Haggai Chapter Two

 (Now) Weekly From the Prophets

1 - In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month (2nd quarter moon, seventh and last day of the Feast of Tabernacles) the word of the Lord came to Haggai the prophet: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house as it was in its former glory? How do you see it now? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Build, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the covenant I made with you when I led you out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

     6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. (A little while to Him?) 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’” (They were discouraged this new temple would be less magnificent than the first? But God is showing them a glimmer of the final temple.. the full destiny of a temple in Jerusalem?)

     10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, 11 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: 12 ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.” 13 Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” 14 Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. 15 Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord, 16 how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 Struck were all the products of your toil with blight and mildew and hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord.18 Consider from this day onward, from this twenty-fourth day of this ninth month. Since the day the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid, consider: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”

      20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel [his name means “begotten in Babylon” he led the people home, so used as a type of Christ, like some kings are used as types of the adversary called Satan, and like David of Christ] my servant, the son of Shealtiel [this name means “I have asked of God” - ask, seek, knock] declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring [chotham - a seal] for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.” (Jesus, our seal?)

€XpLoR!n9 ReVeLaTion 3 14-22

        WeeKly BooK oF Revelation

                paraphrased study                     

14 -  “And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen - the faithful and true witness - the beginning [arché - beginning, origin, the initial starting point, what comes first and therefore is chief and foremost, has the priority because ahead of the rest, preeminent, first] of God's creation.

     15 I know your works:, you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and are

neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth.17 For you say, I am rich, and prosperous. And I need nothing. Not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so you may be rich. And white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of nakedness may not be seen, and eye salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. So be zealous (find your enthusiasm) and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Whoever hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to them and commune with them, and they with me. 21 The one who overcomes/is victorious, I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever who has an ear, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

                         ~*~

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See Intro - This Year’s Revelation Study

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€XpLoR!n9 ReVeLaTion 3 7-13

        WeeKly BooK oF Revelation

                paraphrased study

7 - “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David. Who opens and no one will shut. Who shuts and no one opens. (So if they open or shut it’s his choice.) 8 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power [dýnamis - power, might, strength, ability] and yet you have kept my word and you have not denied my name. 9 Look, I will make those of the assembly of Satan who declare themselves as true but are not, but lie, behold, I will make them come and bow down before you, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance - I will keep [téreó - watch over, guard] you from the hour of trial/testing that is coming upon the whole world - to try those who dwell upon earth. 11 I come quickly [tachu - quickly, speedily]. Hold fast what you have. So no one may seize your crown. (“Of Life” not metal!) 12 The one who conquers, I will make to be a pillar in the temple of my God. And they shall not go out (of the full, satisfied blessed state) any more. I will write upon them the name of my God, and the name of His city, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from Him out of heaven, and my own new name. (..Like a script..? Written on our heart and mind. Forever. Unless we are extremely dumb:) 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” [To be a pillar! 😮] 

     Philadelphia (of Love) - from phílos - loving friend, and adelphós - a brother – properly, brotherly love (true affection for your fellow person).]

                         ~*~

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Haggai Chapter One

 (Now) Weekly From the Prophets

      🍃📜🍃🏕️ 🍃📜🍃

The Book of the Prophet Haggai - is two chapters, and is third from the last book of the Old/Ancient Testament.

     Background (we last studied Daniel) — 586bc Nebuchadnezzar sacked Jerusalem, carried many off to Babylon.. Babylon later falls to Persia.

    Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son succeeded him. He was the last Babylonian king, and was the “writing on the wall” king. He was followed by Darius the Mede (of Media-Persia) ..He was otherwise known as Nabonidus? He “received the kingdom” (under?) Cyrus the Great of Persia (remember how Persia “rose higher”?) Darius the Mede ruled only two years - Darius and Cyrus ruled concurrently, and Darius was likely appointed viceroy over Babylon by his nephew, King Cyrus who ruled from 550bc to 538bc. Darius (the Mede) promoted Daniel (the prophet) to a high position and then was tricked into casting him into the lions’ den. When he saw Daniel was unhurt, Darius decreed “people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God who endures forever. His kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end!” And as viceroy he was, and had been, favorable to Israel.

     Cyrus had decreed all Israel in all his kingdom could, and should go home, and some/many did, led by Zerubbabel (who was a descendent of King David) and they began to “rebuild the TEMPLE” (and, side note: at the time of Cyrus’ proclamation, the massive empire included once again Assyria where the northern tribes had been carried off into captivity). [This proclamation is not the one that began the countdown prophesied by Daniel called “70 weeks”.]

     Adapted from commentary:

The name Haggai means "my feast" perhaps meaning in anticipation of the joyous return from exile. He was likely one of the Jewish exiles (of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi) who returned to the land of Israel under Zerubbabel, civil head of Isreal during the return, with Joshua the high priest. It was 536 BCE, when Cyrus (as prophecied in Isa 44:28 and 45:1) granted Israel their freedom, and supplied them with what they needed for restoring the temple (2Ch 36:23; Ezr 1:1; 2:2). The work of rebuilding went on under Cyrus and his successor Cambyses (called Ahasuerus in Ezr 4:6).

     Haggai Chapter One

1:1 - In the second year of King Darius — this is Darius the Great, not Darius the Mede who co-ruled for two years. Some time has passed, this Darius (of Persia) is listed as third after Cyrus. — In the second year of Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month [on the new moon, always a festival with a community “with God” meal] the word (message) of the Lord/Yhvh came to Haggai the prophet, to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the high priest, son of Jehozadak: 2 “Thus says Yhvh of hosts: It’s said by the people, the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” 3 And continued the word to Haggai, 4 “Is it a time for you to dwell in your nicely built houses, while mine lies in ruins? 5 Now, therefore, says Yhvh of hosts - Consider your ways. 6 You have sown much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but you are not warm, and the workers wages go as into a bag with holes.”

     (In other words, oh nation, where are you going wrong?)

     7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be remembered, says the Lord. 9 You looked for much, but behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, it blew away. Why? It is because of my house. It lies in ruins, and all are busy with only their own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. 11 Summoned is a drought on the land and hills, and on the grain, the new wine, upon the oil, and what the earth brings forth, upon man and upon beast, and upon all your labors.” (God iS life, and every blessing.)

     12 Then Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of Yhvh their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent. And the people remembered and revered Yhvh. 13 Then Haggai, messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, “I am with you, says Yhvh.” 14 And he stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the high priest, son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began work on the house of Yhvh, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the month, of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius called the Great.

Fat Man and Little Boy

Fat Man and Little Boy

Were dancing in the sky

Which rolled up like a scroll

With lightning on the fly.

But “the seals” are veiled

By their fullness of detail.

Seal Six was dancing in the sky

Beginning in days gone by,

Then held in check! 

Where we still seem to be,

At Revelation seven, verse 1 and 3.

€XpLoR!n9 ReVeLaTion 3 1-6

        WeeKly BooK oF Revelation

1 - And to the angel of the church in Sardis write - These things says the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars - “I know your works. You are known for being alive, but you’re dead.” (Outwardly look okay, but..) 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to fall off, for I have not found your works to be complete in the sight of my God.” (You are missing the target! Wake up!) 3 “Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent [metanoeó - turn, change after (being with)]. If you don’t wake up, I’ll come like a thief, and, you won’t know at what hour. 4 Yet you have still a few among you, who have not soiled their garments.” (No radiance if not following the way of it!) “And they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.” (The way is the way of grace, God’s energizing and peaceful POWER. Our part is threefold: to believe, present our self to him “as a living sacrifice” and “rest in him”. And this is summed up as “love God”. Genuinely and heartfelt.) 5 “The one who conquers [nikáō - from níkē - victory, properly, conquer, overcome, to carry off the victory, come off victorious, the verb implies a battle] will be clothed [periballó - to throw around, put on, from peri - around, and ballo - to throw, cast, toss, pour, be cloaked] in white [leukos - light, bright, radiant] and I will not erase their name out of the book of life. I will confess their name before my Father and before his angels. [Homologeó - confess, speak the same, agree, publicly declare, a Hebraism, I praise, celebrate, from homou - together, and lego - to voice the same conclusion, speak the same thing, be in full agreement, align with, endorse] [their name - onoma -  a name, authority, cause, character, fame, reputation — “According to Hebrew notions, a name is inseparable from the person to whom it belongs, i.e. it is something of his essence. Therefore, to God, it is especially sacred" - adapted from Souter.] 6 Whoever has an ear, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

                         ~*~

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Daniel 12 Study

Paraphrased And Condensed With 

    Suggested Interpretation

(Summation of the Matter) 1 “At that time” the angel [like a man in linen] continued, “the great prince Michael, who has the watch over your people, will stand up. And there will be a time of trouble (began with a pale horse ride?) such as there hasn’t been since there was a nation. Even to the time when your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name can be found written in the book. 2 (When?) Many of those who sleep in the dust of earth shall awaken, some to enduring life, and some to shame and of long duration contempt [deraon - aversion, abhorrence]. (Jn.5:28,29) 3 And those who are wise will shine like the radiance of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness [tsadeq or tsadoq - just or righteous, from tsedeq - rightness, righteousness, what is right], like the stars forever [olam - long duration, antiquity, futurity] and ever [ad - perpetuity, from adah - adorn, pass on, advance].

     4 But you, Daniel, close the book and seal it, until the time of the end [qets, pronounced kates - end, course, farthest border, highest peak, limit]. Many shall run-to-and-fro [shuwt - about, go quickly] and knowledge shall increase [rabah - multiply].”

     5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on one side of the stream and one on the other side of the stream. 6 And one of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “Until when (for how long?) shall be the end [limit, fulfillment] of these wonders [pele - wonders, extraordinary, hard to be understood]?” 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream. He raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven. And he swore by he who lives forever that it would be for a time [moed - appointed time] times, and half a time. When the power [yad - hand, reach (influence?)] of the holy [qodesh - apartness, sacred] people is spent/finished and sundered, coming to an end, then all these things will be completed. (Rev.13:5-7!)

     8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what will be the outcome of all this?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified [barar - purified, selected, purged, polished] and made white [laban - brick, white] and be refined [tsaraph - smelted, refined, tested]. But the wicked shall act wickedly. None of the wicked shall understand [bin - discern] but those who are wise shall understand [bin - discern].

     11 And (it is/will be) days 1,290, from the time is taken away [sur - turned aside, removed] (the) perpetual [tamid - (the) continual] and is set up [nathan - give, put, set] (the) abomination [shiqquts - detested thing, abomination] (of) desolation [shamem - (the) desolate, apalling, devoid, barren, ruination]. [[From the time the perpetual (sacrifices/of prayers?) is taken away/removed (Lk.19:41,44?) and the (including final) abomination that desolates is set up (the final desolation upon the human temple meant for God’s Spirit/Presence?) shall be 1,290 days - which is 3.5 hebrew years, plus 30 days. Between the taking away and the setting up.]]

     12 Blessed (it is) [esher - happiness, blessedness] to wait [chakah - to wait, awaiting] and arrive/come to the day/days 1,335. 13 But go your way Daniel. You shall rest and shall arise into your allotted place at the end of days/completion.” (1,290 + 45days = day 1,335?)

What I get from the Book of Daniel, concerning prophecy for today, is - ignoring Rev.7:1,3 where the world has been for some time - but is hidden, veiled, sealed - pun intended - by “the seals” being described as their full and complete effects, from their first occassion to their very last. See? In this way, very last day conditions are portrayed at the beginning of the vision. Hiding much of the vision.

     But.. we can’t ignore Rev.7:1,3! Because everything else rests on it. For (surely?) it will be interrupted in some way, means or fashion. A crises. A consolidating of power. Then (surely?) comes the much lauded seven year treaty - not that it’s ratified to last seven years (logically) but that it shall, alas, only last seven years. It is of course broken in the middle against Israel when their perpetual (sacrifices, and, or place of?) is taken away, turned aside, stopped.. Lk.19:41,44 - “Oh Jerusalem!” - and anything in an imperfect state - “Not one stone, Jerusalem, will be left in you upon another..” (Hello?)

     And then 3.5 hebrew years of 360 days, plus 30 days (a hebrew leap year?) later -> shall be set up a final abomination (appalling and abhorrent thing - imperfection/straying is an abyss of potential, something) which desolates. And happy the one/those who wait, and come to, day/the days 1,335. Which is 45 days later?

✌🏼☮️🕊️

   …There’ll be a lot of normalcy.. try to be in all ways prepared..?

   The war is east and west.. gog and magog? ..”clay and iron won’t really cleave”.. the iron/bronze settled with the faith, but the faith has “fallen away” Dn.7:7,19, Rev.13:1.. As far as wickedness, the dove and vulture (the iron and the clay) ..be gathered as wheat, or gathered as tare (to armageddon).. “the field is the world” not just the churches.. we should be as (discreet?) watchmen on the walls.. if folks can see the truth of prophecy they will see the truth of Jesus.. who “will draw all” Jn.12:32. 1Cor.3:16.