DECEMBER 20
The next two prophets served the first wave of exiles from
Babylon who were trying to rebuild the temple. Ezra mentions both Haggai and
Zechariah in Ezra 5:1 and Ezra 16:14. The time was about 18 years after the
exiles returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel.
They were commanded to rebuild the temple and they began with zeal; but under
the pressure of their neighbors, the rebuilding had come to a standstill. If you
reread some of Ezra you'll see that the Jews were forced to stop building. For
some reason this time of Haggai was a critical time in the lives of the
returned exiles. Ezra wasn't there yet, nor was Nehemiah. Suddenly Haggai
appeared with four short messages all within a few months. Amazingly the
leaders sprang to life. Then before Haggai gave his final address, Zechariah
began to preach. Zechariah is an unusual prophet and what he says will look
like the book of Revelation. What is interesting is that Haggai's last messages
also look to the end times. For some reason this was a very critical time and
as we saw with Zephaniah, in order to inspire hope, the Lord lifted their eyes
to the prize of what their earthly labor was working toward: the redemption of
man and the coming King.
There are two
charts at the end of this document that might help you understand where Haggai,
Zechariah and Malachi fit in the Old Testament. These charts are “The Three
Returns from Exile,” and “Chronology of the Postexilic Period.” And you also
will find one other chart that is focused on Haggai and Zechariah, “Dates of
Key Events in Haggai's and Zechariah's Time.”
Haggai
1-2
Haggai 1
V. 1 This Darius was not the Darius
from Daniel 6. This is now 18 years later. Darius was a popular name among the
Persians and Medes, sort of like names for popes.
Notice that the message is to
Zerubbabel and to Joshua.
Zerubbabel was the governor and in the
line of David. Wait until you see the good things God says about him in Haggai
and then in Zechariah.
Joshua the high priest appears in a
very dramatic scene in Zechariah.
To get your bearings here notice when
this first message was given. Now go to 2:10 where the day of the final two
messages is given. As far as we know, Haggai's ministry lasted only three
months, but not without impact.
Vs. 2-11 Remember that this message was
given to these two leaders. As I read this, this sounds so much like what any
of us are prone to do in the western world. The harvest is difficult, but going
to church and living in comfort is so easy. Yet, our lives are so barren of
fruit. To draw close to God as a disciple means you will have to become
dissatisfied with a lack of fruit. Verse 8 reminds me of John 15:8.
Vs. 12-15 This was a miracle and shows
the power of God in Haggai's message. It also shows the hearts of Zerubbabel
and Joshua as godly leaders. It just makes you happy to read this.
Haggai 2
Vs. 1-9 This message comes a month into
their work on the temple and they were discouraged. How could this temple
compare to the glorious temple of Solomon? The Lord tells Zerubbabel and Joshua
to be encouraged and keep working. Then in vs. 6-9, God gives them a hint of
the coming glory of the millennial temple. God lifts their eyes from that
temple to the future temple to strengthen their hands. This is a very direct
and heartfelt word to these two men.
It should also be noted that Ezekiel
had already completed his book and I'm sure it was in print. Joshua would have
brought a copy with him. They would have read about the millennial temple in
Ezekiel 40. God, through Haggai, was reminding them that whatever was on earth
now was only a frail copy of what would be in the future.
Vs. 10-19 This message is directed to
the priests to remain holy, personally and in their attitudes. The people might
have "let down" regarding rebuilding the temple, but the priests and
Levites couldn't let down in their holiness before God and in leading the
people. God marks this day as the day He will begin to bless the exiles for
their obedience. It is interesting that the promise of blessing was marked with
the spiritual reform of the leaders.
Vs. 20-23 This is the same day, and the
message is only for Zerubbabel. The best guess is that this blessing is still
waiting for fulfillment in the Millennium. Zerubbabel was true to God and there
will be a reward. Since we know that the resurrected David will lead Israel in
the Millennial Kingdom, it is thought that Zerubbabel will also be raised to
work and govern under David as part of this reward. After this time of Haggai
and Zechariah, we hear nothing more about Zerubbabel. He was not present when
Ezra arrived 62 years later or when Nehemiah arrived 76 years later.
Reading these prophets, it makes me
aware of how important it is to live closely with the Lord in faith, to keep
the end in view and to stay motivated in the harvest. God showed these leaders
what they were working for, lifting their vision beyond their challenges and
beyond their generation. Their work was adding to the coming day of redemption
for all peoples and nations. That is exactly what we are working toward too, as
we follow Jesus in the harvest, making disciples, who make disciples.
Revelation
11
Just as chapter 10 showed a heavenly
event that will signify a change from the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation to
the next 3.5 years, chapter 11 shows us what has happened on earth as this
change has taken place.
Vs. 1-2 The temple will be rebuilt in
the first 3.5 years of peace in Jerusalem. Now a change has taken place and the
nations will trample Jerusalem for the next 3.5 years. It is exactly at the
mid-point of the Tribulation that the antichrist will come into the temple,
defile it and stop the worship. Both Daniel and Jesus spoke of this.
V. 3 Now we learn about the two
witnesses. Notice that their ministry was for 3.5 years, that is, the first
half of the Tribulation. I think it is obvious that neither the antichrist nor
the nations could run amok in Jerusalem with these guys on the loose. No one
knows who these two guys are, but since it says in Hebrews that you only die
once, it seems a good guess to think these might be two guys in the OT who
never died, Enoch and Elijah. Or, of course, they could just be two other guys,
like Fred and Ralph.
Vs. 4-6 In Zechariah 4:2-14 we see
Zerubbabel and Joshua referred to in the same way. The idea is that they bore
witness in their generation in giving light like lampstands, and both are
empowered by the Holy Spirit, as seen in the oil of the olive tree.
Notice that these guys can call down
disaster and no one can stand against them. I think, as the seals are being
broken and the trumpets are sounding in heaven, these guys are on earth calling
down all the judgments just like Moses and Aaron did. This means that they work
in the first 3.5 years.
Vs. 7-10 My sense is that the angel's
declaration in chapter 10 will introduce the mystery of God, allowing His
followers to conquer Satan by the sacrifice and testimony of their lives for
Christ. This mystery will begin on earth with the deaths of these two men. It
reminds me of Herod laying hands on the apostles in Acts 12. God allowed it,
but it only advanced the gospel.
You've got to admit this sounds funny,
that people in the world will be so happy that these guys are dead that they
will give gifts. That will make it a real "black Friday." I wonder if
they'll put up their Christmas trees. I'll bet there will be fantastic
discounts. Even though it has been said, and people know in their hearts, that
what has happened is the judgment of God as written in the Bible, they will
only think about those two guys. They won't see God. They will think that if
they kill the messengers, God will go away.
Think of what has happened with all of
the seals and the trumpets. Over half of the earth's population is dead. A
third of the land of the earth is scorched. A third of the fresh water is
poisoned; a third of the ocean is poisoned, and a third of the world’s fleet of
ships is gone. There is war and famine all over the planet. Think of how long
it took to clean up after Katrina hit the Gulf States in the U.S., with all of
the U.S.'s resources. The earth will be totally wrecked for those last 3.5
years and everything will finally resemble an apocalyptic landscape. Without
technology, utilities and the ability to make gasoline, we'll all be on equal
footing. The earth will be happy these guys are dead and the antichrist and his
beast will be very popular, with action figures and TV interviews, etc….
We don't see it yet, but the fact that
just a third of everything was destroyed was still God's mercy in trying to
wake people up to the judgments yet to come. People could have still repented.
In some way this is a very crucial time while there is still the chance to come
to God because things will get worse. The hearts of people will now be totally
revealed and most will become totally hardened.
Vs. 11-13 Apparently this will be
televised. Notice that this is resurrection, but after 3.5 days, it is the
total recreation of their bodies. Also, notice that if people are giving glory
to God, they are believing.
I would say it is after this that the
antichrist takes his place in the temple, declaring himself to be God or the
messiah, with a small "m." You have to admit, showing his muscle like
this would make a convincing argument that he is the king ant on the ant hill,
except that it's just an ant hill.
Vs. 15-19 The death of the witnesses
begins the second 3.5 years. The seventh angel blows his trumpet and it is
declared that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and
of His Christ."
Notice that the ark of the covenant is there in the heavenly temple. As important
as the ark of the covenant was in the days from Moses to David, it was lost
sometime before the Babylonian captivity. In order for Josiah to have
sacrificed, he would have needed the ark. It talks about all of the things that
Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple, but it never mentions the ark. I know
some people think Indiana Jones found it, and obviously Israel had to make
another ark for Ezra's generation and for the generation in Jesus' day, but I
wonder if this is the missing ark and God took it before the destruction of the
temple by Nebuchadnezzar. Just speculation.
This is a solemn moment and there is
worship, but what really happens here? Jesus doesn't return at this point and
there are still events taking place and there are yet seven bowls of judgment
to be poured out. There are still 3.5 years of what will now be referred to as
the "Great Tribulation."
It seems to me that God is showing the
power of His righteousness and the proof of forgiveness and redemption by
allowing the world to be "judged," or "conquered" by the
saints. What better proof to the success of the work you have done than to let
the finished product speak for itself. The next chapters should make this more
evident that God is giving up His own people as proof of the power of salvation
in Christ. These people will carry their cross daily and most will be giving up
their lives for their Savior.
As we read these next chapters it looks
pretty grim for the followers of Jesus. But imagine going through all of this
and having the playbook in hand. I'm sure there will be some desperate moments,
but I'll bet there will be some Spirit-inspired joy and courage like the world
has never seen. Everything that Jesus said should be true of a disciple will be
alive and lived through those followers. They will not fear in their deaths and
they will give up testimony as they are removed from the earth and enter into
life. That is how we need to be working now in the harvest. We have far less to
be anxious about than they'll have, and we have the same assurance that we are
in the Lord's hands as we work in the harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples,
who make disciples.
Psalm
139
As you read this psalm for the second
time this year, think of how your understanding or feeling for what David is
saying might be different because of what you have read since then.
Vs. 1-6 Verse 6 is the climax here. God
knows us intimately, completely, and intricately. In faith we can rejoice in
this knowledge, knowing God has cleansed us in Jesus Christ; otherwise, this
would be pretty scary.
Vs. 7-12 Again, in a heart of faith,
this is a major comfort. As Jesus encouraged His disciples that there could be
things done to them that would never be known, that they might be killed and
there would be no justice, Jesus said to them, So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be
revealed, or hidden that will not be known. (Matt. 10:26) Not only does God
see, He is there too. We are never alone.
Vs. 13-18 These verses add another dimension
to what Paul wrote in Romans 8:29-31, For
those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his
Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those
whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,
and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these
things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Vs. 19-22 Regarding the lost, we are to
love all men and work to see the lost saved and disciples made. Regarding our
Father, our prayer is to be, Your kingdom
come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Among all the things
those words mean, they mean judgment to those who rebel against Christ. We are
praying for justice, for the light of God to come and for this tragedy to be
over.
Vs. 23-24 This is the kind of bold
transparency we need each day as we pursue our Lord, following Him in the
harvest.
Proverbs 30:15-16
This is a rather striking image for a lack of contentment.
As Paul said, But godliness with
contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot
take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we
will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare,
into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction. (1 Timothy 6:6-9)
In this Christmas season, that is a good thought. I'm afraid
that for most people and many believers, Christmas and life are reflected in
the words of this proverb.
If you’re reading along
and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these
comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in
growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see
the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples,
meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out
and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal
manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us
more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are
only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of
God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed
to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the
people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to
find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples,
disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a
complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find
it in my book: Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
If you would like a more
descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the
Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the
commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never
hurts.
I am not endorsing any
particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte
Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with
us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their
own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular
tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to
criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has
written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like
documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to
print.
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