When the nation is shaken
It feels like recent events in our country have shaken us. The nation as a whole has been shaken, and many of the individual citizens and residents feel shaken. We are witnessing quite a bit of chaos, anger, and divisiveness.
But, if we read our Bibles, this is what we should expect. Generally speaking, we should never be surprised when the world acts like the world, as the old saying goes. Sin has visible effects on the world around us – effects that should bother us, but not surprise us.
An ancient prophecy with applications for today
However, the Bible has something even more specific to say about what we have witnessed in our nation. Although the Bible does not refer to America specifically, God does tell us what to expect regarding the kingdoms of the world.
In Haggai 2:21-22, God tells the prophet: “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overturn chariots and their riders. Horses and their riders will fall, each by his brother’s sword.”
Notice how God’s ultimate intention is to shake up everything in the universe. This means that He will destroy every government, political system and human power. One of His primary means of destruction is to have human beings fighting their own brothers – perhaps even citizens of the same nation divided against one another.
What can be shaken and what cannot
Of course, this was a prophecy to Zerubbabel during the time of the return of the Jews from exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. How does such a prophecy apply to us today?
We need not wonder. The author of the book of Hebrews applies this prophecy to the church. He quotes Haggai in Hebrews 12:26: “…but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”
He goes on to apply the text in Hebrews 12:27-29: “This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken — that is, created things — so that what is not shaken might remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
We have to remember that the day is coming when the nations of this world – including the United States of America – will be completely destroyed. America will not last. Maybe it will be destroyed by another civil war. Maybe it will last until Jesus returns. But no matter what, the USA has an expiration date, like everything else.
Thankfully, the author of Hebrews says that “we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken…” As believers in Christ, we are part of a Kingdom that will last. That Kingdom finds its current expression in the Church of Jesus Christ.
What are you living for?
So then, when we watch the news and scroll through social media, we need to watch our hearts. Do we have an unhealthy emotional attachment to the events that we witness? Are we more focused on things of earth than things of heaven? Do we care more about America then we do about the Kingdom of God?
And where are we investing our time, our efforts and our words? Are we seeking to build the kingdom of America – a kingdom that will burn and fade? Or are we investing in the eternal Kingdom – the Kingdom that cannot be shaken?
There is nothing in the news that can shake the Kingdom of God. If your heart and life is invested in building God’s Kingdom, then nothing in the news can shake you either.
Randall Curtis serves as the Rhode Island regional coordinator for the Baptist Convention of New England.