“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens…” so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. Hebrews 12:26-28

Is anybody feeling a little shaky these days? Like things are a little unstable? We’re talking about what creates instability, nervousness, and dread. In America, the democracy we always thought was so stable is suddenly looking very shaky. Our economy? Shaky. Conservatives and liberals getting along together? Shaky. Politics? Shaky. Elections? Shaky. Job security? Shaky. News sources we can trust? Shaky. Churches, pastors, denominations? Shaky. The future of a healthy planet earth? Shaky. Social stability? Shaky. Racial harmony? Very shaky. Nuclear buildup? Shaky.

The passage above predicts the Great Shakedown when God will shake both the heavens and the earth. Now that’s a significant shakedown and it hasn’t happened yet, but it’s coming. Still, what we’re experiencing now is a precursor to it and it should put us all on watch. Though this is not the Great Shakedown, we see how it could happen, and how quickly things we thought were stable can unravel.

Friends, it’s becoming more and more clear that we are in the last days. Of course every generation since Christ was here has been saying that, except that now, even an unbeliever can see that it’s true. I never thought we’d make it this far. But here we are, and that only means the end is that much closer.

“So don’t sit around on your hands. No more dragging your feet. Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall … Help each other out. And run for it [the goal]!” (Hebrews 12:2 MSG)

The shakedown is so that which can be shaken will fall away, and that which cannot be shaken will remain. And that which cannot be shaken is the Kingdom of God. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful.”

And lest you think this message is just to make us believers feel better about the shaky world we live in right now, it is not. The whole point of this message is to instill in us the urgency of our vision: to introduce the gospel of welcome — grace turned outward — to everyone everywhere while there still is time.

Time is running out.

Can’t you see we’re close to the end

You no longer can laugh and pretend

You’ve been fooled right from the start

Why not give in and open your heart?

Don’t go searching into the skies

He’s right here in front of your eyes

You don’t have to go very far

He will come to you right where you are

How He loves you and wants you to see

The full measure He made you to be

With His presence living inside

You will never have to live a lie

You’ve been fooled from the start

Why not give in and open your heart?

                      From “Open Your Heart” by John Fischer from the album, Still Life.