Hebrews 10:31 tells us, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  I think it would be good to dissect this verse to get its full and important meaning.

FEARFUL – This word is used only three times in the Bible, each time in the book of Hebrews.  It is found here in Hebrews 10:31, 10:27, and 12:21.  It is translated as fearful and as terrible.  It gives us a sense of something that is great and awful.  It is something to be avoided at all costs…not something to be taken lightly. 

FALL – Let’s compare this to Luke 16:20-22, “And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was CARRIED BY THE ANGELS into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.  In this true account of Lazarus and the rich man, Lazarus passed away.  Notice how he was “carried by the angels” into the presence of the Lord, of which Abraham is representative here.  Such a gentle, loving thought to see that this poor beggar was lovingly escorted by the Lord’s angels into His presence.  That is so different than falling into the Lord’s hands.  When one enters the presence of the Lord with faith in the Lord’s love, it is a wonderful thing as Paul says in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” It is fearful to fall into His hands as a reprobate and disrespectful sinner doomed to His just vengeance as Judge as we read in Hebrews 10:27, “But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” 

LIVING GOD – As the living God, the Lord is able to, and will, execute eternal judgment on those who have refused Him and His blessed offer of salvation.  We read in Matthew 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather FEAR HIM which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  It is the Lord who is able to “destroy both soul and body in hell.”  If one is not a believer on the Lord, he has every right to be afraid of the Lord.  Indeed, the unbelieving sinner SHOULD be afraid of the Lord.  If one rejects the LOVE of God, there is nothing left but the WRATH of God.  John 3:36 tells us clearly, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” 

Psalm 7:11 says, “God judgeth the righteous, and GOD IS ANGRY with the wicked every day.”  It is a terrible thing to fall in the hands of a living, angry God.  The Lord not only detests sin, but He is continuously angry with those who continue to indulge in it.  Each day that one refuses the gift of God, the Lord’s anger continues against that ungrateful, indignant sinner. 

My friend, are you in danger of falling into the hands of the living God?  Are you still in your sins?  Have you refused God’s gift of eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?  If so, I pray you will cease from sin and turn in faith to the Lord Jesus.  Then, you will have the promise of being gently escorted into the Lord’s presence when you pass from this scene.  1 Thessalonians 1:10 assures us that when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He has, “…delivered us from the wrath to come.”  (CC)  (568.4)