John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 12:27

"And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain." — Hebrews 12:27 (ASV)

And this word, yet once more, etc. The words of the Prophet are these, Yet a little while; and he means that the calamity of the people would not be perpetual, but that the Lord would help them. But the Apostle lays no stress on this expression; he only infers from the shaking of the heaven and the earth that the state of the world was to be changed at the coming of Christ. For things created are subject to decay, but Christ’s kingdom is eternal; then all creatures must be brought into a better state.

He then transitions to another exhortation: that we are to take hold of that kingdom which cannot be shaken. For the Lord shakes us for this purpose, that He may truly and forever establish us in Himself. At the same time, I prefer a different reading, which is given by the ancient Latin version, Receiving a kingdom, we have grace, etc. When read affirmatively, the passage runs best — “We, in embracing the Gospel, have the gift of the Spirit of Christ, that we may reverently and devoutly worship God.” If it is read as an exhortation, Let us have, it is a strained and obscure mode of speaking. The Apostle means in short, as I think, that provided we enter by faith into Christ’s kingdom, we shall enjoy constant grace, which will effectually retain us in the service of God; for as the kingdom of Christ is above the world, so is the gift of regeneration.

By saying that God is to be served acceptably, εὐαρέστως, with reverence and fear, he intimates that though He requires us to serve with promptness and delight, there is yet no service approved by Him unless it is united with humility and due reverence. Thus he condemns rebellious confidence of the flesh, as well as the sloth which also proceeds from it.