RTW 2023

“For this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

Haggai 2:6-9

Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.’

Zechariah 1:3

• When reading the prophets, always remember where, when, and to whom!
• Reading chronologically helps the most with this!
• After the return of the exiles after their 70 years of captivity, Haggai is the first prophet to speak to the remnant that came home.
• Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi are the last prophets to speak in the Old Testament.
• After the decree of Cyrus, only about 50,000 returned home (we will deal with those that didn’t return in the book of Esther).
• Before Haggai’s time, the Jews had returned and laid the foundation for the Temple.
• Fifteen years later, they had not made any more progress.
• They became too busy building “kingdoms” of their own.
• The people were trying to make their lives comfortable and building homes for themselves.
• Haggai speaks to encourage the people to remember that they are the people of God, and His purposes must come first.
• The people had forgotten that they had come back for the very reason of rebuilding the Temple.
• It is easy to get too wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of life, that we forget our purpose as well.
• God’s Kingdom is our purpose…not the “kingdoms” of our own making.
• We The Kingdom – Child of Love (feat. Maverick City Music) (Live Album Release Concert)

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Do not seek kingdoms of the earth. Seek the Kingdom of God. Put His Kingdom first in everything in life!!