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Haggai 2:20-23 The signet ring - Day 347

Good evening friends,

Seems that God is always asking if we will be encouraged today by things that are far in the future.  The exiles were trying to rebuild Jerusalem and were looking for hope "right now".  If they put all their trust in immediate restoration of kingdom, they would be disappointed.

Blessings,

Jeff

Zerubbabel - "sown or born in Babylon".  The Messianic line of David continues through Zerubbabel.  He is in Matthew's genealogy of Joseph.  But the line from Zerubbabel is only there.  The 400 year inter-testament period is silent.  So the record of the line of David was apparently documented but was not recorded in Scripture until Matthew.

Certainly seems that God's promise is imminent. I am about to shake... I am about to destroy... and specific to him I will take you Zerubbabel.  The intent seems to be to encourage the exiles.  The fact that the signs and the Messiah were still centuries in the future would not be a comfort to those who walk by sight.  But to those who walk by faith, it would be very encouraging.  This same challenge faces the Church.  We all look to the second advent.  But to some it is a rescue from facing tribulation, what is good for me.  to others who see a Church present during tribulation, it is a better resurrection.  

The fact that the strength of the kingdom and nations was not destroyed at Messiah's first advent is troubling to those who were looking for a political savior of the nation.  But again, this is walking by sight and not by faith.  Any expectation that the Messiah will make Israel or the Church a political power seems to be off base.  Messiah's first advent is to deal with sin, not social and political.  The second advent if for judgment of those who refuse to accept the spiritual solution that He offers.

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