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2 Peter 1:2-11
Peter gives direction for growing Christians regarding the character qualities to develop in our lives. 1 Peter was written to comfort and support believers amidst misery and mistreatment, which was an outer attack. This epistle was composed to causation against an inside (inward) attack, lack of concern and sin. Here, Peter gives the antitoxin for dormancy and foolishness in the Christian life. These two epistles of Peter set up caution signs on the road that the church body is migrating on, to distinguish the apostasy that was in transit around then and which is common now presently. In verses 2-4: ”Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.” Notice that this passage involves multiplication. How does grace and peace get multiplied to us? It is through the knowledge of God, and of His Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Now some may think that to know Christ, they can simply open up the encyclopedia and read about Him. For those that do not know what an encyclopedia is, that was a book used many years ago before the advent of Google search. I think that you can still find them in any public or educational library. Many families had a set of them in their homes. I know we did when I was growing up. For grace and peace to be multiplied, we must know Christ. Every professing Christian must know Christ. That does not mean to know about Him, but to know Him on a personal level. Many believers want the benefits of grace and peace but are unwilling to take time and use some exertion to know Him through prayer and Bible study. How can we partake in the privileges that God offers if we do not get involved in the knowledge of God?
Here we see the “divine power,” the “precious promises,” and the “divine nature.” The power to grow comes from God. We do not have the means to live a life of glory and virtue. God has given us precious promises so that we can be partakers of divine nature. This is what keeps us from sin and gives us help as we live for Him.
Did we notice the word knowledge is used again in verse three? It is only through the knowledge of Christ that we can learn to live and grow into a godly people. We that have obtained like precious faith through the righteousness of God, have been given precious promises from God. In John 6:37, he that comes to Christ, He will not cast out. In Matthew 11:28, it states “come unto me all that labor and are heavy laden.” Those are only a couple of precious promises given to us. Throughout the Bible we can find a multitude of other precious promises given.
In verses 5-9: Now we will see a little more math in the Scriptures; “add to your faith virtue.” Then it goes on to ‘add’ knowledge to the virtue, then ‘add’ temperance to the knowledge, next ‘add’ patience to temperance, then godliness to patience, then brotherly kindness to godliness, and then charity to brotherly kindness. That is a lot of adding.
Faith should be more than believing in facts. Action is required, growing in Christ like character, and being morally disciplined. If we neglect this, we cannot demonstrate a changed life (James 2:14-17). Faith’s actions require hard work (increasing patience, doing the will of God, knowing God better) and they must be done continually. God will empower us and enable us, but it is our responsibility to put forth the effort to learn and grow. Faith goes beyond believing. It is part of what we should do, and in doing so will bring about results of our spiritual maturity and our good works. Bear in mind, good works does not bring about salvation. Our salvation was a free gift from God, and that salvation should show IN good works. If someone states that he or she is saved, yet the lifestyle remains unchanged, then that person needs to get a checkup, because apparently, he or she does not know God or does not understand what God has done. Have we made our Christian life an extracurricular activity? Is our Christian life only performed on the Sabbath day, the day of going to church? The Christian life is a growing process (2 Peter 3:18). You cannot grow a vegetable garden without working on it. If we look in a forest, what will we see? We will see trees and various vegetation either growing, because it is alive, or it is decaying, because it is dead. My, how our Christian lives are like that, either we are alive and growing or we are dead and decaying. Are the things that were ‘added’ actually within us? Look at what Peter says, ‘for if these things be in you and abound…ye shall neither be barren or unfruitful’. (Look more math). We cannot produce fruit if we are barren, or idle. We must be active in the faith. We must put our faith into action. we cannot just sit idly by and watch the world go round.
In verses 10-11: “Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” Do not listen to false teachers that state because salvation is free and not by good works, you can just live like you want to. That is definitely not the case. If we belong to the Lord, ‘diligence’, hard work, will show it. If we are not working for the Lord, then do we really belong to Him? We may stumble along the way, but if we continually work on the math of a Christian life, we will not fall but will prosper.
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Zechariah 11:4-17
What is apostacy? Are we guilty of having some type of apostacy within our lives? Apostacy is the nullification of a religious belief or faith, abandonment of a previous loyalty, to abdicate, to renounce, to defect, or to give up. There are two types of shepherds depicted in this passage of scripture. One would show how God rejected His people (the sheep) due to their rejection of Him (Zechariah 11:4-14). The other shepherd shows how people were given over to an evil shepherd (Zechariah 11:15-17). In verses 4-8: God instructed Zechariah to take a position as shepherd of a flock of fattened sheep that were being butchered. During a time of spiritual and political confusion, the Messiah would lead God's people. The people were symbolized by the flock, who fed on their own avarice and wicked desires until they were ready for God's judgment. Beauty (also known as Grace) and Bands (also known as Union) were the names that Zechariah gave to two shepherd’s staffs. To demonstrate that God’s gracious covenant with His people had been broken, he broke the first one, Beauty (or Grace). According to Zechariah 11:14, he broke the second one, known as Bands (or Union), to demonstrate that Israel and Judah’s brotherhood had been severed. The identity of the three evil shepherds is unknown, but God removed them because He knew they were unfit to lead His people. (Ezekiel 34:2-6; Isaiah 9:19-21; Ezekiel 37:16-23; John 17:21-23)
In verses 9-12: God broke His promise to protect Israel by breaking the staff known as Beauty (or Grace) because Israel had rejected the good shepherd. According to Exodus 21:32, it was an insult to pay this shepherd thirty pieces of silver because this was the price paid to the owner of a slave who had been gored by an ox. In addition, Judas received this sum for betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:2-10). The price of a slave was the same price that was paid for the priceless Messiah. (Psalms 69:22-28; Jeremiah 15:2-3; John 13:27-30)
In verses 13-17: Potters came from the bottom of society. The “goodly price,” a sarcastic remark, could be given to the potter for very little money. The fact that the 30 pieces of silver Judas received for betraying Jesus were given back to the Temple and used to purchase a potter’s (Matthew 27:3-10) is significant. God would reject the people because they had rejected the Messiah, as demonstrated by Zechariah breaking the staff known as the Bands (or Union). The Jews began to split into a number of groups shortly after Zechariah's time, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Herodians, and Zealots. Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. as a result of the disagreements among these groups. (Acts 1:18-19; Jeremiah 2:26-27; Ezekiel 34:2-6)
So, what is the difference between having Head knowledge and Heart knowledge? Which of these did the shepherds have? Of the two, what are true church leaders supposed to have today? When we dwell upon this thought, ALL Christians are in some way leaders within the church body because someone is always looking to them for some type of spiritual guidance or influence. If our spiritual hearts and lives are not what and where they should be, how can we be the proper Christian and proper influence to a lost and dying world? How can we lead one to the Kingdom if we ourselves are at fault for being the wrong type of shepherd? No matter what our position or social status is within the church body, our lives should reflect the light of the Lord to others so that they see Christ within us. Zechariah 8:1-15
Again, Zechariah hears from God. In verses 1-6: Jerusalem had fallen due to the sin that the people had allowed to come in. Not only was God jealous for Zion (the place) but also Zion (the people). God protects those He loves but He does allow things to happen to get His people back in line. God wants us to be faithful to Him and follow His guidance. Although God loves His children, He will chastise them if need be. Jerusalem will be a city of truth when Jesus returns. In disturbed occasions, the old and the youthful are the main to suffer and die. Yet, the two groups are ample in this vision, filling the roads with their typical ordinary daily lives. This is an indication of the total harmony and thriving of God’s new earth. The remnant was the little gathering of outcasts, exiles, who had gotten back from Babylonian captivity, to reconstruct Jerusalem and the Temple. Attempting to get by in the land, they got debilitated and discouraged over the resistance they regularly faced from antagonistic neighbors. It was difficult to accept that one day God himself would rule from this city and that their land would appreciate incredible harmony and bounty. Another way to say verse 6 is “What seems inconceivable to you is not a hard task for me.” God helped Zechariah to remember this fact while anticipating his redemption of Jerusalem. Our God is almighty; he can do anything. While facing apparently unimaginable undertakings or circumstances, we should remember that “with God, all things are possible.”
In verses 7-9: God needed to give the Temple laborers a little push to make them move. They had heard the prophets’ uplifting statements; presently they needed to stop simply tuning in, they needed to get to work. We need to tune in to what God says, yet whenever he has made our strategy plain, we need to “be solid and strong” and do what he wants us to do. I will bring them back (saving from east and west). The covenant relationship will be restored, and the entire local area will be filled with God’s presence. This promise of pardoning and rebuilding alludes to the entirety of God’s people any place they might be found. Here these verses are telling us that the Jews were told to remember their lives before the temple was being rebuilt, when they were in exile. The prophets gave encouragement from God to the people. What was our lives like before we accepted Christ? We should heed the Word of the Lord, be strong, and do what He has called us to do.
In verses 10-15: Once again, encouragement is given. For over 15 years God and His prophets had been encouraging the people to wrap up building the Temple. Again, God supported them with dreams of things to come. We are enticed to back off for several reasons: the workers are not reacting; we feel truly or sincerely depleted; the workers are uncooperative; the work is tacky, excessively troublesome, or not even worth the exertion. God’s promises about the future ought to support us now. He understands what the consequences of our works will be, and hence He can give us a point of view that will help us proceed in our work for Him.
What will the Lord have to do, or allowed to be done, for Christians of today to repent and be restored? Remember what was... Look through what is... And see what will be. Zechariah 6:1-15
Zechariah sees multiple visions at night, and then he gives a few messages to the people. We will read about one of those visions and one of those messages. Zechariah Sees Four Chariots. In verses 1-8:
The Symbolic Crowning of Joshua. In verse 9-15:
Zechariah 5:1-11
In verses 1-4: Vision of the flying scroll God's judgment across the land. Judgment against those who violated God's law, especially regarding the stealing and lying. Judgment would be brought to God's people then to rest of the world. The flying scroll declares righteous wrath of God against sinners. The flying scroll could also represent the Ten Commandments that used to hang on the courtroom walls. We are responsible for our own deeds. The world cannot change if they do not have someone to show them the way. We cannot show the world our Savior if we are not where we need to be in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
In verses 5-11: The woman (Jewish nation) in the basket is the wickedness. The woman in the basket was carried away to a far country (center of idolatry and wickedness). This could depict Israel's wickedness and sin taken them away, or wickedness and sin being removed from Israel. The guilt is upon the sinners as a weight oflead. Sin must and will be removed. Christ died to remove sin's power and penalty. When we trust in Jesus, he removes the penalty of sin and when Christ returns, he will remove all sin from earth.
God will deliver his people but at what cost? What will it cost the people to be delivered? What did it cost God? Application Judgment is coming to God’s children for disobedience. Judgment is coming to those who refuse God. Zechariah 4:1-14
This is another vision where Zechariah sees the golden lampstand and olive trees. The ultimate meaning of this vision answers the question “How will any Christian finish the work that the Lord has given them to do?” It is by the Spirit of God. In verses 1-5: The angel came and woke Zachariah up. He saw the candlestick which represents Israel. The olive trees supplied oil (the Spirit of God) for the lamps (Israel) to shine. What do we see?
In verses 6-8: Zerubbabel was tasked to rebuild the Temple (Ezra 3:2; Haggai 1:1, 2:23). Haggai and Zechariah were tasked with giving moral and spiritual support to do the work. Zerubbabel could do nothing without God, no might, no power, no money, no smooth talking, only by God’s Spirit. We cannot do anything unless God works through us. How can we let our light shine if we continually let the devil blow out the flame? Do we have enough oil (the Spirit of God)? Are we resupplying our oil (the Spirit of God)? Do we need to change our wick?
No matter what the devil puts in front of us, with God all things are possible. Climbing mountains can strengthen our muscles and endurance. Our strength comes not from ourselves, not by might, nor by power, but by the Holy Spirit. It is only through God that anything of value will last. Indeed, the exiles who had returned were weak, harassed by their adversaries, exhausted, discouraged, and poor. However, they actually had God on their side. We must be determined not to rely on our own abilities or strength as we live for God. Hosea 1:7 says that instead, we ought to work with the power of His Spirit and rely on God.
In verses 9-10: Zerubbabel laid the foundation and will finish the Temple in 516 B.C. (Ezra 6:14-15). How? Because he was submissive to God’s will. Often, we are afraid to step out on faith. We need to listen for the Holy Spirit’s calling and wait for the Holy Spirit to call us.
In verses 11-14: We see the two olive trees, two olive branches, and two golden pipes. These could represent Zerubbabel and Joshua who were dedicated for the task, how the spirit flowed through them to reach the children of Israel. These could also represent the two witnesses in the book of Revelation. What type of witness are we if we are witnessing at all?
We need to realize that it is only through the Holy Spirit that anything of value is accomplished. Determine not to trust in our own strength or abilities. Depend on God and work in His power. What we do for God may seem and insignificant, God rejoices in what is right. Be faithful in small opportunities. Begin where we are, do what we can, leave results to God. Zechariah 3:1-7
When the remnant returned to Israel to rebuild the walls (Haggai 1:1, 2:4), Joshua was the High Priest at that time. In verses 1-3: Joshua is appointed and Satan stands to accuse him. Joshua’s appearance / man’s appearance. Joshua, who here represents the nation of Israel, was accused (“resisted”) by Satan. Joshua stood in “filthy garments” (sins) and the accusations were true. However, God showed His mercy by stating that He had decided to save His people regardless. In Job 1:6, it says that Satan always makes people look bad in front of God. Yet, he extraordinarily misconstrues the expansiveness of God’s benevolence and absolution toward the people who put their faith in Him. In the end, Satan the Accuser will be destroyed (Revelation 12:10), and all believers will be saved (John 3:16). We can ask God to strip us of our sin and clothe us in His goodness so that we can be ready.
The fire of great trials had been God’s punishment for Judah, but He saved the nation before it was completely destroyed, “a brand plucked out of the fire.” In verses 4-5: Joshua is made acceptable. Joshua is given a mitre (crown) and he was given a charge. Zechariah’s vision shows how believers obtain mercy from God. It has nothing to do with us or anything that we can. However, it is God who removes our (“filthy garments”) sins. When we repent of our sins and ask Christ into our hearts, that is when the filthy rags are removed, and we obtain a new set of clothes (righteousness). When Satan tries to make us feel unclean and unworthy, we should remember that Christ's righteousness is clean and makes us worthy of coming closer to God.
In verses 7-10: There was not a priesthood during the exile, so it was restarted, and Joshua became the High Priest. One of the duties that the High Priest had to perform was the offering of a sacrifice, for the sins of the people on the Day of Atonement. The priest was the mediator between man and God. This was to represent the future Messiah (Isaiah 11:1) who would change how the people’s sins were dealt with (Hebrews 10:8-14). Jesus Christ was the High Priest who sacrificed Himself once and for all time to pay for our sins. In His new order, each Christian is a priest offering a sacred, purged life to God (1 Peter 2:9; (Revelation 5:10). The Messiah is referred to by the Branch. There is no clear meaning about the stone with seven facets (“eyes”). It could imply that the Branch Himself was the establishment stone of the Temple, the stone that Moses struck that delivered water for the Israelites (Numbers 20:7-11), or the reestablished church spiritual priesthood. Jesus Christ fulfilled these verses hundreds of years later. Christ, who “hath suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God,” fulfilled God’s promise that “I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” (1 Peter 3:18). We cannot atone for our sins on our own. It is through Christ that God can remove them. If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Imagine if you will a court room. God is the judge. Satan is the prosecuting attorney, telling the court everything that you did wrong. You are the accused. Jesus is the defense lawyer, and He paid the price for your sins. Have you ever noticed that the prosecutor is to the left side of the judge and the defense is on the right, from the judge’s perspective?
We were appointed when we accepted Christ as our Savior. Satan is always trying to accuse us. In sin we had an old appearance, but in Christ we have a new appearance. We were made acceptable to God through the blood of Jesus. We have been given a crown of life, and we have also been given a charge to go and spread the Gospel of Jesus. Can anyone tell just by looking at us that we are Christians? Have we traded our old clothes for new clothes, our old walk for a new walk, our old way of talking for a new way of talking? Do we use the same language, same jokes, same clothes? Do we go to the same places? Do we project Christ in our lives everywhere we go? Do we set the example? (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:9, Ephesians 4:24, 1 John 2:15-16, 2 Corinthians 6:17) Thanks to Calvary, I am not the man I used to be. Thanks to Calvary, things are different than before. Hebrews 9:27
What is a terminal illness? On https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/who/terminal-illness-definition it states, “A terminal illness is a disease or condition which cannot be cured and is likely to lead to someone’s death. It is sometimes called a life-limiting illness. Some people may use different definitions, so it’s important to ask if you’re not sure what someone is saying or what it means.” A terminal illness is a disease or condition that cannot be cured. There is no coming back from it. Appointed Once to Die: There is a natural order of events for every human being upon this earth, and that is death. Death is appointed unto all humanity, which is a fact. Nothing of this earth can keep any human from facing death. Judgment follows death for everyone, and for those that are the unsaved, those that are the non-believers of Jesus Christ, those who have not accepted Jesus as their personal Savior; there is nothing that can keep a sinner from condemnation at the judgment seat except he or she accepts Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection. Nor can someone escape everlasting punishment from rejecting the salvation that Christ gives. If Christ’s death does not spare you, then there is nothing in front of you except the judgment and eternal damnation. A Time for Birth, a Time for Death:
Solomon’s point here is that God has an arrangement for His people as a whole. Consequently, God gives patterns of life, each with its work for us to do. Despite the fact that there might be numerous issues that we face that appear to go against God’s plans, these ought not be hindrances for us to trust in Him, yet rather this ought to be occasions to find that, without God, life’s concerns have no enduring answers. All Are of the Dust:
Our bodies cannot always live in their current state. In that sense, humankind and creatures are indistinguishable. However, Solomon recognized that God has provided individuals with the desire of a world without end (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and that we will stand judgment in the following life (Ecclesiastes 12:7, 14), making us unique in relation to the animals. Since man has forever set in his heart, he has an exceptional purpose in God’s general design. However, we cannot find God’s intention for our lives on our own. It is only through building a relationship with Him and looking for His direction. Is it true or not that we are currently involving our life as God would have us to do? Do we consider it to be a gift from Him? Earthly House Dissolved:
Paul differentiated our natural bodies (“earthly house of this tabernacle”) and our future revived bodies (“building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens”). Paul plainly expressed that our current bodies make us moan. However, when our time comes for us to die a physical death, we will not be just a spirit without a body (“be found naked”). We will have new bodies that will be ideally suited for our never-ending life. Paul composed as he did on the grounds that the congregation at Corinth was in the core of Greek culture, and numerous believers experienced issues with the idea of a resurrected body because they did not believe in a resurrected body. Most considered life following death to be something that happened distinctly to the spirit (soul); the genuine individual, detained in an actual body. At death, the spirit was delivered. There was no everlasting status for the body, yet the spirit entered a timeless state. However, the Bible instructs us that the body and soul are inseparable. Paul portrays our restored bodies in more detail in 1 Corinthians 15:46-58. We actually will have personality characteristics and unmistakable contrasts in our revived bodies, yet our bodies will be superior to what we can envision through Christ’s work. The Bible does not tell us everything about our revived bodies, however we realize that we will have a perfected body, without affliction or infection (Philippians 3:21). Corruptible Made Incorruptible:
We as a whole face impediment. The individuals who have physical, mental, or mental impairments are basically mindful of this. Some might be visually impaired however they can see a better approach to live. Some might be hard of hearing; however, they can hear God’s Good News. Some might be maimed; however, they can stroll in God’s adoration. Likewise, they have the consolation that those debilitations are just transitory. Paul lets us know that Christians will be given new bodies when Jesus returns and that these bodies will be without handicaps, never to end up being sick, ill, debilitated, or to die. This should give us hope and trust during our languishing. “We shall not all sleep” implies that Christians alive on that day will not have to face a physical death however, they will be changed right away. A trumpet blast will introduce the new paradise and new earth. The Jews would comprehend the meaning of this since trumpets were constantly blown to flag the beginning of an incredible feast and other remarkable occasions (Numbers 10:10). The Saints’ Death:
What makes a Christian death different from the death of a sinner is that God remains nearby us even in death. At the point when somebody that we love is approaching death, we might end up being furious and feel deserted. In any case, Christians are valuable to God, and He cautiously picks when they are to be called to be in His presence. We should allow this reality to give us solace when we have lost a friend or family member. God sees this and every life is significant to Him (Matthew 10:28-32).
Malachi 3:16 -4:6
The last of the prophets of the Old Testament was Malachi. He preaches to the priests and to the people, reminding them of their sis and transgressions, calling them to repentance and the coming of the Messiah. Soon, all prophesies would cease for roughly four hundred years. In Malachi 1:1-2:9, we read of the sinful priests. In Malachi 2:10-3:15, we read of the sinful people. The last few verses of Malachi are to the faithful few and we learn of the great judgment day of the Lord. This is what we will focus on today. Amidst the wickedness that prevailed throughout the land, there yet a few people that had remained faithful to God. And as such, God would pour out blessings upon them. In Malachi 3:16-18: “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.” Here we have the faithful few that feared and loved God AND were having church meetings. “A book of remembrance was written.” God does not forget but I believe this is referring to the Book of Life (Psalms 69:28; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 21:27, Isaiah 4:2-3, Daniel 12:1) God's people are His “jewels.” A jewel is made from material of the ground, formed under pressure and heat. So, think of a pearl inside an oyster. It starts off as a grain of sand, which over time and pressure becomes a pearl. Other precious gems from the ground must be put under pressure. The rough edges hewn and cut away, then polished so that the beautiful jewel shines through. True believers will go through trials. The Holy Jeweler will use these circumstances to transform the hardness of our lives to gleaming gems. What tool will He use, a jeweler's hammer, a sledgehammer, or a jack hammer? (Nehemiah 13:22, 1 Peter 1:13-16) How do we discern the righteous from the wicked, a believer and a non-believer, a sinner, and a saint? (Matthew 7:16; Galatians 5:22-26; Matthew 6:24, Psalm 58:10-11, Amos 5:15) In Malachi 4:1-3: The Great Judgment Day of the Lord: “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” The Day of the Lord will come and the wicked shall be consumed (Revelation 6:8). Where will we spend eternity, heaven, or hell? (Isaiah 5:24, Isaiah 9:18-19, Matthew3:12) In the Old Testament, the Sun of Righteousness, and in the New Testament, the Bright and Morning Star, are the same person, which John the Baptist prophesied of Christ Jesus (Luke 1:76-79, 2 Samuel 23:4, Isaiah 30:26, Isaiah 35:6, Jeremiah 30:17, Jeremiah 33:6) In Malachi 4:4-6: “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.” The laws given to Moses were for the basis of Israel’s moral and civil life. In addition, these laws still apply to man today. Unfortunately, mankind does not seem to adhere to all of them. Oh, that man would remember the Law of the Lord. (Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 4:5-6) Now we see the foretelling of the coming of Elijah before the coming of the Lord. This could be in reference to John the Baptist who preceded Christ by preaching and preparing the people for the Messiah (Matthew 17:10-13; Luke 1:17). Or it could be referring to one of the two witnesses who appear in the latter days (Revelation 11:3-12). Either way, we can still present the Gospel to the world as wait for Christ to return (Mark 16:15, Matthew 11:14, Mark9:11-13) Repentance and returning to God. The best way for people to prepare for the coming of the Lord is by preparing their hearts and turning to God. The Old Testament ends with a call to repentance and judgment to the wicked. No one can escape the judgment of the broken law of God unless their hearts are turned &om sin unto righteousness through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Isaiah 24:6, Matthew 11:21, Revelation 19:15) A committed heart and life will take a sacrifice from us. We are assured that it will be worth it all as we are looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). Those who remain devoted to God and who love, revere, and honor Him, will be remembered by Him. Haggai 2:1-23 (19)
Have we been obedient? This is Haggai's subsequent message, given during the Feast of Tabernacles, around the month of October, 520 B.C. The more seasoned individuals, the elders, could recollect the unbelievable magnificence of Solomon's Temple, which had been annihilated 66 years sooner. Many were debilitated on the grounds that this new Temple was second rate compared to Solomon's. But Haggai supported and encouraged them with God's message that the quality and splendor of this Temple would outperform the former Temple. The most significant piece of the Temple is the presence of God. After 500 years, Jesus Christ would stroll into the Temple courts. “Be strong, and work, for I am with you.” Judah's kin had as of now had returned to worshiping God, and he vowed to favor their endeavors. Presently it was the ideal opportunity for them to work. We should be a group of petitions (that means prayer), Bible study, and worship; yet in the long run, we must get out and do what God has given for us to do. He wants to use us, to work through us to change the world. God has given us something important to take care of in the church, at our work environment, and at our home. The opportunity has arrived for us to be strong, steadfast, and work, for God is with us.
The Israelites had been driven from bondage in Egypt to their Promised Land. They were God's chosen, whom he led and tended to by his Holy Spirit. However, he chastised them for their wrongdoings, he stayed faithful to his obligation and never left them (Exodus 29:45-46). Regardless of the hardships we face or how baffling our work might be, God's Spirit is with us. The center movements from the neighborhood Temple being remade in Jerusalem to the overall rule of the Messiah on the planet. The words “it is a little while” are not restricted to what is the historical setting; they allude to God's control of history. He can act any time he picks. God will act in his time (Hebrews 12:26-27). When God vowed to “shake all nations” with his judgment, he was discussing both the current judgment of the evil countries and the future judgment to come during the last days. The “desire of all nations” has two potential implications: First, it could allude to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who might enter the Temple 500 years after the fact and fill it with his greatness and his tranquility. Second, it could likewise allude to the wealth that would stream into the Temple, given as contributions to the people of God.
God wanted the Temple to be remade, and he had the gold and silver to do it, however he required willing hands. God has decided to take care of his job through his kin. He gives the assets and resources; however willing hands should accomplish the work. Are our hands accessible and available for God's work on this planet? The model given in this message clarifies that sacredness and holiness does not rub off onto others, however defilement will. Since the people were starting to submit and obey to God, he vowed to provide encouragement and prosperity. However, they needed to comprehend that the Temple activities would not tidy up their wrongdoing; just contrition, repentance, and obedience could do that. In the event that we demand holding onto wrong mentalities and sins or on keeping up with cozy associations with corrupt individuals, we will be tainted. After we are equipped with God's Holy Spirit, only then will holy living be evident in our lives.
If we work in the garden, or on an automobile our hands get dirty. Sin and childish mentalities produce similar outcomes; they stain all that they contact. Indeed, even benevolent acts accomplished for God can be polluted by corrupt perspectives. The only cure is God's purifying, his cleansing, his forgiveness of our sins. The people reestablished the Temple’s foundation, and God promptly favored them. He did not wait for them to finish the job, he blessed them anyway. God regularly gives his approval and endorsement with the first obedient undertakings that we do. Is the seed yet in the barn? What have we done with what God has given us? Are we storing it up for later use? Have we planted it? Have we shared the seed with others? Every seed planted has the potential to produce an abundance of other seeds. If the seed is not planted, then there can be no fruit produced.
Haggai's message to the people was for them to get their priorities inline, assist them with stopping their stressing, and to spur them into rebuilding the Temple. Like the Israelites of then, we regularly place a higher need on our own solace than on God's work and giving him true praise and worship. However, God is satisfied and guarantees strength and direction when we put him ahead of all others in our lives.
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