Pursue Holiness: Fearful Judgment and the Heavenly Zion
Hebrews 12:14-29
14Pursue peace with all and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and through it many become defiled.16See to it that no one is sexually immoral or profane like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.17For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, although he sought it with tears.18For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest.19And the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, which those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.20For they could not endure the order that was given. If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am terrified and trembling."22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels in festal gathering.23And to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.24And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.25See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much more will we not escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven."27This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.28Therefore 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.29For our God is a consuming fire.