Thursday, August 20, 2015

Hebrews 12:14-29


Our God is a Consuming Fire


What it says:

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Heb 12:18  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Heb 12:19  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
Heb 12:20  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Heb 12:21  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

What it means:

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness,

What two things are we to follow? 1. Peace with all men, and, 2. Holiness

Notice it says “Follow” both peace and holiness.

Define: Follow – go after, pursue, chase, trail, hunt, stick to, abide by, keep to, respect, adhere to

To follow means to pursue, to go after, to hunt for peace with all men. It may be that those men are not looking for peace with us, but we are to pursue peace with them. We also are told here to hunt for, to stick to, and to adhere to holiness as a way of life. We are always seeking peace with men. We are also always seeking holiness which is the rule that must govern our behavior if we are to be the children of God.

What must govern our behavior? Peace and holiness. Reconciliation with God -- and man, whom God loves. Behavior that is based on the word of God. These are the principles that a true Christian lives by.

Define: Principles – basic assumption or underlying law, ethical standard, characteristic ingredient

The two “principles” that are to underpin or hold up our lives are peace and holiness.

Define: Peace – concord, end of war, amity, harmony, freedom from strife, reconciliation, (Antonym: war); calm, quiet, stillness, tranquility, silence, harmony, serenity, (Antonym: uproar)

Define: Holiness – sanctity, piety, godliness, saintliness, consecration, devoutness, devotion, purity

When these two things are present in our lives, others will notice they are there, by the things we do and the things we say. Our words and our actions will be in harmony with each another.

1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

How are we to love? In deed and in truth.

What is a deed? An intentional act, undertaking, something you have done

Who would this deed be done to or for? To men. For God.

To love in deed, means to take actions that demonstrate love and compassion for fellow men and women. To do an act of kindness and then repeat other acts of kindness until doing deeds of love becomes a habit of your life.

“And in truth” – when we demonstrate our love by our deeds, we then show that we love “in truth” and not just in speech or self aggrandizement.

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Speaking to the Lord (saying, “Lord, Lord”) is important, but if we do not do the will of the Father in heaven, then we are missing something and are not really God’s children. We must live our lives based on God and His word – in truth. It is our hearts not our voice box that the Lord desires.

without which no man shall see the Lord:

What happens if we fight with men and live ungodly lives? We don't and we won't see the Lord.

Define: See – observe, witness, glimpse, catch sight of, set eyes on, visit, pay a visit to, go to see

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

We are saved by grace and nothing is better than that! Once we are saved, then the conduct of our lives becomes important. If we hope to see the Lord Jesus, we must keep his commandments. If we do that, we shall continue to abide in His love. We are to follow His example, in which, he kept His Father’s commandments and remained in His love.

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently

Define: Looking – direct eyes at something, use eyes to examine, watch, search, seek, look for, try to find, consider something, face a particular direction, pay attention

The idea of “looking” is tied to the idea of “seeing.” We would like to see God, but we will only do that if we are looking for Him. Our behavior is truly based on what we are seeking and looking toward. If we are truly seeking the Lord and looking unto Him as Savior and Lord, then our behavior will reflect that looking. Those who are looking toward the Lord are praising Him, trusting Him, and praying to Him. He, then, gives them peace of mind and heart in Christ Jesus.

Define: Diligently – persistent, hard-working, industriously, meticulously, conscientiously, thoroughly, attentively, carefully (Antonym: hastily)

Diligence requires that we pay attention. We must be looking diligently to follow peace with all men, and diligently living holy lives.

1Pe 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Define: Conversation -- G391 ἀναστροφή, anastrophē, an-as-trof-ay', behavior: - conversation.  – performance, actions, deeds, activities, manners, conduct, life style

lest any man fail of the grace of God;

Our author then warns us what happens as a result or consequence of not living in peace with others, and not seeking to live holy lives:

Define: Lest – in case, for fear that, in order to prevent some fearful thing from happening

Define: Fail – be unsuccessful, not pass, not succeed, fall short, not make the grade, break down, stop working, crash, disappoint, let down, neglect

Clearly it is possible for a man to “fail of the grace of God.” Our author does not want us to fail and not be children of God. He wants us to succeed in faithfulness. He wants us to grab hold of the grace of God and keep holding on. Truly our lives and life eternal depends on keeping the grace of God close to us and sharing it with others in word and in behavior. Grace is the gift of God. We respect His gift by continuing to cling to Him and by keeping Him before our eyes. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. We must never leave nor forsake Him, either.

Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

We are justified freely by God’s grace…. And then what?

Heb 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

The conduct of our lives is IMPORTANT!!   We are justified freely by God’s grace, that we may be able to live justified and faithful lives. God gives us grace so we can turn our lives around and live within His grace continually. He gives us grace that we may be His sons and daughters. Then we must conduct ourselves as such.

Jas 2:19-24  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Works by themselves are of no use. We don’t get to heaven by works. We please God by having faith in Him. Then once we have faith in Him our works then prove our faith continues. If we have faith, but no works, our faith is not perfect. It is incomplete. We are justified by faith, and then the just live by faith. Living by faith produces good fruit.

Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Eph 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

There are no “two ways” about it. We can produce good fruit or bad fruit, but not both. If we have faith in God, then by His grace we are saved. We remain saved by remaining in His grace and by doing the good works He has prepared for us to do.

lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,

Define: Bitterness – resentment, spite, hostility, unpleasantness, sullenness, anger, sourness, sharpness (Antonym: sweetness, forgiveness)

If bitterness springs up, what does it do to you? Troubles you / causes trouble for you

The words “root” and “springing up” refer to something that takes root and then “springs up” or grows larger. Bitterness then grows larger as time passes. The bitterness bush produces sour grapes. We can cling to the grace of God or to our own bitterness. Clinging to grace produces sweet peace and love within us and we spread it wherever we go. Clinging to bitterness or resentment creates a sullen personality which spreads anger, animosity, and hostility wherever we go!! Good fruit or bad fruit. We shall be known by our fruit. And it GROWS!! Either our faith grows or our bitterness grows. Feed your faith, and let it grow tall. Pull out the weeds of bitterness and do not let them grow.

and thereby many be defiled;

Define: Defiled – tainted, dishonored, besmirched, sullied, tarnished, corrupted, despoiled, ruined, degraded, (Antonym: untarnished)

It is harboring bitterness, resentment, and animosity that tarnishes us. Many have been sullied because of a resentful heart. Don’t even give bitterness a place to sit down – toss it out the door – before it can take root and damage you.

What is the antidote to bitterness? Sweetness and forgiveness.

Bitterness is healed by compassion, understanding, and forgiveness = love. God is not bitter towards us. We cannot afford to be bitter towards anyone else. It will cost you your love – and your sense of being loved. Even when we were sinners God forgave us. We must – and can only – do the same if we desire to have God’s peace in our hearts.

Mat 6:14-15  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

How do we know we have God’s forgiveness? Bible promises, and through Jesus Christ.

By His word, and by His Son. By faith we can feel it in our hearts.

1Jn 3:21  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

How do we know we are bitter? We can feel it in our hearts. If our hearts are not bitter then our hearts will not condemn us and we will have confidence in God. Bitterness or resentment stems from having confidence in something other than God. We become resentful when we expect certain things from another person but do not get them. If we’ve been treated poorly by someone and we hold it against them we taint our own hearts.

1Pe 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Whose soul is purified when we obey the truth through the Spirit? Our own.

How do we demonstrate that we have obeyed the truth through the Spirit? Unfeigned love of the brethren.

Whose heart is defiled by bitterness or resentment? Our own.

What are we to “see that ye?” Love one another with a pure heart fervently

Define: Fervently – passionately, ardently, enthusiastically, eagerly, zealously, fanatically, feverishly, excitedly, energetically, (Antonym: indifferently)

Heb 12:16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person,

What two things are we warned against here? 1. Fornicator, or , 2. Profane person

Define: Fornicator – immoral sex, one who has voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other. In the Bible: idolatry (worship of unholy things)

Define: Profane – blasphemous, irreverent, irreligious, disrespectful, wicked, sacrilegious (Antonym: pious)

as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

His example of a person who worships something other than God, and thereby, is impious, irreverent, and profane is Esau, Jacob’s brother.

What did Esau do? Sold his birthright for one morsel of meat.

At that moment, what was most important to Esau? His belly. His appetite. Himself.

Jacob and Esau were both the sons of Isaac – a very pious man. Being born of godly parents does not guarantee that the offspring will also be godly. Each man makes his own choices in relation to God and to his own life.

Heb 12:17  For ye know how that afterward,

Define: Afterward – later, after that, subsequently, then, next

The word “afterward” implies a sequence of events. Esau had been taught about God, just as Jacob had been, by their father, Isaac, who was Abraham’s son. Isaac had faithfully allowed himself to be placed on the alter as a sacrifice, but God intervened and did not allow it. Isaac knew God. This comes from the story of how God tested Abraham but I’m often amazed at what Isaac did because of his own humble obedience when I read that story!!

So what came first was Esau’s knowledge of the existence and reality of God. What came second was his choice to exchange his birthright for a bowl of red lentils. Esau was arrogant. So the “afterward” is the rest of the story.

when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected:

What did Esau want? To inherit the blessing.

What did he get? Rejected.

How Esau “would have” it was to inherit the blessing he had traded away – but he was rejected. Afterward he sought a blessing from Isaac, but there were no more blessings left!! He was rejected because Isaac had acted on the prompting of the Holy Spirit and gave the entire “double portion blessing” to Jacob.

Once you know God and His ways, you are responsible for that knowing.

Heb 3:17  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

Just like Jacob’s descendants who fell in the wilderness, Esau willfully abused God’s grace; then paid the penalty.

for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

What did he not find? A place of repentance.

How did he seek it? Carefully with tears.

He sought to make things right for himself. He carefully sought it from his father, with tears – and you know how men hate to cry. If they are moved to tears they are serious. But he was too late. His father gave him what he had left to give, but the inheritance was already given to another forever. The word of God cannot be taken back.

From this story of Esau, what do you think, we are being warned about? (See: Heb 12:16-17 ) That we be not fornicators nor profane people.

BBC: So it is with an apostate. He has no real regard for spiritual values. He willingly renounces Christ in order to escape reproach, suffering, or martyrdom. He cannot be renewed to repentance. There may be remorse but no godly repentance.

Heb 12:18  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire,

What do we not come to? The burning mountain which, if you were not careful could be touched, relieving yourself of your life.

They were commanded not to touch the mountain, which implies that it was possible to touch it. Touching the mountain was a temptation that they were commanded to resist.

Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

When we come to Jesus, we don’t have to worry about being in the right place or touching something that will destroy us. Every place is the right place to seek Jesus, but when Moses spoke with God, the people were commanded to not come near the burning mountain where God was. They were actually being protected and warned and kept safe. God had not reconciled the earth with His peace yet, so they had to be made fearful to keep them away from the mountain for their own safety. If they had come near they would have lost their lives instead of finding them.

By what method would they have died? Stoning.

God did not send a bolt of lightning to kill them, the people would have stoned them – as commanded.

nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, Heb 12:19  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words;

What five things are we not threatened with when we come to Jesus? 1. Blackness, 2. Darkness, 3. Tempest, 4. The sound of a trumpet, and 5. The voice of words (an audible voice)

which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

Define: Intreated – (entreat) plead desperately, to beg repeatedly, plead, implore, beseech, pray, appeal

What did they not want? To hear the terrifying voice of words

Deu 5:23-28  And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me (Moses), even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.  For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it. And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.

Heb 12:20  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

Notice the opening parentheses. Our author is now interpreting what he just said. They had been commanded to not come near or touch the burning mountain, lest they die by stoning. Not even a beast was permitted to go near without threat of death. And they found this an intolerable test of endurance – “they could not endure.”

Heb 12:21  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

What did Moses say of the experience? I exceedingly fear and quake.

Heb 12:22  But ye

These two words “but” and “ye” mean that we have an entirely different experience when seeking God. We recall that the word “but” cancels out all that was previously said so that what follows replaces it entirely.

Who is “ye?” Us -- believers, Christians

are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

What do we come to? 1. Mount Sion, 2. The city of the living God, 3. The heavenly Jerusalem, 4. An innumerable company of angels.
 
Believer’s Bible Commentary: Believers have not come to the forbidding terrors of Sinai but to the welcome of grace: “Now every blood-bought child of God can say: The terrors of law and of God, With me can have nothing to do; My Saviour's obedience and blood Hide all my transgressions from view.” — A. M. Toplady

We do not come to a tangible mountain on earth. Our privilege is to enter the sanctuary in heaven. By faith, we approach God in confession, praise, and prayer. We are not limited to one day of the year, but may enter the holiest at any time with the knowledge that we are always welcome. God no longer says, “Stay at a distance”; He says, “Come near with confidence.” Law has its Mount Sinai but faith has its Mount Zion. This heavenly mountain symbolizes the combined blessings of grace—all that is ours through the redeeming work of Christ Jesus.

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven,

What else do we come to? 1. The general assembly in heaven, and 2. The church of the firstborn (which are both written in heaven). 

When we come to Jesus we also come to all of Jesus’ followers who are written in heaven in the Lambs book of Life.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the small and the great, standing before God. And books were opened. And another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books, according to their works.

and to God the Judge of all,

What else do we come to? God, who is the Judge of all

and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

What else do we come to? To the spirits of just men made perfect.

When we come to Jesus we join the spirits of faithful and just men, living on Earth or in heaven, who by their faith in Messiah Jesus have been made perfect, complete, and whole -- consecrated unto God.

Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant,

What else do we come to? To Jesus who is the mediator of the new covenant.

When we come to Jesus we come to Him who brought about the changes. He is the mediator of the new covenant.

and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

What else do we come to? The blood of sprinkling, which has a better message than Abel's blood.

When we come to Jesus we come to blood that speaks better things than the blood of Abel. Abel’s blood spoke of the guilt of Cain. Jesus’ blood speaks life and forgiveness and redemption and salvation to us who believe in Him.

BBC: Christ is Mediator of the new covenant in a far higher sense. Before God could righteously make this covenant, the Lord Jesus had to die. He had to seal the covenant with His own blood and give Himself a ransom for many.

He secured the blessings of the New Covenant for His people by His death.
He insures these blessings for them by His endless life. And
He preserves His people to enjoy the blessings in a hostile world
by His present ministry at God's right hand. All this is included in His mediatorial work.
Bearing the scars of Calvary, the Lord Jesus is exalted at God's right hand, a Prince and a Savior.

Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.

The previous line spoke of Jesus blood speaking better things. In this line we are told that we must see to it that we do not refuse Him that spoke forgiveness with His blood.

What are we not to refuse? Jesus.

What would be the positive way of saying this? Accept Jesus.

If we do not refuse, then we accept, receive, and believe in the blood of Jesus and redemption.

For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth,

Who did not escape? They who refused the man who spoke on earth.

Moses was the mediator who spoke on earth. Those who refused to obey him did not make it to the promised land.

much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Who else will not escape? Those who turn away from the one that speaks from heaven.

Who would we be turning away from? Jesus Christ

God spoke to the ancestors by Moses, but Jesus speaks to us from heaven. Shall we escape death if we refuse to hear Jesus? Why would we be better than they? We are not. If we refuse Jesus, what is left? Just like Esau, our  tears won’t make a difference. God’s word, once spoken, cannot be revoked. If we refuse Jesus, that is all there is.

Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

What made the earth shake? God's voice.

Imagine hearing a voice that shakes the earth like an earthquake! From the Bible we know that God spoke and the earth shook. He has also promised that once more He will speak and shake not only the earth, but heaven, too!!

Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

What does this promise signify? The removal of things that are shaken.

Define: Shaken – agitated, unsettled, trembled, quaked, vibrated, unnerved, disturbed, distressed, upset, alarmed (Antonym: reassure, steady, keep still)

The things that are shaken are like what? Things that are made (by man).

What shall remain? Things that cannot be shaken (made by God).

The purpose for the shaking is like that of chaff and wheat. The wheat is shaken so the chaff can be removed. God will shake heaven and earth so that “things which cannot be shaken may remain.” Let us make sure we are the ones who cannot be shaken or moved from our faith in Jesus.

Act 2:25  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

BBC: Those who were occupied with the tangible, visible ritualism of Judaism were clinging to things that could be shaken. True believers have a kingdom which cannot be shaken. This should inspire the most fervent worship and adoration. We should unceasingly praise Him with reverence and godly fear.

Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved,

What kind of a kingdom do we receive? One which cannot be moved!

Jesus Christ is the keeper of the kingdom; therefore, it cannot be moved. He is trustworthy. We can depend on Him.

let us have grace,

Let us have what? Grace!

Jesus Christ is the keeper of the kingdom of God’s grace. His grace gives us the ability to live with Him in the kingdom. Let us have grace and thankfulness. Let us live by faith in God’s grace. Let us share His grace with others. Let us be filled with His grace.

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

whereby we may serve God acceptably

His grace lets us serve God how? Acceptably.

Acceptable to whom? To God and to Jesus Christ, His Son.

Eph 5:8-11  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Because of God’s grace, we may serve God and be accepted and approved in Jesus who died for our sakes.

with reverence and godly fear:

We serve God with what? Reverence and godly fear.

Define: Reverence – respect, admiration, worship, awe, veneration, (Antonym: contempt)

We show our reverence and godly fear by our faith and obedience which shows we respect God and His word.

Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

For we recall that our God is a consuming fire. Anything that is not worthy to be in His Presence will be burned.

Define: Consuming – extremely intense, overwhelming, overriding, uncontrollable, unbearable, overshadowing, strong, (Antonym: imperceptible, slight, weak)

God is all powerful, nothing can come against Him. He is all mighty in His power. He is strong and unflappable in His love. He is also slow to anger, full of compassion and of great mercy. Look to yourselves then, by looking unto our All Powerful God with reverence and respect. Let us not treat God lightly for He is a consuming fire.

Read Our Verses Again:

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Heb 12:18  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Heb 12:19  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
Heb 12:20  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Heb 12:21  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.