In the book of Hebrews, we read of the end times: “The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:27-29).
We are living in exciting and challenging times and we will not allow uncertainty to overwhelm us. God is busy shaking things to prepare us for what is coming.
I often wondered what that shaking would look like, I think what has been happening has given us a good idea – our borders are closing, and the virus has gone global. But a great consolation is that we are part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Are we really aware of what we have? An unshakable Kingdom. Do we understand how thankful we must be? Not only thankful but brimming with worship and a deep reverence for God. He is not an indifferent bystander. We are His witnesses; He is the resurrected ascended and exalted Christ.
for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved”.
In Acts, the place they were meeting in was shaken. If we desire to be an Acts church, the exalted Christ urges us to complete His mission to spread His love and good News.
In Acts 4:12, Peter boldly declares: “You crucified the very one that was chosen by God, he has become the chief cornerstone…there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved”.
Like Peter, we too cannot but speak and witness of what we have seen and heard. When we see the Holy Spirit emboldening the believers, we have no reason to shrink back.
What marked the life and witness of the Acts church in chapter 4 was their boldness and urgency. After their prayer “grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness”, the immediate divine answer was that they were all filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The word ‘all’ is not confined to a select few of apostles who stayed in Jerusalem, but to the majority of believers scattered everywhere.
God is working powerfully today, and He wants to use His church to complete its mission the salt and light needs to be spread abroad. This shaking is awakening the sleeping giant of the church to new opportunities, even as other doors are closing. We are part of an unshakable kingdom.