"UNSHAKEABLE PEACE"
Haggai
“Unshakeable Peace”
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Preached by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom
The Judgment of the Lord is now visiting the earth and the world system. In the time of global shaking and the distress of nations, God’s people need not wring their hands, sweating and fretting. What are we to do? The clear answer from God’s infallible Word speaks for itself.
1 Cor. 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
The Book of Haggai is Messianic. Jesus Christ is revealed as Prophet (Haggai), Priest (Joshua), and Price or King (Zerubbabel), uniting the three offices in one Person, The Lord Jesus Christ, and the One with all power:
Over 500 years before Messiah’s birth, the Voice of a young prophet is about to pierce the ironclad allegiance of a people determined to preserve their lukewarm life style. The living Word is postured and focused to revive the original vision of the God of Abraham and David.
Like Noah and John the Baptist, Haggai---the prophet of reconstruction---was a no-holds-barred preacher of repentance. Very little is known about this man who preached in the sixth, seventh, and ninth months of 520 B.C. Zachariah brought a confirming word in the eighth and eleventh months of the same year (Zech. 1: 1, 7).
Haggai challenged the people to build Zerubbabel’s temple. Zechariah encouraged them to behold the spiritual temple, the Messiah’s Church. Haggai was practical, with his feet on the ground. Zechariah was visionary, with his head in the clouds---they were a great combination.
Nothing is known about Haggai’s life, before or after his public ministry. His place in time is marked by the word he prophesied within a six-month time period. Haggai is called “the prophet” five times and "the Lord’s messenger” once (Hag. 1:13). No seer ever appeared at a more critical juncture in Jewish history, nor was any more successful. Nothing is known about his family or social circumstance, not even his father’s name. Jerome’s commentary suggests a Levitical descent; tradition buried him with honor near the sepulchers of the priests.
Haggai means the joyous one, festal one, rejoicing; feast of Jehovah, my feast festival. The foundation of Zerubbabel’s temple was laid amidst shouts and tears of joy (Ezra 3:12; 5:16); it was God’s desire that the remnant continues, and completes their labors in a festive spirit.
Interwoven among the declarations concerning Zerubbabel’s temple are predictions pertaining to the real spiritual temple, the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ and His glorious Church.
At the time this prophecy came forth, most of God’s people were more interested in temporal prosperity than their spiritual destination.
Enter Haggai, a man on a mission, a heavenly ambassador with but one message, one idea. The prophet represented Jehovah-Tsebaoth, “the Lord of Hosts,” the source of all power, the Controller of armies on earth and in Heaven. The Lord of hosts had authority---the weather obeyed His commands (Hag. 1:11); “And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground brings forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all labor of the hands.” The whole universe was in His grasp and would one day be shaken by His mighty hand. (Hag. 2: 6, 21). “For thus says the Lord of Hosts; yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.”
Haggai’s predictions divulge the purpose of unshakeable peace---the whole man. Our redemption in Christ will save us to the uttermost---spirit, soul, and body. The finishing of Zerubbabel’s temple points to the complete formation of His divine nature within the church, the Body of Christ, the Father’s permanent abode of living stones, eternal in the heavens.
Haggai’s second address (Hag. 2: 1-9) was a word of encouragement to Zerubbabel and Joshua about the temple’s completion. This second utterance was directed to the aged refuges.
2: 4-5: he predicts that the new Testament temple would exceed Solomon’s in magnificence; the silver and gold belong to Jehovah (2: 7-9). He upset
The third address (Hag. 2: 10-19) was a word of correction to the priests about the temple’s worship. The faint aroma of sanctity coming from their altar’s sacrifices was too feeble to pervade the secular atmosphere of their daily lives. Working on the sanctuary would not make them holy; rather, their attitudes had desecrated God’s house and spoiled their efforts (2:14). The people had failed to respond to Jehovah’s disciplinary judgment.
Haggai’s final address was the special word of promise to Zerubbabel about the temple’s strength and the Messiah’s authority. This predicts the overthrow of Gentile powers (2: 21-22). The governor of
The central foundational theme of Haggai’s prophecy has to do with unshakeable peace---unbreakable relationships, unbroken covenants, undivided hearts and the Kingdom is unstoppable.
Most of all King Jesus is the source of unwavering peace (Eph. 2:14)! Haggai speaks to our generation concerning the restoration of God’s house and the glorious One who lives there. Zion, the Kingdom of God, will never be moved (Ps. 125: 1-2). It is the habitation of God, the place of unshakeable peace and unbroken covenant
This prophecy unfolds the deep things of God. Yet his simple message is that God will complete His purposed will in each of our lives! This absolute truth is most vividly portrayed by Haggai’s prophetic peer, then confirmed in both Testaments.
Zech. 4:9: The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me unto you.
The Person and finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, the heavenly governor of
Haggai 2:22-23: I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen, and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. In that day, says the Lord of hosts, will I take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and will make you a signet; for I have chosen you says the Lord of Hosts.
The “signet ring” vision is to be fulfilled in “that day,” a familiar phrase to the prophets. “That day” in the Old covenant is “this day” in the new Covenant. The broad sense of “this day” is the New Testament day. The present application of “this day” is the third day, the Day of the Lord, the day when he comes to be admired and glorified in His holy habitation (2 Thess. 1:10). The use of “that day” is most prominent among the prophets, especially the book of Isaiah, Zachariah, Amos, Micah and Malachi.
The special word to the governor of
Zerubbabel is to be taken or apprehended as the chosen of God. The verb for “make” means “to take, grasp, take hold of.” The applications throughout the Word for “make” refer to the last Adam, the federal head of the new creation. Our King is the set Man in
When the apostle Paul admonished us to have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2: 4-5), the heart attitude of genuine humility, he recaptured the essence of Haggai’s prophecy. Every man was running to his own private life while the house of God lay waste. Those who wear Zerubbabel’s signet ring look to the interests of the Lord and His purposes in the earth. True Israelites who have power with God and men are servants of all. Our apostolic boast is we are part of the privileged class---the slaves of Jesus (Rom 1:1).
Zerubbabel was a seal guaranteeing the fulfillment of God’s promise given to David (2 Sam. 7: 12-16). He was chosen, not by the people or even mighty Cyrus. This petty prince from Judah (Ezra 1:8), a small impoverished nation under foreign dominance, was honored by the supreme ruler, the Lord of hosts. Sheshbazzar, born and so named in Babylon, was a prominent link in the illustrious Messianic chain extending from King David to King Jesus (Mt. 1:1, 12-13).
The signet was a precious stone on which was engraved the name, some identifying emblem, or design of the owner. A medallion or ring featured a raised or recessed signature or symbol that could be impressed on wax or moist clay.
The seal or ring was an official’s personal signature. Pharaoh gave his signet to Joseph as a badge of delegated authority (Gen. 41;42).
The signet was an emblem of royal authority, a most prized possession, the power of attorney---the name of the owner, Zerubbabel, who had been designated by God to lead the returning captives back to
All this reveals the Preciousness and power of Jesus’ name. Every ring requires a finger. Jesus compared “the finger of God” (Lk 11:20) with “the Spirit of God”. (Matt. 12:18) “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; ,my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles.” (Lk. 11:20): “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils no doubt the K
Zerubbabel typifies the Messiah and his glorious church as the “chosen” or elect of God (Mt. 12:18; 1 Pet. 2:4), the house where God has foreordained to pour out the glory of unshakeable peace. Being chosen by God brings people into an intimate relationship with Him (Deut. 14: 1-2). God’s choices shaped the history of Israel, led to their redemption from
A careful study of Zerubbabel being Jehovah’s “chosen” will reveal much about the Messiah and the Church who shares His authority.
All truth concerning the “seal” originate in the Pattern Son. Jesus Christ could not be sealed by the strongest governments of this world. We are citizens of the
Dan.7:14: There was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
The One who has all might and power has purposed to share it with His eternal companion of like nature and ability, the Bride of christ! We have been predestined to be joint-heirs of His grace and life. By Him kings reign and princes decree justice (Prov. 8:15). He has placed His covenant ring upon our finger.
The persons “sealed” are secured from destruction and marked for reward!
The purpose of unshakeable peace is to complete the real temple to save the whole man---spirit, soul, and body. Jesus Christ is set forth in the book of Hebrews as our great High Priest, the heavenly Jeshua.
The primary characteristic of the latter house prophesied in Hag. 2:9: The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place will I give peace, says the Lord of Hosts.
The primary characteristic will be an unshakeable peace in the time of global shaking. Unshakeable peace and Unbreakable relationships are a product of unbroken covenant, and undivided heart.
This revelator understanding of the end time was given to the prophet Haggai over 2,500 years ago. As a messenger of the Lord in his message, a window in the spirit was opened enough for Haggai to peer straight into the realm of eternal Spirit. In this vision Haggai was able to see the day and time when God would create a people for His name and pleasure---a glorious church who would show forth the stability and permanency of the Lord’s unwavering Kingdom.
Ps. 119:165 “Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
The church must step up and walk in our full provision and come forth in this hour with the Lord of Hosts of the armies of Heaven and take our authority over the political spirits and religious spirits that have been sent to intimidate this supernatural empowerment of the Bride of Christ.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.