Shake the Heavens and the Earth
After describing the festal gathering occurring in heaven, Paul warns
the readers that they need to pay attention to God’s voice because God
will shake “ ‘yet once more . . . not only the earth but also the heav-
ens’ ” (Heb. 12:26, ESV). Paul is saying that although Jesus has been
enthroned in heaven, our salvation has not been consummated. We need
to pay attention because an important event is still to happen.
Compare Haggai 2:6–9, 20–22; Psalm 96:9, 10; Psalm 99:1; and
Hebrews 12:26, 27. What is the purpose of God’s shaking the heav­
ens and the earth? What does this mean?
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In the Old Testament, the shaking of the earth was a common figure
for the presence of God, who shows up to deliver His people. When
Deborah and Barak fought against Sisera, God fought from heaven on
their behalf (Judg. 5:20). This is described as a powerful earthquake,
a shaking of the earth and mountains because of the presence of God
(Judg. 5:4, 5). We find this same image appearing throughout the Old
Testament when God arises to deliver the oppressed (Ps. 68:7, 8; Ps.
60:2; Ps. 77:17, 18). Thus, a shaking signaled God’s judgment as
He asserts His authority over the peoples of the earth. The prophets
predicted this would happen in the day of the Lord (Isa. 13:13, Isa.
24:18–23).
For Hebrews, the “shaking” of heaven and earth refers to the destruc-
tion of the enemies of God. This is what God promised at the enthrone-
ment of Jesus. God said to Him: “ ‘Sit at my right hand until I make
your enemies a footstool for your feet’ ” (Heb. 1:13, ESV). Thus, Jesus
has defeated the enemy (Heb. 2:14–16) and been enthroned (Heb.
1:5–14), but the enemies have not yet been destroyed (Heb. 10:11–14,
1 Cor. 15:23–25).
But God will destroy these enemies in the future, when He will
shake the heavens and the earth. The shaking of the heavens and the
earth means, then, the destruction of the earthly powers that persecute
God’s people and, more important, the destruction of the evil pow-
ers (Satan and his angels) who stand behind the earthly powers and
control them.
Why is the promise that one day justice will be done, and the evil
that has been so prevalent in our world will one day be destroyed,
such a hopeful promise for us all, especially those who have suf­
fered directly at the hands of evil?