“Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.'” Hebrews 12:27
There are several times in Scripture when we read where God said: “Yet once more I shake not only the earth but also heaven.” What is the significance of this phrase, and why does God declare it in the Old as well as the New Testament?
When the Lord Jesus gave us the “Lord’s Prayer,” as written in Matthew’s gospel, He spoke of the kingdom (or reign) of God coming, where His will is done, “On earth as it is in heaven.” (6:10) This short statement is so very important, for it was given first to give mankind a glimpse of the enormity, and the extent, of the works of God, His will and purposes. That which is reality in heaven, was intended to be upon this earth, with regard to Christ’s kingdom and reign. The fact that Christ is now at the right hand of God, having overcome all the power of the enemy, sitting, and sometimes standing, in absolute authority, declares to us in an amplified way that the victory of Christ which He won on Calvary, is closer to being realized perfectly on earth as in heaven. Though for a time, we see only limited manifestations of His kingdom having come in the hearts of men, yet there is coming a day when “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun doth His successive journeys run; His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, ‘Till moons shall wax and wane no more.” Though the hymnwriter writes the truth of the absoluteness of Christ’s reign, one day to be realized for time and eternity when God will create a new heaven and heart, yet now, in this present moment, His church, Christ’s followers, God’s children, are called upon to believe Him, and work towards the spreading of the Gospel, in order to bring about His reign in the hearts and lives of men, revealing His glory, His saving power, demonstrating His victory over sin, Satan, and death. Therefore, what should the church of God expect, look for, hope in, with regard to the bringing to pass of His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?
In the book of Haggai, when the first exiles of the deportation returned to Jerusalem, according to the commandment of Cyrus the Great, God made it clear that the rebuilding of the temple, and the restoration of true worship, was the foremost objective. This was paramount to all else, as only the true worship of God could replace the idolatrous practices of the day. However, even after the Lord stirred up Zerubbabel and the people to engage in the work, the remembrance of the glory of Solomon’s temple, having been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, still loomed before them. That which they had now before them was as nothing in glory and splendor, compared with that which had been destroyed. It is then, by Haggai, that the Lord speaks to the despondent people: “Yet now be strong…and work, for I am with you.” (Hag. 2:4) What is the great factor, the basis and means, for rising up in the face of impossible odds, to rebuild the temple? It was the promise of God’s presence and power: “According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” For over seventy years the spiritual enemy of Israel, had been working to reestablish his reign, his control over Jerusalem, and its worship. However, GOD would speak yet again, declaring His intervention: “For thus saith the Lord of hosts: Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land; I will shake all nations, and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory.” (2:6,7) God intervened then, and does so now. Jesus will reign revealing His glory.
Dear Father, Shake earth and heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.