Hebrews 12:24-28 and to Jesus, the Mediator of a New Agreement between God and mankind, and to the sprinkled blood of Jesus, which says better things to us than the blood of Abel did. ) whereas the blood of Christ provides mercy and life” : Note: The contrast seems to be that “Abel’s blood called for vengeance and death (See Gen..

AUV⁽ⁱ⁾ ²⁴ and to Jesus, the Mediator of a New Agreement [between God and mankind], and to the sprinkled blood [of Jesus], which says better things [to us] than [the blood of] Abel did. [Note: The contrast seems to be that “Abel’s blood called for vengeance and death (See Gen. 4:10) whereas the blood of Christ provides mercy and life”]. ²⁵ Pay careful attention so that you do not refuse [to hear] God when He speaks to you. [See verse 9]. For if those people [i.e., the Israelites] did not escape [judgment] when they refused [to hear] Him who warned them on earth [i.e., God speaking through Moses at Mount Sinai], how much less [likely] will we escape [judgment] if we reject Him who warns from heaven [i.e., Christ]? ²⁶ God’s voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, saying [Hag. 2:6], “I will cause not only the earth to shake once more, but also heaven [as well].” ²⁷ Now the words, “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken --- that is, the created universe --- so that those things which cannot be shaken will remain. [Note: These “things” have been variously interpreted to be eternal truth, the heavenly kingdom, the new heavens and earth, etc.]. ²⁸ Therefore, we should be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken [i.e., the church. See Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:6, 9]. So, with reverence and awe, we should serve God in a way that pleases Him,