let US see the explanation of it which the Apostle has given us : He first somewliat alters the words, in order to make them express more fully the mind of God in them ; and then he gives us this interpre- tation of them : " This word. Yet once more, sig- nifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain." Thus he shews us that not any convulsion of nature was intended, like that which took place at Mount Sinai ; but the total removal of the whole civil and ecclesiastical polity of the Jews was predicted, in order to make way for the immoveable and everlasting kingdom of the Messiah. Then, on the passage thus explained, he founds this exhortation : " Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear : for our God is a consuming fire."
The points to be especially noticed in this passage are,
I. The privilege which all true Christians have re- ceived—
" They have received a kingdom which cannot be moved :" they have received it,
1. As that to which they are to submit —
[The Lord Jesus Christ is he of whom Jehovah has said, " Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion''." And " his kingdom admits of no change." The dispensation which had been introduced by Moses, " waxed old, and vanished away;" but that which Christ has established is ever " new°." " His dominion," says the prophet, " is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed*^." Men and devils will no doubt combine for its destruction : but " the gates of hell shall never prevail
against it^."
To this kingdom all true believers belong. They once were vassals of the god of this world : but they have been " trans- lated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son." Their language now is, " Other lords besides thee
^ Ps. ii. 6. e Heb. viii. 13.
i Dun. vii. 14. s Matt. xvi. 18.