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WHEN SPIRIT "GRAIN" FROM GOD BEARS FRUIT. (The prophecy of God through Haggai). Jehovah God spoke to the Jews through the prophet Haggai concerning their unclean spiritual condition at that time. He clearly proved to them that they knew the distinction between what was clean holy flesh "in the skirt of his garment" (i.e. a holy person), and what was physically unclean according to the Mosaic Law. (Haggai 2:12,13). But using this as a metaphor, Jehovah said: "'That is how this people is, and that is how this nation is before Me,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'and that is how all the work of their hands is, and whatever they present there" (at His temple): "It is unclean.'" (2:14).
That is why Jehovah told them to review what had
happened to them until now: "'...before there was the placing of a stone
upon a stone in the temple of Jehovah… I struck you people with scorching and
with mildew and with hail, even all the work of your hands" but still
"there was no one with you turning to Me,'" And even
"'from the day that the foundation of the temple of Jehovah was laid; set your
heart on this: Is there as yet the seed in the grain pit? And as yet, the
vine and the fig tree and the pomegranate tree and the olive tree
"From this day": From the time when people beloved by God are producing works befitting repentance and offering spirit sacrifices to Him through the foundation of The Christ will the Spirit "seed" of God (His "grain") bear fruit in them so that they are acceptable to Him. (Matt 3:8. Acts 26:20). "In that day" Jehovah says He "will shake heaven and earth, sea and land, I will shake all nations". The Christ Michael (of the lineage of Zerubbabel) is chosen by God as the "seal*ring" through whom He will confirm the overthrow of kingdoms of the nations, "each shall fall by the sword of their comrades." This shaking of the nations will take place among Jews and Gentiles. (2:6 NEB. 2:21-23 NWT & NEB). As to the secret words of God, they are only kept hidden or sealed* until such time as they are intended to be understood and fulfilled. (See Dan 12:4 & 9. Rev 5:1. Isaiah 29:11). Faithful anointed sons of God are sealed* by Holy Spirit to signify they are God's possession. (See Eph 1:13,14. 4:30. 2 Cor 1:21,22). It was foretold that Jesus Christ the Messiah would "imprint a seal* upon vision and prophet" to confirm they are from Jehovah and are genuine. (Dan 9:24). The "blessing" that Jehovah will bestow is a spirit awakening, and is not only in respect of the Gentiles, but of many natural born Jews also. (Haggai 2:19). They will then be able to achieve the spiritual condition required to approach the anointed "temple" class of God in heaven to offer their spirit sacrifices to Him through His Christ. (1 Cor 3:16,17). Two hundred years before this prophecy through Haggai, Jehovah prophesied through the prophet Isaiah, saying: ""And to Zion the Repurchaser will certainly come, and to those turning from transgression in Jacob," is the utterance of Jehovah." And as for Me, this is My covenant with them," Jehovah has said."". (Isaiah 59:20,21). Or as Paul later wrote: "The deliverer will come out of Zion and turn away unGodly practices from Jacob. And this is the covenant on My part with them, when I take their sins away." (Rom 11:26,27). (Cont. on Page 17/9/83). 12/9/83. |
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