The Fearless Witness

This transcript was generated automatically. Its accuracy may vary

Short Summary
The discourse emphasizes remaining steadfast and unshaken in faith amidst global turmoil by embracing the unshakable kingdom promised through Christ, as explained by Apostle Paul in Hebrews. It contrasts the imperfect law with the perfect, eternal sacrifice of Jesus, urging believers to fix their eyes on Him, encourage one another, and live with reverence, gratitude, and awe. Using vivid imagery and scripture, it portrays the current world as unstable and transient while assuring that God’s eternal kingdom offers peace and hope beyond the turmoil.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of “The Fearless Witness” Discourse

Theme Scripture:
– 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 entire message: believers have been given an unshakable kingdom, and their response should be grateful worship marked by reverence and awe.

Context of the Times:
– Recent global events have fractured societies, stirring anarchy, political turmoil, and emotional unrest.
– Christians are urged *not* to get drawn into the chaos of news, social media anger, or worldly turmoil because such distractions bring no peace.
– Instead, believers must remain unshaken, preserve the unity of the body of Christ, and maintain peace and rest in Christ.

Christian Responsibility and Self-Control:
– Drawing from a quote (Fifth volume, p.112), one of the chief battles is to subdue self-will and align fully with God’s will, suppressing natural ambitions and presenting oneself as a living sacrifice in service to God.
– These trials mirror the struggles of Christ (“our captain”) and are experienced by all brethren.

Paul’s Argument in Hebrews:
– Paul addresses backsliding Christian Jews aware of the tension between Jewish Law and faith in Christ.
– He explains the superiority of Christ over angels (Hebrews 1:1-5), emphasizing Christ’s position at God’s right hand, a status never granted to angels (Hebrews 1:13).
– Christ is described as “stronger, nobler” (Strong’s 2904), surpassing all previous covenants and religious systems.

Mature Teaching vs. Elementary Teaching:
– Hebrews 6:1 encourages moving beyond elementary teachings (repentance, faith) toward maturity in understanding Christ’s role and the “better hope” He brings.
– The law is deemed ineffective for true spiritual maturity (Hebrews 7:18-19), incapable of perfecting anyone, while Christ introduces a superior covenant.

Christ’s Eternal Priesthood:
– Hebrews 7:22-25 explains Christ’s priesthood as permanent and perfect, unlike earthly priests who die and are replaced.
– Christ intercedes eternally for believers, guaranteeing a better covenant.

Better Covenant and Eternal Inheritance:
– Hebrews 8:6 highlights the superior ministry of Christ mediated on better promises.
– Hebrews 9:15 describes Jesus as mediator of the new covenant, offering eternal inheritance.
– Christ entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not a man-made tabernacle or temple (Hebrews 9:24).

The Perfect Sacrifice:
– Unlike animal sacrifices, Christ’s single offering is perfect and sufficient (Hebrews 9:11-14; Hebrews 10:1-18).
– This sacrifice provides eternal forgiveness and sanctification, removing the need for repeated offerings.

Call to Hold Fast and Encourage One Another:
– Hebrews 10:19-25 exhorts believers to confidently enter God’s presence through Jesus, hold fast their hope without wavering, and stimulate love and good works.
– Meeting together and mutual encouragement is vital, especially as “the day” (end times) draws near.

Faithful Ancient Worthies and Our Race:
– Hebrews 11:39-40 states that ancient faithful ones did not receive the fullness of promises; God’s plan includes us.
– Hebrews 12:1-3 calls believers to run the race with endurance, fix eyes on Jesus, and not grow weary or lose heart.

The Unshakable Kingdom and Its Contrast With Earthly Systems:
– The present symbolic earth and its systems will be shaken and dissolved (Hebrews 12:26-27), removing all impermanent things so only the unshakable kingdom remains.
– Psalm 75:3-10 affirms God’s judgment: He will cut off the power of the wicked and exalt the righteous.
– The current social order is compared to a “shack” tottering like a drunkard, emphasizing its instability and impending collapse.
– Isaiah 24:1-4,17-20 describes the earth as turned upside down, inhabitants fleeing disaster but falling into traps—a vivid prophecy of worldwide confusion and judgment.

Believers as Aliens in a Foreign Land:
– 1 Timothy 2:1-2 encourages prayers for all authorities so believers may live peaceful, quiet lives amid chaos.
– Christians are called to be free from worldly fear, to smile knowingly amid societal collapse, and to maintain faith and gratitude for the unshakable kingdom.

Faith as a Seatbelt on the Roller Coaster Ride:
– The “Time of Trouble” is likened to a roller coaster ride with eyes wide open, secured by faith (the seatbelt).
– Believers can enjoy the ride confidently because they know how it ends, unlike the fearful world.

The Future New Order:
– After the symbolic destruction of the current heavens and earth, God will establish a new order of righteousness (Zephaniah 3:8-9; Revelation 21:5).
– This kingdom will bring peace, stability, and removal of restless opposition (“no more sea”).

Reverence and Awe in Worship:
– Galatians 1:4 reminds believers that Christ gave Himself to deliver them from the present evil age, highlighting the cost and calling for reverence.
– Fearlessness comes from resting fully in Christ (Hebrews 4:1), which extinguishes worry and fosters holy living.

Scriptural Confirmation of the Shaking and Establishment of the Kingdom:
– Hebrews 12:26-27 describes the final shaking removing all that is shaken so that only what cannot be shaken remains.
– The new kingdom is described as immovable and eternal (Psalm 102:25-26).
– The passing of the old world and coming of the new are symbolized by fire and judgment (2 Peter 3:10-13).

Final Exhortation:
– Believers are urged to be *fearless witnesses*, living with gratitude, awe, and steadfast hope.
– The “day” is near; believers must encourage one another, hold fast their confession, and rejoice in the promise of the unshakable kingdom.
– The discourse closes with a wish that all may witness the resurrection and receive God’s blessing.

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Key Bible Verses Cited:

– Hebrews 12:28 (Theme)
– Hebrews 1:1-5, 1:13 (Christ superior to angels)
– Hebrews 6:1, 6:9 (Mature teaching, better hope)
– Hebrews 7:18-25 (Better covenant and eternal priesthood)
– Hebrews 8:6 (Better ministry)
– Hebrews 9:15, 9:24, 9:11-14 (Mediator of new covenant, true sanctuary)
– Hebrews 10:1-25 (Perfect sacrifice and call to perseverance)
– Hebrews 11:39-40, 12:1-3, 12:26-27 (Faithful examples, endurance, shaking)
– Psalm 75:3-10 (God’s judgment)
– Isaiah 24:1-4, 17-20 (Earthly upheaval)
– 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (Prayers for peace)
– Galatians 1:4 (Christ gave Himself for sins)
– 2 Peter 3:10-13 (Day of the Lord and new heavens/earth)
– Zephaniah 3:8-9 (Mankind serving God in unity)
– Revelation 21:5 (New order and blessings)
– Hebrews 4:1 (Entering God’s rest)
– Psalm 102:25-26 (Earth and heavens will perish)

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Summary Conclusion:
This discourse exhorts believers to stand firm and fearless amidst global turmoil by focusing on the unshakable kingdom promised through Christ. It highlights the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice and priesthood over the old law, the importance of spiritual maturity, mutual encouragement, and reverent worship. Believers are assured that despite the symbolic shaking and dissolution of the current world order, God’s eternal kingdom will remain, inviting a joyful and confident hope that transforms fear into gratitude and awe.

Transcript

The Fearless Witness this is a story about us. Let’s start with our theme scripture, which is 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. In the past few months the news events have been fracturing the world. If anarchy is to come, leadership could look and act differently everywhere and politics would need to whip the world into a frenzy to gain control.

You cannot be part of that. We have to be, and we must be unaffected by the events around us. Will we stay the course and remain unshaken? The body of Christ needs you to fight that, to preserve the one body. If you get sucked into the vortex of news, sorrow, trouble, angst, turmoil, emotionally charged events, or social media posts that make your blood boil, you will find no peace.

If you feel anything other than full peace and rest in Christ, you might be in trouble. It would be like introducing a virus into the body of Christ. What are our responsibilities? What are your responsibilities? I like the fifth volume, page 112.

One of the chief battles of those who walk this narrow way is against self will to bring their wills into fullest subjection to the Heavenly Father’s will and to keep them there to rule their own hearts, crushing out the rising ambitions which are natural even to the perfect manhood. Quenching these kindling fires and presenting their bodies and all earthly interests as living sacrifices in the service of the Lord and His cause. These were the trials in which our captain gained his victory and its laurels, and these also are the trials of his brethren.

Apostle Paul, a Jewish man with Roman citizenship, fully understands the backsliding a Christian Jew could make. Backsliding into old habits no longer approved by God. Paul sees all 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 in Hebrews to convince Christian Jews and future Christians of all types why we are to remain faithful to Christ and why Paul’s arguments are not only true, but better.

And as you listen, you’ll see how Paul leads the reader to the unshakable kingdom.

Paul in Hebrews 1:1:5 says, 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, contrasting the sacrifices they brought to the temple. This is once for all and verse four having become much better than the angels, as he 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 2904 means stronger, nobler, the best.

The proof Christ is Stronger nobler. Hebrews 1, verse 13. Paul repeats, but to which of the angels has God ever said, sit at my right hand until I make thine enemies a footstool for thy feet. He convinces further. 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. Paul says there’s an elementary teaching and mature teaching, and he tells them, I already gave you the elementary teaching. Those basic doctrines we each harmonize through Scriptures. But once 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 learned the multiplication tables, we generally don’t need to go back. We move forward to deeper, mature things, and all of you have, haven’t you? Two times two equals right. You proved the In Hebrews six, nine.

Paul encourages them. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things. In your case, 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, 18:19 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 approach our God. End of quote. Remember that in chapter six, Paul was saying there are elementary teachings and mature teachings.

He’s telling them the law was incapable of bringing anyone to real maturity. I love verse 19 from the king James. We read for the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of 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’s better than anything you can dream up.

The law was not capable of bringing anyone to real maturity, but God brought you to maturity. No more milk for you. God gave you a super introduction to His Son.

Moving forward to Hebrews chapter 7, verses 22 to 25. I love it from the Phillips. We Read, and he is, by virtue of this fact, himself the living guarantee of a better agreement. Human high priests have always been changing for death made a permanent position, permanent appointment, impossible.

You think so? 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.

Hebrews 8:6 6. 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 that the law was the answer to transgressions, and he’s writing all of this so he can find finally get to the unshakable kingdom. So Paul continues, Hebrews chapter 9, verse 15 from the ESV. Therefore Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who were called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

Can you hear him say the unshakeable kingdom?

Hebrews 9:24. 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.

So what holy place did Christ not enter that was made with hands?

He didn’t enter the tabernacle covered in animal skins, the temple of Solomon 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, and 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.

Hebrews 9, 11:14 from the Phillips. For now Christ has come among us, the high priest of the good things which were to come, and has passed through a greater and 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, the real holy of holies. Having won for us men eternal reconciliation with God.

Paul goes on to argue that at the ashes of a burnt heifer were sufficient to make a body pure. Then how much more will the blood of Christ himself, the perfect sacrifice, purify your souls from the deeds of death, that you may serve the living God.

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 all 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.

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, and 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. Verse 19 Therefore brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy place 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, 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 Son, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

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 11:39 40 and 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. By better from Strong’s 2904 means vigor, great dominion, mightily with power, strength.

Remember these powerful 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 also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run well the us is you and me. It’s not the restless sea, it’s not restless mankind. Let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.

Key points Run with endurance.

Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Do not grow weary and lose heart.

Apostle Paul wants us to be mature. Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 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. Friends, 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.

Now, our theme scripture in Paul’s main argument to Christians and Christian Jews. We arrive at Hebrews 12:28 again from the ESV. Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. I love it. From the Phillips, Hebrews 12:28.

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. Who is the us and who is the we? Here, Hebrews 6, 17, 18, we read in the same way God desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise. Well, that’s who the us and the we is here, the heirs of the promise.

You who received this huge super introduction to Christ from God.

God wants to show you here in Orlando and those listening the unchangeableness of my purpose interposed with an oath. So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

We heard this earlier today. 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 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.

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 have been given a kingdom that is unshakeable.

Let us serve God with thankfulness in the ways which please him.

Since then we have 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, obey or not.

What will they do with their offer? Will they be grateful, humble themselves, and worship God and Christ in a manner pleasing?

We were given the kingdom. What are we doing with it?

Let’s talk about the symbolic earth. I like Psalm 75, verses 3 to 10. Just a few snippets. This is a great passage which confirms God will cut off the horns or power of the wicked, but the horns 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 rock for anyone in their way, and righteousness will be exalted and grow.

Verse seven 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, with reference to this symbolic earth, this society.

The Lord’s word shows us that in its present form, the this symbolic earth is to be dissolved, melted, moved, shaken, turned upside down, removed as a cottage, a shack that is to reel as a drunkard. End of quote. A kingdom that cannot be shaken. Like. Not even like 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? Well, of course.

Are you getting the point that nothing should shake you? Not even the news?

Picture this. We’re in Orlando, of all places, to picture this. You’re in a theme park. You’re strapped into your seat on a roller coaster, buckled in, protected, and enjoying the roller coaster called the Time of Trouble ride.

And it’s the same ride the whole world is on, and by the way, for those of you who have been on roller coasters, is the ride better if you keep your eyes open or keep them shut? Which is better? Yeah, open. Okay, so the ride is way better with your eyes open.

Okay, so you’re on the coaster and the whole World is on the coaster with you. Well, you. I mean, you’re enjoying the ride with eyes wide open, watching every climb, every dip, watching every turn. You’re 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 badly. You recall the photos they take of you on a theme park roller coaster, trying to make an extra buck as you walk off, right? Almost everyone is smiling to me.

The followers of Christ will have smiles, ear to ear because you know the ride, you know how it ends, and a general idea of when. But the world is shaking and many people are freaked out. They are raw with fear, the prophecies say. Faces pale, fainting, with weak knees, and here you all sit with a map of how the ride ends.

Well, well. The Prophet Isaiah, chapter 24, verses 1 to 4 and verses 17 to 20, shares the future with you as God arranges it. Verse 1. Behold, the Lord makes the earth empty, a waste, and turns it upside down and scatters abroad the inhabitants. 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 to man for the first, first time, and the fearful inhabitants will scatter. Isaiah 24, verse 18. Then it will be that he who flees the report of disaster will fall into the pit.

Wow, and he who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare, trapped. For the windows above are opened and the foundations of the earth shake. What a scripture. Notice there’s an element of humor in this.

Listen again to the verse. Earth’s inhabitants flee reports of disaster. Okay? And as they run, they fall into a pit, a huge hole. So mankind runs from reports of disaster, only to fall into a hole.

Now, is this the worst luck ever or is it prophecy? Then as mankind climbs out of the hole, they’re caught in a snare, trapped. Why is it like this? Because none except the elect will escape the worries of the time of trouble and the great shaking to come. Verse 19.

The earth is broken asunder, split through, shaken violently. The symbolic earth is split open and dissected to look at on the roller coaster up and down. It’s thrilling for us. We still have huge smiles because our faith is exploding with confirmation from the world events we see. We are the only ones smiling in the roller coaster photo.

And I ask you, keep this, that smile, loved ones. Let’s keep it. Help me keep it right. Verse 20. The earth reels to and fro like A drunkard.

It totters like a shack, for its transgression is heavy and it will fall, never to rise again. Now that’s a powerful image. The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard. Does God have a sense of humor? I’ve discussed this with brethren.

You know what some of us think so I do. God told the prophet Isaiah, you tell them, you tell them in Orlando and anyone who’s going to read this, 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, and the result? The earth and all its inhabitants will behave like drunkards. Picture this.

A horrific piece of news is now heard instantaneously, simultaneously, all around the world. The result is the swaying all together, like a drunkard, as mankind reacts to society’s failures with with no solutions to these end of age events. This world, drunk from the news, wobbles this way and that way and stays in confusion with no solution, behaving like a drunkard. Think of the videos you’ve seen. A couple of steps backwards, a couple of steps forward, left and right, and then fall down and back up and we try again, right?

That’s them. That’s the description God gave you.

Anarchy means a state of disorder due to absence or non recognition of authority or other controlling systems. If the world moves to anarchy and you’re involved in politics in any way, and then your politics disappear, well, now what? Where did you have your hope? Are you negatively affecting anyone or your brethren around you with your words? Have I accidentally damaged the one body?

Your body?

We who belong to the new kingdom are aliens in a foreign country. Here. First Timothy 2, verses 1 through 2 says that prayers should be made on behalf of all men. For kings and rulers in positions of responsibility so that our consecrated lives may be lived in peace and quiet. That’s why we pray so we may have peace.

That’s as close as we get to our leaders.

I’m asking you to respond to God and smile knowingly as you witness the desperation and foolishness around you. You are free from so many things. 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 says it’s okay to think of them as drunkards tottering. The society totters like a shack, not a house on a solid foundation. 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 its absurdity. 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.

Sounds good to me. Individuals who do not see the signs of the times and the change of ages upon us may say to themselves, we’ve got lots of time. We’re going to enjoy the things of this world. But we’re not like that, right? We fully embrace our spiritual responsibilities and gifts.

We don’t want to be unprepared for significant changes that may occur unexpectedly. Things that will catch others unawares 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 all be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. We lead our thinking with gratitude, not fear. If you have fear and look at I’ve had it from time to time, flip it around with gratitude.

Work on it. Be a fearless witness 2nd Peter 3:1012 but the day of the Lord will come as a thief, in which the heaven shall pass away with a great noise. The elements shall melt with fervent heat. The earth and its works shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness?

Nevertheless, we who look to his promise 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 society has been consumed with fire, God will then turn to them and provide that pure language. Zephaniah 3, verses 8 and 9 mankind will serve him with one consent altogether. Shoulder to shoulder I love that you know in unison our church going friends might ask so after the earth is symbolically destroyed, mankind will still be here on earth and God will give them something new. How did this u turn happen? Answer reprint 1814 but that will be in the new earth, symbolically upon the same earth.

Literally the new earth will be the new organization of society with its new heavens or new religious system, 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 longer a restless law opposing anarchistic class, because the former things, the evils of this present social order, will have given place to the perfection of the righteous government long promised in God’s word.

Let’s talk about reverence and awe. Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins. That phrase should stop you in your tracks. 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 happily sacrificed. You were a fearless witness watching this old evil world give way to give place to the world to come wherein dwelleth righteousness. Hebrews 6:5 and having tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 2nd Peter 3:6, 7:13 we read during the flood the world that then was perished but the heavens and the earth, which are now are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Psalms 102:25 26 from the NIV Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

They will perish, but you remain. 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 earths are to pass away with a violent shaking, to give place to a new order, a better order, social and religious.

Now we read Hebrews 12, 26 and 27. His voice shook the earth like at Mount Sinai. But now he is promised, saying, yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven. Verse 27 and this word yet once more signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, things that are made, so 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 declared cannot be moved.

Brother Russell said it best. I Isaiah 34, 2, 5 and Revelation 6, 14, 17, reveal the symbolic illustrations of the way in which the change of dispensation will be affected from this present evil world ruled by the Prince of this world, to the world to come wherein dwelleth righteousness. Then read in Revelation 21:5 of the blessings of that new world, or order of things after it shall come.

Oh, and this Scripture, friends, this Scripture needs my attention. This needs Our attention Hebrews 4:1 we read Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. Friends, Paul said, rest in Christ stands available for you today. Be careful that you take enough rest in him so that it extinguishes worry and fear, but accomplishes the reverence and awe of our theme scripture. Take enough rest in him and don’t fall short.

We were reminded with the time change. Get your sleep. So we too say, get your rest in Christ. Be at peace. It’s available for you.

Remember you are resting in him even while you’re on the roller coaster of the end of an age. God provided you a seatbelt for this time of troubled ride. The seatbelt is the truth which gives 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 God and His Son 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 and they are fearful. Are you fearful of this ride? I know you’re not. We know the ride will end well, just like God promised.

You are thrilled and smiling the whole way, and now we are all a fearless witness.

In closing, the ride fascinates us as Gospel age events occur with anticipation of the joys 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 for his plan, gratitude for our blessings, awe for 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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