw near to God and receive this kingdom, this unshakable kingdom.

The super introduction is so gigantic it is better. Better than anything you can dream up. The Law was incapable of bringing anyone to real maturity, but God brought you all to maturity. No more milk for you. God gave you a super introduction to His Son.

Moving forward in Hebrews we come to chapter seven, verses 22 to 25 from the Phillips again, and he is, by virtue of this fact, Himself the living guarantee of a better agreement. Human priests have always been changing, for death made a permanent appointment impossible. You think? But Christ, because He lives forever, possesses a priesthood that needs no successor.

This means that he can save fully and completely those who approach God through Him, for he is always living to intercede on their behalf. End of quote. Your Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, by virtue of this fact, is the living guarantee of a better arrangement. As Paul quotes from the Psalms, he is a high priest forever after the order of melchizedek, and from Hebrews 8, verse 6 from the ESV, Christ has obtained a ministry that is much more excellent than the Old, because the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Paul inserted the word better. Better covenant, better promises. He could end the argument there. But Paul needs to write far more to drive the thought home. After all, the Jews were saying the Law was the answer to transgressions, and he’s writing all this so he can finally get to the unshakable kingdom.

So Paul continues, Hebrews 9, verse 15 from the ESV Again, therefore, Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are old may receive the promised eternal inheritance. Can you hear him say the unshakable kingdom? Hebrews 9:24. We read this all the time. For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself.

Now to appear in the presence of God for us, question, so what holy place did Christ not enter made with hands? Well, he did not enter the tabernacle covered in animal skins, the temple made with beautiful stones, man made stuff. He went into the real holy place. He took his rightful seat and is next to God in the heavens. Paul says, dear fellow Jews, stop thinking earthly and start thinking spiritually heavenly.

Think better, think unshakable. Remember when Paul quoted from the Psalms, he is a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Moving forward, he brings us to Hebrews 9:11 to verse 14 from the Phillips again. For now Christ has come among us, the high priest of the good things which were to come, and has passed through a greater, a more perfect tent, and it was not with goats or calves blood, but with his own blood that he entered once for all into the holy of holies as the real holy of holies.

Having won for us men eternal reconciliation with God. Paul goes on to argue that if the ashes of a burnt heifer were sufficient to make a body pure, well then how much more will the blood of Christ himself, who in his eternal spirit offered himself to God as the perfect sacrifice, purify your souls from the deeds of death, that you may serve the living God? We move forward. In Hebrews chapter 10, Apostle Paul shows us some key points where he proves to his Jewish audience why the law didn’t work, and he continues leading us to the unshakable kingdom.

The first point it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin, or else they wouldn’t have had to offer them year after year after year. Number two. Christ offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins. Verse 14. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Verse 18. Where there is forgiveness of sin, there is no longer any offering for sin, and therefore, Paul continues, and notice how much the word Therefore implies our third point, verse 19. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering you remember these scriptures, for he who promised is faithful. Listen to the argument, verse 24.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of sun, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. This is new for them. The Apostle Paul keeps leading us all to the day that is drawing near. He was a logical writer, and he knew how to write a valid argument.

And do you see the call to action? Hold fast your hope. Stir up one another to love and good works. Do not neglect to meet together and encourage one another as you see the day drawing near, and now Paul talks about that famous group of faithful Hebrews in Hebrews 11, verses 13 to 40.

All these ancient worthies won a glowing testimony to their faith. But they did not then and there receive the fulfillment of the promise. God had something better planned for our day, and it was not his plan that the ancient worthies should reach perfection without us. God had something better planned better.

From Strongs 2904 means vigor, great dominion, mightily, power, strength. Remember these strong words and phrases. Paul continues his argument in Hebrews 12. 1. Since we have so great a cloud of ancient worthies surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us.

And let us run, and the us is you and me, not the restless sea, not restless mankind. Run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. For consider him who endured such hostility by sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. Even when you hear about the things that Brother Bob spoke about.

Key points. Run with endurance. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do not grow weary and lose heart. Apostle Paul, you want us to be mature.

Hebrews 11:16. Instead they the ancient worthies were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Yes, God has prepared a city for them. The ancient worthies, the kingdom of God.

Everything we’ve been reading from the pen of the Apostle is designed to lead the reader from the law all the way to the kingdom which cannot be shaken.

So what do we understand so far from Hebrews? The law could never take away sin. Jesus is the better sacrifice that takes away all sin once for all. Jesus is a high priest forever. Jesus sacrifice opens the new and living way into the true holy of holies.

The new and living way will lead to a kingdom. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Never Grow weary and encourage one another as you see the day drawing near our theme Scripture in Paul’s foundational argument to Christians and Christian Jews. We arrive at Hebrews 12:28 from the ESV again. 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. I love the Phillips translation of 1228. Since then we have been given a kingdom that is unshakable. Let us serve God with thankfulness in the ways which please him, but always with reverence and holy fear. Let us be grateful.

Since then we have been given a kingdom. Well, friends, who is the us and we here. Hebrews 6, verses 17 to 18. In the same way God desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise. Oh, that’s who the us and we are the heirs of the promise.

You who received the huge super introduction to Christ. God gave that to you.

What a gift God wants to show you here in Milwaukee and listening online. The unchangeableness of my purpose interposed with an oath so that by two unchangeable things it’s impossible for God to lie. We us who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

Christ in you, the hope of glory and the kingdom, the unshakable kingdom. What does God desire? God desires even more to show you the heirs of his promise that his purpose will happen. I, God, cannot lie. All these kingdom events will happen.

You should take refuge, have strong encouragement and seize that hope before you and say, this hope of the kingdom is for me, and I know you’re grateful for an understanding of justification and sanctification, which means being set apart for a holy purpose. We are grateful to receive this kingdom. We are to offer acceptable worship with reverence and awe because those scriptures are for you. This group in Milwaukee fulfills these scriptures through obedience to God.

Do we need to be worried or concerned about the trouble we see around us or about the future? If we are, who are those in Scripture that do not worry? We wash and clean one another with proven scriptures that remove worry and give us comfort, and that’s what Brother Bob did this morning. Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom, a kingdom that cannot be shaken, a kingdom that is unshakable.

Hebrews 12:27 29 from the Phillips translation. This means that in this final shaking, all that is impermanent will be removed. That is everything that is merely made and only the unshakable things will remain. Since then we’ve been Given a kingdom that’s unshakable. Let us serve God with thankfulness in the ways which please him.

Since then we’ve been given a kingdom that is unshakable. This is offered, given to you, just like the offer that will be made to mankind in the kingdom. Here is the law from Zion, the rules that go with it. Mankind you can obey or not. What will they do with their offer?

Be grateful like you, humble themselves and offer God and Christ worship in a manner pleasing.

You were given the kingdom. What are you doing with it?

Let’s talk about the symbolic earth. Psalm 75, 3:10. This is a great passage which confirms the horns of the wicked or power of the wicked God. God will cut off, but the horns of the or power of the righteous God will exalt. A time is coming where evil powers are dead, finished over with no more stumbling stones or rocks for anyone, and righteousness will be exalted and grow.

Verse 7. It makes it clear it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.

Let’s talk about unshakable. A kingdom that cannot be shaken. Reprint 1813 reminds us, quote with reference to this symbolic earth, this society. The Lord’s Word shows us that in its present form, this symbolic earth is to be dissolved, melted, moved, shaken, turned upside down, removed as a cottage or shack, that it is too real. As a drunkard.

I love that one, actually. End of quote. A kingdom that cannot be shaken. Not even a little bit shaken? Nope.

Hebrews 12 reminds us. All that is impermanent will be removed. That is everything that is merely made, and only the unshakable things will remain. Are you unshakable? Of course.

Are you getting the point that nothing should shake you?

Picture this. You. You’re in a theme park. You’re strapped into your seat on a roller coaster, safely buckled in, protected, and enjoying the roller coaster called the Time of Trouble Ride.

And it’s the same ride the whole world is going through. By the way, for those of you who’ve been on a roller coaster, is the ride better if you keep your eyes open and look at everything or keep them shut? Right? Eyes wide open. That way the ride is way better.

So you’re on the coaster, and the whole world is on the coaster with you. You are enjoying the ride with eyes wide open, watching every climb, watching every turn, watching everything. Blessed are your eyes, for they see. But the world doesn’t know how the ride ends. Their eyes are closed.

Some have been told it ends in tragedy. You recall the photos they Take of you on a theme park roller coaster. Yeah, everyone’s smiling to me. The Bible student followers of Christ will have ear to ear smiles. You know the ride, you know the safety you have, you know how it ends, and a general description of when.

But the world, the world is shaking, and many people that we encounter are completely freaked out. They are raw with fear. The prophecies say, faces pale, remember? Fainting, remember.

With weak knees they collapse from the pressure of what’s going on, and here you sit with the map of how the ride ends. If the world could only know. That’s one reason we witness to others.

The prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 24:1 through 4 and verse 17 to 20 shares the future with you as God arranges it. Verse 1 Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. Does this describe God and Christ’s unshakable kingdom? New what gets turned upside down?

The worldly systems are shown to be a waste. The truth about all the broken systems will be revealed, exposed and become common knowledge for the first time. The fearful inhabitants will see the revealment and be scattered. Isaiah 24:18 Then it will be that he who flees the report of disaster will fall into the pit. Can you believe that?

And he who comes out of the pit will be caught in a snare, trapped. For the windows above are opened and the foundations of the earth shake. This reveals an element of humor to me. Listen again to the verse. Earth’s inhabitants flee reports of disaster.

As they run, they fall into a pit. Seriously, a huge hole. So mankind runs from reports of disaster. Each one falls into a hole. This is the worst luck ever.

Or is it prophecy? As mankind climbs out of the hole, they’re caught in a snare, waiting for them on top. Trapped. Why is it like this? Because none except the elect will escape this time of trouble and the great climax of shaking to come.

The windows to the earth are opened. This means God had them closed prior. But now for all creation to see, the earth will symbolically shake. Verse 19. The earth is broken asunder.

The earth is split through. The earth is shaken violently.

The symbolic earth is split open to dissect and look at on the roller coaster up and down. It is thrilling for us. We still have huge smiles because our faith is exploding with confirmation from world events. These things you see, and we are the only ones smiling in the roller coaster photo.

Brethren, keep that smile. I need to see you.

That’s you, you know. Listen to verse 20 the earth reels to and fro like a drunkard, and it totters like a shack, for its transgression is heavy upon it, and it will fall, never underline, never, never to rise again. Well, that’s a powerful image. The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard.

Does God have a sense of humor? I believe so. God told the prophet Isaiah, tell them that the inhabitants of the earth will be so exasperated, so intoxicated with fear because they already fell into a pit, they crawled out, they got caught in a snare when they got out, and the result? They will behave like drunkards.

The earth and all its inhabitants, because mankind is so connected, they will operate in unison as a drunkard. Bob touched on this a little bit. For example, a horrific piece of news is now heard instantaneously, simultaneously, all around the world. The result is the swaying in unison like a drunkard, as mankind reacts to failures with no solutions to these end of age events. Being so connected with one voice, man wobbles this way and that way and stays in confusion with no solution.

All behaving like a drunkard. You’ve seen the videos or you’ve seen it in person. Wobbles three steps forward, five steps backwards. Then we go this way, and then we stagger this way. He’s not well.

He staggers. I’m asking you to respond to God and smile knowingly at their desperation and foolishness. You are free from so many things and you’re free to smile. Be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe.

I want you to think why God wrote that it’s okay to think of them as drunkards tottering.

The society totters like a shack, not a house on solid foundation. A point I really like is, who told Satan to build his house on solid rock? No one, and he did not. His legacy is a shack ready to fall.

So laugh at him. Pastor Russell said it best. The kingdom which the church is to receive will be the only institution which will stand the shaking time. All other things will be shaken and overthrown. Individuals who do not see the signs of the times and the change of ages upon us may say to themselves, you know, we’ve got lots of time.

We’re going to enjoy the things of this world. But we’re not like that.

We fully embrace our spiritual responsibilities and gifts. We don’t want to be unprepared for significant changes. They may occur unexpectedly. We see how things can turn on a dime. Things that will catch others unaware as like a thief in the night.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be? In all holy conversation and godliness let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. We lead our thinking with gratitude, not fear. If you have fear, work with God to flip it around with gratitude. Be a fearless witness.

2nd Peter 3:10 through 12:10 13 but the day of the Lord will come as a thief, in which the heaven shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat the earth also, and the works that are there, and shall be burned up. You know these scriptures. Verse 12 looking for and hastening unto the presence of the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Verse 13 nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for look for it look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness Are you looking up or are you stuck looking down at the problematic world? Make your choice.

Be a fearless witness. The Scriptures teach that the symbolic earth and society as we know it will melt and be dissolved. These are plain figures of speech describing a time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation, and that the fire is symbolic, the fire of God’s jealousy after the earth and the society has been consumed with fire to the earth and its inhabitants. God will then turn unto them and provide that pure language. Zephaniah 3, verses 8 and 9 mankind will serve him with one consent all together, shoulder to shoulder.

Now the earth melted, dissolved, and reeled like a trunk reeled like a drunkard trying to walk. It is funny from God’s point of view, but any one of our churchgoing friends might say so. After the earth is symbolically destroyed, mankind will still be on earth, and God will give them something new like how did this u turn happen? Answer reprint 1814 quote but that will be in the new earth symbolically, although upon the same earth, literally the new earth will be the new organization of society, with its new heavens or new religious systems, the church or government of righteousness for which we pray thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Under that kingdom there will be no more sea, no more longer a restless law opposing anarchistic class, because the former things, the evils of the present social order, will have given place to the perfection of righteous government long promised in God’s word.

End of quote Foreign let’s talk about reverence and awe. Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins. You know that phrase should stop you in your tracks.

He gave who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil age according to the will of God and our Father.

Why might he deliver us? Because you maintained your reverence and awe for God. You maintained your consecration and happily sacrificed as you watched this old evil world give way so that it must give place to the world to come Wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Hebrews 6, verse 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. Second Peter 3:67 and verse 13 during the flood, the world that then was being overflowed with water perished. But the heavens and the earth, which are now by the same word, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Hebrews 1:10 through 12. This was taken from Psalms 102:25 to 26.

We’ll read from the NIV, verse 10. He also says in the beginning Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. The they will perish, but you remain they will all wear out like a garment you will roll them up like a robe, like a garment they will be changed, but you are the same. How fast is it for you to change your clothes? Pretty fast.

God and his works continue to awe us. The change of dispensations will come, and mankind is going to be better off. Like the flood, the symbolic heavens and earth are to pass away with a violent shaking, to give place to a new order, social and religious. Now we read Hebrews 12:26 and 27 whose voice then shook the earth like at Mount Sinai. But now he hath promised, saying, yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

And this word yet once more signifies the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. The teaching of the dissolution of present arrangements is confirmed in verse 28. Paul teaches us about the unmovable kingdom which must be established before the new heavens and earth is established, which the prophet David declares cannot be moved. Brother Russell said it best. Isaiah 34:2 5 and Revelation 6:14 to 17 reveal the symbolic illustrations of the way in which the chains of dispensations will be effected from this present evil world ruled by the Prince of this world, to the world to come wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Then we read in Revelations 21:5 of the blessings of that new world or order of things, when it shall have come.

Hebrews 4:1. Oh, my friends, this needs your attention. This needs my attention. This is medication. This is for us.

This is for you. Today we read Hebrews 4:1. Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest, Christ’s rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. Could you use an extra hour of sleep today? Wouldn’t it have been nice to have.

Yeah, yeah. One hour to rest. But go get your rest in Christ. It’s waiting for you. Take it.

Friends, Paul said, rest in Christ stands available for you today. Be careful that you take enough rest so that it extinguishes worry, extinguishes fear, but accomplishes the reverence and awe of our theme scripture. Take enough rest in him and don’t fall short. Remember you are resting in him even while you’re on the roller coaster of the end of an age. God provided you with a seat belt for this time of trouble ride.

The seat belt is the truth which allows you perfect vision as to why things happen the way they do. Your eyes are wide open. Blessed are your eyes, for they see the seat belt of faith means your relationship with Christ, and God allows you free enjoyment of the ride. Faith is the substance of things hoped for.

Your fellow riders in the world have no idea how this ride will end. They are fearful. You’re not fearful. We know the ride will end well, just like God promised. You are thrilled and smiling the whole way.

The Lord has let you see the whole ride and now you are a fearless witness. The ride fascinates us as gospel age events occur with anticipation. We look for the joy and blessing to come in that glorious unshakable kingdom. We can choose to smile or choose to be afraid, and there are no scriptures telling you to be afraid.

Friends, we are grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and we rejoice as we offer all we have to God. Acceptable worship with reverence and offer as plan gratitude for our current blessings. Offer God’s love and mercy and the jaw dropping miracle when everyone sees the dead rising from the tombs. May the Lord add his blessing.

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