“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
Eighteen Bible books—nine in Old Testament and nine in the New—contain this descriptor of Jehovah. Its most emphatic feature is the clear contrast it makes with lifeless (and useless) idols (Acts 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:9).
Note several significant uses of this moniker:
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The voice of the living God was heard by Israel at Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 5:26).
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The removal of all the Canaanite nations larger and stronger than Israel is proof of the existence and power of the living God (Joshua 3:10).
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Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, was confessed by Peter in John 6:69 and Matthew 16:16.
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As prophesied by Hosea, the gospel offers Gentiles the opportunity to become and be called sons of the living God (Hosea 1:10; Romans 9:26).
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Through Christ our High Priest, every Christian has his conscience cleansed from dead works so he can serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14).
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The church is the present-day temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16).
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The house of God is the church of the living God (1 Timothy 3:15).
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Departing from the living God via an evil heart of unbelief is a spiritual peril worthy of constant vigilance (Hebrews 3:12).
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The heavenly Jerusalem is the city of the living God (Hebrews 12:22).
We should trust in the living God (1 Timothy 4:10, 6:17), thirst for the living God (Psalm 42:2) and cry out for the living God (Psalm 84:2).
“The Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, and the nations will not be able to endure His indignation” (Jeremiah 10:10).
We should always fear the judgment and fiery indignation of the living God.
