Hebrews 12:28-29

Hebrews 12:28-29

[28] Wherefore  we receiving  a kingdom  which cannot be moved,  let us have  grace,  whereby  we may serve  God  acceptably  with  and  godly fear:  [29] For  God  is a consuming  fire. 

What does Hebrews 12:28-29 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Our kingdom is eternal. Our motive should be gratitude. Our activity should be the service of God. Our attitude toward Him should be reverence and awe in view of His ability to judge the unfaithful (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:14-15).
"As a consuming fire, God purifies all that is unworthy and unacceptable in those who serve Him and all that is unfit to abide in His presence." [1]
Many readers of Hebrews associate the figure of God consuming with His judging unbelievers in hell, but this figure also occurs in the Old Testament with reference to judgment of His people (cf. Exodus 24:17; Leviticus 10:2; Numbers 16:35; Deuteronomy 4:24; 1 Corinthians 3:15). The point is the character of God, not the destiny of those judged.
The reference to fire in Hebrews 12:29 completes an inclusio begun with another mention of fire in Hebrews 12:18. The whole section that these references to fire enclose deals with how important it is to respond properly to God.
"The warning proper is found in Hebrews 12:25-29. The readers are called to heed Yahweh, for an eschatological shaking is coming in which the earthly material order will pass away, leaving only an eternal kingdom. The faithful readers who endure will have a part in the eschatological kingdom-the millennium and the New Jerusalem as "companions" of Jesus, the Messiah-King ( Hebrews 1:9; Hebrews 1:13-14). This kingdom will become an eternal kingdom....
"All five warnings in the epistle have a positive thrust and a negative impetus.... Disobedience to God and His Word will result in a forfeiting of eschatological rewards; obedience to God and His Word will result in a gaining of eschatological rewards." [2]
This chapter contains three resources that encourage and enable us to run the Christian race with endurance. They are the example of Jesus ( Hebrews 12:1-4), the assurance of the Father"s love ( Hebrews 12:5-13), and the enablement of God"s grace (help; Hebrews 12:14-29). [3]