1, 2. What symbolic upheaval was predicted for our times?
"In a matter of minutes, the shops and old buildings began to collapse like a house of cards." “People were terrified [...]. Many said it lasted a couple of minutes, but it seemed like an eternity to me. " This is how some of the survivors of an earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015 expressed themselves. If we had lived such a traumatic experience, we would hardly forget it.
However, at this very moment we are all experiencing another type of shock, one that does not affect just one city or one country. Jehovah is shaking all the nations of the world, and has been doing so for decades. This is what Haggai prophesied: “This is what Jehovah of armies says: 'Once more — shortly — I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry ground.'” - Haggai 2: 6.
3. What is the difference between this symbolic shaking and a literal earthquake?
Unlike a literal earthquake, which only brings destruction, the shaking that Haggai speaks of produces good results. Jehovah himself said: "I will shake all nations, and the valuable things of all nations will enter this house and I will fill it with glory" (Haggai 2: 7). What did this prophecy mean to those who lived in Haggai's time? And what does it mean for us today? In this article, we'll answer those questions and see how we can participate in shaking nations today.
AN ENCOURAGING MESSAGE ON AGEO DAYS
4. Why did Jehovah send the prophet Haggai?
Jehovah entrusted the prophet Haggai with an important mission. Let's see why. Haggai was probably one of those who returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon in 537 BC. Soon after arriving, those faithful servants laid the foundation for the temple, the house of Jehovah. --Ezra 3: 8, 10. But sadly, they later faced opposition, became discouraged, and abandoned the works (Ezra 4: 4; Haggai 1: 1, 2). So in 520 AD Jehovah commissioned Haggai to help them regain their enthusiasm and encourage them to finish the temple. --Ezra 6:14, 15. *
5. Why must Haggai's message have been so encouraging to God's people?
Haggai's message was intended to strengthen the Jews' faith in Jehovah. Courageously, the prophet conveyed these words to those who were discouraged: “Be strong, all of you people living on this earth,” affirms Jehovah, “and work. For I am with you, declares Jehovah of armies ”(Haggai 2: 4). The expression “Jehovah of armies” must have encouraged them a lot. If they wanted to be successful, the Jews had to trust in Jehovah, who has a huge army of angels.
6. What effects would the shaking predicted by Haggai have?
Jehovah commanded Haggai to tell the Jews that he was going to symbolically shake all the nations. This revelation assured those who had failed to build the temple that Jehovah was going to shake Persia, the world power that encompassed many nations at that time. What effect would that shake have? On the one hand, God's people would finish building the temple. On the other hand, even non-Jewish people would join them and worship Jehovah in the restored temple. Surely that message was very encouraging to the people of God (Zech. 8: 9).
A WORK THAT SHAKES THE EARTH IN OUR DAYS
7. What work are we helping to do in our day?
What does Haggai's prophecy mean to us today? Once again, Jehovah is shaking all nations, and this time we help him do it. Consider this: In 1914, Jehovah made Jesus Christ King of his heavenly Kingdom (Ps. 2: 6). For the leaders of the world, the establishment of that Kingdom was bad news. It meant that “the appointed times of the nations” had been fulfilled, that is, the time had ended when there would be no ruler to represent Jehovah. --Luke 21:24. In view of this, Jehovah's people have been telling people, especially since 1919, that the Kingdom is the only hope for mankind. This work of preaching "the good news of the Kingdom" has shaken the whole world (Matt. 24:14).
8. According to Psalm 2: 1-3, how have most nations reacted to this message?
How have people reacted to this message? Most have reacted negatively (read Psalm 2: 1-3). The nations are in an uproar. They refuse to accept the ruler Jehovah has appointed. They do not believe that the Kingdom message we preach is "good news." In fact, some governments have even banned preaching. And while many of the rulers of these nations claim to serve God, they do not want to give up their power and authority. As in the time of Jesus, today they oppose Jehovah's Anointed by attacking his loyal servants (Acts 4: 25-28).
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images: 1. Haggai conveys a message to the Jews who have stopped rebuilding the temple due to discouragement. 2. Brothers and sisters announce a speech by Joseph Rutherford with signs in their hands and hung from their shoulders. Some signs say, "Serve God and Christ the King." 3. With the help of “The Watchtower” number 2 of 2020, which talks about the Kingdom, a couple preaches by letter and by phone. 4. Jesus and his army of angels come from heaven to destroy God's enemies.
Are you participating to the fullest in the Earth-shaking work that is taking place today? (See paragraphs 7 and 8). *
9. How does Jehovah respond to the negative reaction of the nations?
How does Jehovah respond when he sees the negative reaction of the nations? Psalm 2: 10-12 says, “So now, kings, be insightful; accept correction, judges of the earth. Serve Jehovah with fear and rejoice with trembling. Honor the son; If not, God will be indignant and you will die on the way, because his fury flares up quickly. Happy all those who take refuge in him! ”. Jehovah is kind and gives these opponents a period of time to change their minds and accept his Kingdom. But time is running out. We live in the "last days" of this system (2 Tim. 3: 1; Isa. 61: 2). It is more urgent than ever for people to learn the truth and make the decision to side with Jehovah.
A POSITIVE REACTION TO SHOCK
10. According to Haggai 2: 7-9, what positive reaction would there be as a result of the shaking?
The symbolic shake that Haggai predicted has a positive effect on some people. He explains that, as a result of the shaking, “valuable things [that is, good-hearted people] from all nations” will come to worship Jehovah (read Haggai 2: 7-9). * Isaiah and Micah also prophesied that this would take place "in the last days" (Isa. 2: 2-4, note; Mic. 4: 1, 2, note).
11. How did a brother react when he first heard the Kingdom message?
Let's see how this exciting message shook a brother named Ken, who serves at world headquarters. About 40 years have passed since he first heard about the Kingdom, but he remembers it as if it were yesterday. He says: “When I heard the truth of God's Word, I was happy to know that we are living in the last days of this system. I realized that in order to receive God's approval and eternal life, I had to get out of this unstable world and stand firmly on Jehovah's side. I prayed and immediately did. I left this world behind and took refuge in the Kingdom of God, which cannot be shaken. "
12. How has Jehovah's spiritual temple been filled with glory during these last days?
It is evident that Jehovah has been blessing his people. During these last few days, we have seen that the number of people who adore him has increased in an impressive way. In 1914 we were only a few thousand. We are now more than eight million active servants of God, and each year millions more join us in celebrating the Memorial. In this way, “the valuable things of all nations” have filled the earthly courtyards of Jehovah's spiritual temple, which represents all that he has done so that we can worship him in the right way. The changes these people make when they put on the new personality also bring glory to Jehovah's name (Eph. 4: 22-24).
13. What other prophecies are fulfilling these exciting events? (See cover image).
These exciting events fulfill other prophecies as well, such as the one in Isaiah chapter 60. Verse 22 says, “The little one will become a thousand, and the insignificant one a mighty nation. I, Jehovah, will hasten it in due time. Because so many people are entering God's people, something wonderful happens: these “valuable things” bring with them different abilities and a willing spirit to join in the preaching of “the good news of the Kingdom”. As a result, Jehovah's people can take advantage of those abilities that Isaiah described as “the milk of nations” (Isa. 60: 5, 16). With the help of these valuable men and women, it is being preached in 240 countries and territories, and publications are being published in more than 1,000 languages.
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images: Brothers from different cultures happily participate in the preaching work. 1. A sister writes a letter. 2. A married couple preaches on the phone. 3. A brother writes on a laptop. 4. A mother helps her little girl write a letter.
God's servants around the world have been happily preaching the message of God's Kingdom to people. (See paragraph 13).
IT'S TIME TO MAKE A DECISION
14. What decision do people have to make now?
In this time of the end, the shaking of the nations is forcing all people to make a decision: will they support the Kingdom of God, or will they trust the governments of this world? Although Jehovah's servants obey the laws of the country in which they live, they remain completely neutral in political matters (Rom. 13: 1-7). They know that the Kingdom is the only solution to humanity's problems, and that Kingdom is not part of this world (John 18:36, 37).
15. What great test of loyalty is predicted in the book of Revelation?
The book of Revelation explains that in the last days the loyalty of God's people will be tested. This means that we will continue to face intense persecution and opposition. The governments of this world will demand that we worship them and will persecute those who refuse to support them (Rev. 13:12, 15). And “everyone — small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—” will be imposed “the obligation to be marked on the right hand or on the forehead” (Rev. 13:16). In ancient times, slaves were marked with a mark that identified who their master was. Similarly, in our day all people will be expected to have a symbolic mark on their hand or forehead. In other words, everyone will be expected to show by their actions and thoughts that they belong to and support political governments.
16. Why is it urgent that we strengthen our loyalty to Jehovah now?
And we, what will we do? Will we accept this symbolic mark and give our allegiance to political governments? Those who refuse to receive the mark will face difficulties and dangers. The book of Revelation goes on to say that no one can "buy or sell except the person who has the mark" (Rev. 13:17). But God's servants know what he will do to those with the mark (Rev. 14: 9, 10). Therefore, instead of wearing that mark, it will be as if they wrote on his hand: “Property of Jehovah” (Isa. 44: 5). Now is the time to ensure that our loyalty to Jehovah is firm. If it is, he will be happy to say that we belong to him.
THE FINAL SHOCK
17. What should we remember about Jehovah's patience?
Jehovah has shown great patience during these last days. He does not want anyone to be destroyed (2 Pet. 3: 9). He has given everyone the opportunity to repent and make the right decision. But your patience has a limit. Those who reject this opportunity will find themselves in the same situation as the pharaoh of Moses' time. Jehovah said to him: “I could have already reached out my hand to punish you and your people with a deadly disease, and you would have already disappeared from the earth. But I have let you live for this reason: to show you my power and to have my name proclaimed throughout the earth ”(Ex. 9:15, 16). Ultimately, all nations will have to know that Jehovah is the only true God (Ezek. 38:23). How will this happen?
18. a) What other kind of shaking is described in Haggai 2: 6, 20-22? b) How do we know that Haggai's words will have a future fulfillment?
Centuries after Haggai's death, the apostle Paul showed by divine inspiration that the words found in Haggai 2: 6, 20-22 would have a future fulfillment (read it). Paul wrote: "Now he has promised: 'Once again I will shake not only the earth, but also the sky.' Now, the expression 'once more' indicates that the things that are shaken - the things made - will be removed so that the things that are not shaken remain ”(Heb. 12:26, 27). Unlike the shaking mentioned in Haggai 2: 7, this shaking will mean the eternal destruction of those who, like Pharaoh, refuse to recognize Jehovah's right to rule.
19. What will not be shaken, and how do we know it?
What is it that will not be shaken or removed? Paul went on to say: "In view of the fact that we are going to receive a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us continue to receive undeserved kindness, so that through it we can give sacred service to God as he likes, with fear of God and deep respect" ( Heb 12:28). Indeed, when the final great shock is over, the only thing that will remain firm and standing will be the Kingdom of God (Ps. 110: 5, 6; Dan. 2:44).
20. What decision should people make, and how can we help them?
There is no time to lose. People must choose. Will they continue to support the lifestyle that this world fosters and will they be destroyed? Or will they make the necessary changes to live according to God's will and receive eternal life? (Heb. 12:25). Through preaching, we help people make this important decision. Therefore, let us continue to contribute to more valuable things being on the side of the Kingdom of God. And let us always keep in mind the words of our Lord Jesus: "The good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matt. 24:14).
WHAT HAVE THESE TEXTS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT THE SHAKING OF NATIONS?
Psalm 2: 1-3
Haggai 2: 7-9
Haggai 2: 20-22
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