Haggai 2:20-23

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Haggai’s Fourth and Final Sermon

List the three post-exhilic prophets who wrote books in the Old Testament.
Who did they prophesy to and when?
What is the important event found in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 and Ezra 1?
When did Haggai give his four fiery sermons? Why did he give them?
What words introduce each sermon?
Who in particular was the fourth and final sermon addressed to? What was the intent of this message?
When was the temple completed?

Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
To the Jewish people after they had returned from the seventy year captivity in Babylon.
The edict of Cyrus, King of Persia, that allowed the Jews in Babylon to return to their homeland.
Haggai gave his sermon in 520 B.C., to stir up the people, to exhort them, and to encourage them to complete the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
Each sermon was introduced by “The word of the Lord came to Haggai.”
To Zerubbabel. It was meant to encourage Zerubbabel in his faithful and courageous service. See Haggai 2:20-21.
The rebuilding of the Temple was completed in 516 BC, exactly 70 years after the first Temple (Solomon's Temple) was destroyed by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC.

Read Haggai 1:21-22, “I will shake heaven and earth...” Commentators believe that this time is associated with the Lord’s second coming. Read about the signs our Lord gave in the Olivet Discourse (Luke 21:24-27). For a more graphic description of these times, read Daniel 2:44, Revelation 16, and Zechariah 12:4. Out of this great shake-up will come our Lord’s glorious reign. This was encouraging to Zerubbabel. Is it encouraging to you that the Lord and His Kingdom will one day be supreme?
“Zerubbabel will be made a signet ring.” (Haggai 2:23) In ancient days signet rings were used as a seal of authority. Zerubbabel was being promised a place of authority in the future. Most commentators see this as prefiguring Christ, the coming King. This promise encouraged Zerubbabel, it should also encourage us.

It seems that current events are moving quickly toward end times. Are you ready for the future? Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Are you, as a Christian, living your life with eternity in view?

“ I will shake heaven and earth, I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms... ” - Haggai 2:21-22
“ ‘In that day,’ says the Lord, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, and will make you a signet ring; for I have chosen you.’ ” - Haggai 2:23