True Trembling

"His voice shook the earth [at Mount Sinai] then, but now He has given a promise, saying,
'YET ONCE MORE I will shake not only the earth, but also the starry heaven.'

Now, this expression, 'YET ONCE MORE', indicates the removal and final transformation of all those things which can be shaken-- that is, of that which has been created-- So that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for our God is indeed a consuming fire."
                                                     Hebrews 12:26-29




Before the tribulation comes there will first be a season of Good News where the Gospel is shared throughout the earth (Matthew 24:14). The prophet, Daniel, speaks of this season when he says, "And in the days of these [final ten] kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break and crush and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever" (Daniel 2:44). Daniel explains that the kingdom God establishes in the earth will forever endure.

This knowledge should cause believers to have the true reverence that God calls us to possess. However, because our society as a whole has become so irreverent, there are many who do not. It is much easier to focus on God's love and kindness, and, in doing so, we can easily forget just how great and powerful God really is. This is why God tells us, "this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word and reveres My commands" (Isaiah 66:2).

God literally looks for those who are humble, contrite (showing sincere remorse) in their heart, and who tremble at His Word. He is not seeking what we can do; He seeks who we are. He promises that as we draw closer to Him that He will draw closer to us. Interestingly, the closer we get to God, the more our hearts will tremble before Him.

Error in the church occurs for two basic reasons. Jesus said, "You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor God's power" (Matthew 22:29). While He was speaking to the Sadducees and Pharisees, the inference was that they really didn't know God. They could talk the talk and fake the walk, but they really didn't have the kind of relationship with God that is intimate and abundant.

Knowing God was definitely something that Moses accomplished in his life. He spoke face to face with God in the sacred tent. And, when he did, his face was so radiant that the sons of Israel had to turn away. The trajectory in his life was to hear from God and to seek hard after Him.

When God gave Moses His Word in the form of the ten commandments, Moses did not eat or drink for forty days. He carefully handled God's Word and then shared it with the Israelites. When "the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and saw the mountain smoking, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen, but let not God speak to us or we will die.' Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid; for God has come in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin'" (Exodus 20:18-20).

God shook Mount Sinai when He gave the law and He will once again shake the nations before Jesus returns. His voice thundered and shook the people at Mount Sinai and His voice will once again thunder throughout the earth. We will either be a people who trembles at His Word or we will be among those who ignore it which would be to our peril.

The book of Revelation tells us that during the tribulation seven thunders will be given a voice and will utter their message in distinct words (Revelation 10:3). The apostle, John, heard their message and started to write it down but was prohibited from doing so. He "heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Seal up what the seven thunders have said! Do not write it down!'" (Revelation 10:4).

We do not know why John was not permitted to write what the seven thunders uttered. Those utterances were to be sealed in an otherwise unsealed book. We will have to wait until the end of time to know what they spoke (Daniel 12:9).

The angel that told John about the seven thunders apparently had the authority of God's throne. His posture was that of a conqueror possessing his territory. Only the victorious Christ could make such a claim.

Between now and the end of time, it is imperative to know what God is saying. In times as critical as these, it is the only true thing that matters. We cannot be intimidated to draw close to Him, even if trembling is the end result of it. We may even hear the rumble of thunder:

"The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders" (Psalm 29:3).

"Thunder crashes and rumbles in the skies. It's God raising His voice!" (Job 26:11).

"God thunders with His voice wondrously" (Job 37:5).

"Then there came a voice out of heaven... the crowd of bystanders heard the sound and said that it had thundered"  (John 12:28-29).


More of God is coming to the earth. A season of fulfillment of the Word of God will occur. The light of God will be turned up. May we be a people in this season who are humble, contrite in spirit, and who hear and truly tremble at His Word!


               "Indeed, [at His thunderings] my heart also trembles and leaps out of its place."
                                                                  Job 37:1