In “the days of Noah,” the Lord had to wipe humanity from the earth because the wickedness and corruption had become so great. The earth is again “as in the days of Noah,” when corruption and wickedness have become so great that the Lord must again remove it. As in the first Noah’s time, He will start human civilization again with a remnant of the uncorrupted. We also have an Ark prepared for this time—Jesus and His coming kingdom.

       We continue to examine what we can expect from these times with this statement from the writer of Hebrews: “He has promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven’” (see Hebrews 12:26).

       The “yet once more” denotes that this is the second time He has done this. As the warning continues, “This expression, ‘Yet once more,’ denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain” (Hebrews 12:27). So, it is not just the wickedness and corruption being removed but the “created things” that can be shaken. These created things can be good, but they can still be shaken if they were not created in harmony with the coming kingdom.

       Then, this discourse continues with how we can discern and build on what cannot be shaken: “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). Before elaborating further on the kingdom, there is one word in this text that is crucial: “gratitude.” Why is this word so important here?

       It was because of their grumbling and complaining that the first generation of Israelites to leave their bondage in Egypt was not allowed to enter the promised land. It is by grumbling and complaining that most backslide into ultimate sin—wickedness—and corruption begins. Complaining is the fruit of a lack of gratefulness, and such a corrupting factor cannot be allowed in a new beginning.

       This text from Hebrews 12 also implies that there are some things in the world that are of the kingdom of God and so cannot be shaken. So, we must stand and build upon these. This is the way Jesus gave us to find that which is of His kingdom: “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (see Matthew 6:33).

       How many of our decisions and devotions are the result of seeking His kingdom before and above anything else? Those decisions and devotions may have been good ones, but if we did not have His kingdom as our first and main devotion, they will likely not be unshakable.

       Now, let’s look at the next verse, Matthew 6:34: “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” How many anxieties and troubles have been caused by the things we have built on decisions or devotions that may have been good but did not put the kingdom first?

       When we did put the kingdom first, how solid were our decisions? By this, I mean, did we really seek the kingdom in these things or just fire off prayers and then make our decisions? How solidly we were devoted to truly seeking the kingdom first will likely be a factor in how shaky what we have done will be.

       Many years ago, I was stunned by a word from the Lord that most of His people are not in His geographic will. The reason was they had decided where to live based on many things, but not His kingdom. These were things like geography, convenience, better job opportunities, better schools, closer to family, etc. These are all worthy considerations, but nothing must eclipse our seeking the kingdom first for such an important decision.

       People often tell me that they cannot find a church they connect with anywhere near the place they live. I usually ask them if they live where they do because the Lord led them or for another reason. Most chose the place they live by where the best job was, so I ask them how their job is doing. The job is usually going well, but when I ask them how everything else in their life is going, it’s not going so well. I usually then ask them if they would trade their present life for a lesser job and have everything else go well, and so far it’s been unanimous that they would.

       So, what do you do? Start now to seek the kingdom first for every major decision. Then, wait for a clear answer and never compromise what you get from the Lord.

 

© 2026 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.