The Signet of the Lord

Haggai 2:20–23 KJV

And again the word of the Lord came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; And 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, saith the Lord of hosts, Will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, And will make thee as a signet: For I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.

Now what? They had the Temple, they had been faithful, God had promised blessing, but they were still living in a hostile world. When would He finish the job?

Big Idea: God is making all things new.

the Temple is somewhat parallel to us being made new in Christ. The transformation which began with God’s people will spread and

God will make us a new world.

Haggai 2:20–21 KJV

And again the word of the Lord came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;

Explain: Same day. The Temple foundation is laid, but the world is still basically the same. They have been changed, but the cosmos has not. the same old wicked power structures are still in place.

This prophecy is addressed directly to Zerubbabel, the descendant of David who is operated at the pleasure of the Persians. His grandfather Johoiachin had been a king, but he was a mayor. If he was not like his grandfather, how much less David and Solomon’s splendor!

“I will shake” is a participle: “I am about to shake.” It describes something imminent, even though we know it has been millennia.

2 Peter 3:8–13 KJV

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Illustrate: Earthquake video

If the Earth shaking can destroy everything built by human hands, how much more will it be when God shakes the heavens and the earth?

Argue: This may seem like some escapist theology that removes our responsibility to care for the world, but that is far from the truth. The only thing that will make it from this world to the next is what we do for God.

Apply:

Job/career: What you make will not matter - soon to be burned.

Sin consequences - to be purified

Family/church/

God will bring us new strength.

Haggai 2:22 KJV

And 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.

Explain: The word “overthrow” is the same as for Sodom and Gomorrah. The whole unbelieving world is in for the same fate as the proverbially wicked cities.

Notice the actor: “I will.” God is the One who will defeat the nations. Not Zerbubbabel. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!

Revelation 19:19–21 KJV

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

What is at risk here is our whole idea of power. It will not ultimately come from all the chariots or horseman that money can buy. It will not come from a royal dynasty or an election.

Zechariah 4:6–9 KJV

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: And he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; His hands shall also finish it; And thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.

Illustrate: WW2 - Japan attacked Pearl Harbour, no air craft carriers. Some people have taken this as a lucky coincidence, but in reality, the Japanese did not care about aircraft because no one believed they were going to be significant. They were looking at the power of great battleships, when the war would be won on a plane that ships could literally not reach. Psalm 20:7 - some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Argue:

Apply:

Non-Christian - no good works

Public life - don’t be discouraged or enthused. Every kingdom will fall.

Church - not by cleverness or resources, but by God’s Spirit.

God will give us a new King.

Haggai 2:23 KJV

In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, Will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, And will make thee as a signet: For I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.

Explain:

Signet ring was a seal of authenticity. In Jeremiah 22:24, the signet ring had been removed from Jehoiachin as a sign of exile, but here Zerubbabel is given it as a sign that the messianic line has not been destroyed.

Although Zerubbabel had been faithful, that was not the reason for his success. He had worked hard and was a skilled leader, but that is not the point either. It was because God has chosen Him. The Lord of Armies keeps His promises.

Illustrate:

Argue:

Apply:

Good human rulers serve as God’s representatives. There is a place for Christians to rise up and serve in public office, and to demonstrate disagreement and correction in a loving, Christ-like way. But all human authority is delegated, and is not final.

Christian/non-Christian - There is only one Lord. How will you respond to Him?