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GLOBAL WARNING
Many people are afraid that some day in the near future, the world will come to an end: (1) nuclear war, (2) global warming, (3) 2012 phenomenon. (Remember Y2K?)
Haggai’s fourth message foretells of a time when this world, as we know it, will come to an end.
[Read Haggai 2:20-23]
Bad predictions:
• “This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.”—Western Union internal memo, 1876
• “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”—Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1872
• “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”—Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943
• “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.”—Ken Olson, president, chairman, and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
• “We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.”—Decca Recording Co. rejecting The Beatles, 1962
People have made many bad predictions, but I believe when God says something will happen, it will happen (“I will”).
“Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother” (2:21-22).
This “day” (v. 23) is what the Bible calls “the day of the Lord.”
• There is coming a day of JUDGMENT.
The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled) (Isaiah 2:12).
For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near—a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations (Ezekiel 30:3).
Before [the nations] the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? (Joel 2:10-11).
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare (2 Peter 3:10).
“Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:29-30).
• There is coming a day of JUSTICE.
THE KING OF KINGS
“‘On that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD Almighty” (2:23).
Sometimes when the Old Testament speaks about an individual, it has his descendents in mind. Example: “My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd” (Ezekiel 37:24).
The message given to Zerubbabel points forward to Jesus Christ:
• “Son of Shealtiel”
Jesus (as to his human nature) is a descendent of KING DAVID through Shealtiel.
“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).
“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-33).
• “My Servant”
Jesus is Isaiah’s “SERVANT of the Lord.”
See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness—so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him (Isaiah 52:13-15a).
But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedience unto death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:7-11).
• “Chosen”
Jesus is the “Messiah,” which means “CHOSEN one.”
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations” (Isaiah 42:1).
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17-17).
• “Signet Ring”
Jesus will reverse the CURSE on King Jehoiachin and reign as King of kings.
“As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off” (Jeremiah 22:24).
This is what the LORD says: “Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah” (Jeremiah 22:30).
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers (Revelation 17:14).
WHAT REALLY MATTERS
What does God’s message to Zerubbabel teach us?
1. Loosely hang on to the PERISHABLE things of life.
2. Firmly grasp the UNSHAKEABLE kingdom of God.
