HAGGAI & ZECHARIAH: PROPHETS FOR THE END OF DAYS – PART 5

FULL MEETING WITH MIDRASH HERE

NOTE: THE TRANSCRIPT IS NOT THE SAME AS THE RECORDING.

HAGGAIS’ PROPHECY #4: ZERUBBABEL: YHVH’S SIGNET

The final prophecy YHVH gave to Haggai happened in the same night, Kislev 24 in 520 BC, in which he received the word that the 520 BC Jews were unclean and their sacrifices for 16 years had been unclean (Haggai 2:1-19). This realization led to them being cleansed by Yeshua’s blood of the Lamb, not by red heifer ashes since there were none. After that vision, later into the night, YHVH gave Haggai one more.

In the second vision, Zerubbabel became YHVH’s signet ring, His “signature ring”, as it were, the ring worn by every King which He pushed into warm wax to seal a document. YHVH did not give His own signet ring, His authority, to Zerubbabel because He had removed Zerubbabel’s grandfather from the throne of Judah and ended the line of Solomon in the process. Rather, YHVH made Zerubbabel as His signet ring. This distinction is important because, more than making Zerubbabel just another vassal governor of the Persian empire, YHVH made him into a prefiguration, a type and shadow, of Yeshua who would rebuild a better temple in the 7th Millennium with more glory than the second one had (Haggai 2:7-9) which Zerubbabel built with the Jews.

Haggai’s prophetic job was to help the Jews to 1) return to rebuilding the temple for Yeshua the Messiah to come be the sacrificial the Lamb of God in about 500 years and 2) to get the people cleaned up and ready for serving the temple they were rebuilding and 3) to prophesy about the connection between Zerubbabel and the Tribulation in the end of days.

Haggai 2:20  Yahweh’s word came the second time to Haggai in the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,
Haggai 2:21  “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, ‘I will shake the heavens and the earth.
Haggai 2:22  I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots, and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.

Let’s go in depth at verses 21 and 22. YHVH has once again abruptly jumped 2500 years into the future. The first time YHVH abruptly jumped that far into the future was in Haggai 2:6-7, and now, He has repeated this a second time in verses 21 and 22.

The terms, “shaking the heavens” is Tribulation speech that is used by Yeshua in Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:25 and Luke 21:26 and also in Revelation 6:12-13.

The overthrow of the nations will be accomplished by causing the nations to turn on one another which is what “everyone by the sword of his brother” means. This describes the Gog-Magog war, as well. We see already how the nations are turning on each other.

“The horses and their riders” is a reference to the exodus from Egypt which connects the Tribulation not only to Babylon, but to Egypt, as well.

The Tribulation summaries connect Zerubbabel the man as an active figure, a participator, in the Tribulation which I will explain later.

Now let’s look as Zerubbabel becomes as YHVH’s signet ring.

Haggai 2:23  In that day, says Yahweh of Armies, I will take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says Yahweh, ‘and will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you,’ says Yahweh of Armies.”

“In that day” is a phrase pointing to the final times 2500 years into the 520 BC Jews’ future. At the end of days, YHVH will use Zerubbabel for His purposes; YHVH chose him. YHVH used Zerubbabel for His purposes in 520 BC and He will use him again in the Tribulation, as we shall see.

YHVH had removed Judah’s authority from Zerubbabel’s grandfather. It was not possible for Zerubbabel to become a restored King of Judah but Zerubbabel was given a different, and better destiny than Jeconiah by YHVH Himself.

What happened to Jeconiah?

Jeremiah 22:24  “As I live,” says Yahweh, “though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet on my right hand, yet would I pluck you from there.

Jeremiah 22:30  Yahweh says, “Record this man as childless, a man who will not prosper in his days; for no more will a man of his offspring prosper, sitting on David’s throne, and ruling in Judah.”

YHVH had declared Jeconiah to be childless despite having a family, meaning Jeconiah was the last sovereign King in the line of Solomon forever and never would one of his descendants succeed him on the throne of Judah. Judah has never had a sovereign King since that time.  

If YHVH ended the line of Solomon at Jeconiah, then why did He choose to put Jeconiah’s grandson, Zerubbabel, back in rulership? He didn’t put Zerubbabel back on Solomon’s throne. Zerubbabel was not King. There is an important distinction here.

He was chosen by the Persian King Cyrus as a governor to the Southern House of Judah because YHVH could not remove the scepter from Judah until the Messiah comes (Genesis 49:10-11). There had to always be a Jew in leadership without being a King. And that is what happened for the next 500 years. The scepter of Judah passed to Yeshua at His resurrection. But Zerubbabel received a higher position than merely being a King of Judah. He was made into a messianic figure with a special mission given by YHVH having to do with seals and sealed scrolls.  

As a type and shadow, a prefiguration, of Yeshua our temple-building King, there is another connection we can make between Zerubbabel and Yeshua. Zerubbabel is called “My servant” in Haggai 2:23. Yeshua is also called God’s servant in the Messianic prophecies. 

Also, Zerubbabel was powerless in the way of Kings because he was not a King. This situation prefigured Messiah Yeshua’s powerlessness which was necessary for him to go to the Cross. So Zerubbabel pointed to both of Yeshua’s appearances on the earth.

So those are 2 additional parallels between Zerubbabel and Yeshua.

YHVH drew a clear connection between the man, the 520 BC Zerubbabel, and the events which were prophesied by Haggai (and then in Zechariah), and which would be further explained and detailed in the Book of Revelation around 90 AD. Almost 600 years.

The connection between the 520 BC man, Zerubbabel, and the end times Tribulation was made in 2 of Haggai’s prophecies in the same night.

Haggai 2:4  Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says Yahweh…

Haggai 2:6  For this is what Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;
Haggai 2:7  and I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of Armies.

And…

Haggai 2:21  “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, ‘I will shake the heavens and the earth.
Haggai 2:22  I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots, and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.

The connection is clearly made between the times of 520 BC and those yet to come 2500 years later. When YHVH repeats the same thing within just a few verses, it means it is certain.

Zerubbabel shows up in the Book of Revelation in 2 ways which I will now explain.

ZERUBBABEL AS THE STAMP ON THE SEALS OF REVELATION

I view Zerubbabel as the messenger throughout the Book of Revelation. In fact, there’s another metaphor. It could be Joe or Zerubbabel “as” the messenger. The messenger and the man are not separate things.

The first way Zerubbabel shows up in the Book of Revelation is through YHVH using what I have started calling “the Zerubbabel seal”. YHVH did not name the seal. That is what I have termed it to make it easier for me to explain the insight.

YHVH created a special physical seal from Zerubbabel which was unique to him. YHVH created that special signet ring to seal a special document associated with the prophecies that connect 520 BC Zerubbabel, the man, to the 90 AD Book of Revelation.

Haggai 2:23  In that day, says Yahweh of Armies, I will take you, Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says Yahweh, ‘and will make you as a signet, for I have chosen you,’ says Yahweh of Armies.”

The word “as” makes people think of this as a metaphor. The Zerubbabel seal is more than metaphorical; it is actual; a reality as real as anything. The use of the word “as” in verse 23 does not automatically make this a metaphor. Let me give you an example of a human being like tool. We might say that Joe was as, or like, a hammer meaning that what he does has usefulness when strength is needed.

The same goes for Zerubbabel if we follow the evidence to its conclusion. YHVH connected the 520 BC Zerubbabel to Yeshua and to the end of days making him into a useful instrument for the Kingdom. The Book of Revelation chapter 5 is where we come to understand how YHVH used the Zerubbabel seal. It was God Himself who showed everyone a scroll with 7 seals on which only the Lion of Judah was worthy to open.

But how we get to chapter 5 starts in Revelation 1:1 wherein we see 3 persons: God the Father, Yeshua Messiah and one called “angel” (messenger from now on) who is authorized to prophesy to John on behalf of Yeshua Messiah.

Revelation 1:1  This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John…

There is Yeshua Messiah, God and a messenger. The message was sent through Yeshua and made known to John through the messenger who I was Zerubbabel because the seal which was made to represent him are, I believe, the 7 seals on the scroll in Revelation 5:1.

Revelation 5:1  I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals.

The one on the throne made the scroll visible to others in the throne room. It was written inside and outside to indicate transparency of its contents to those who are able to understand what the scroll contains.

Seven seals were in used in the ancient Near East when the document was very important like a will or a contract between parties, particularly between governments as this one was. Who are the governments involved in this contract? YHVH’s Heavenly Kingdom and earthly Babylon. Only Yeshua can open it because He overcame Babylon!

Matthew 28:18  Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Revelation 5:4  And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look in it.
Revelation 5:5  One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals.”

This is the only place in scripture where the seals of a document carry as great importance and meaning as the document itself. Why is this? It because of who it represents from Haggai 2:23 – Zerubbabel! YHVH did not make a special Zerubbabel signet ring and then never used it!

ZERUBBABEL THE BROTHER

Given what I just now explained, which is that YHVH used the Zerubbabel seal to seal the scroll with 7 seals which John saw, I submit this to you, also. The one who is a “brother” to John in Revelation 22 is Zerubbabel.

Revelation 22:6  He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel [messenger] to show to his [YHVH’s] bondservants the things which must happen soon.”
Revelation 22:7  “Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:8  Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.
Revelation 22:9  He said to me, “See you don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

This messenger is a human being and bondservant to YHVH!

Revelation 22:10  He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

The messenger came to explain the Tribulation to the bondservants of YHVH. Who is a more qualified messenger than Zerubbabel? It makes sense that the brother was Zerubbabel if it was his unique seal that YHVH used 7 times to seal this important contract.

Let’s go to Revelation 1:1.

Revelation 1:1  A Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to declare to His servants things which must shortly come to pass. And He signified it by sending His angel to His servant John…

Now let’s compare this to Haggai 2:23 in the Greek Septuagint. Haggai 2 has 24 verses in the Septuagint and 23 in the Masoretic, or King James, version.

Haggai 2:23  In that day, says Jehovah of Hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel, My servant, the son of Shealtiel, says Jehovah, and will make you like a signet; for I have chosen you, says Jehovah of Hosts.

Do you see the word “signified” in Revelation 1:1 and the word “signet” in Haggai 2:23? In English, they have the same beginning – ‘sig’.

This makes one think that there may be a shared root in the Greek. It has to be seen in the Greek because Revelation is a Greek text which means we must look at the Septuagint Greek text for Haggai 2:23.

In the Greek, these 2 words do not share a root or any other similarity. They are completely different words.

In Haggai 2:23, the Greek word for “signet” is ‘sphragis’, Strong’s G4973, meaning a “stamp” and by extension, then, a wax “seal” also translated as “signet”. In Revelation 1:1 the word for “signified” is the Greek word ‘semaino’, Strong’s G4591.

These appear to be 2 totally different words yet they are translated the same way from Greek to English. Why? It is because, it turns out, that they are actually related. Here’s how, from the answer I found online: The primary difference between ‘sphragis’ and ‘semaino’ is that ‘sphragis’ (from Haggai 2:23) is a noun meaning a physical “seal” or stamp of ownership, authority and identity, while ‘semaino’ (in Revelation 1:1) is a verb meaning “to signify, communicate, or give a sign”. Both relate to marks/stamps/seals and communication in Ancient Greek.

In Haggai 2:23, YHVH said He would make of Zerubbabel a ‘sphragis’ (noun), a physical mark, stamp or seal. In Revelation 1:1, the messenger begins to ‘semaino’ (verb), to communicate the vision to John, part of which has to do with the information that is held under the ‘sphragis’ physical “Zerubbabel seals”. On that scroll is the only place where YHVH could have physically used Zerubbabel in the end times as a seal. And it only in the Book of Revelation where Zerubbabel could ‘semaino’d’, or testified or communicated what was under the seals and also to communicate the entire vision containing the trumpets, bowls, and woes, and everything else as well.

Revelation 1:1 has always struck me as implying a special relationship between God and Yeshua Messiah with the messenger. In Revelation, Yeshua and His messenger seem to be companions who both witnessed what happened to Jerusalem from 520 BC to the 1^st century AD. Who better to be Yeshua’s companion than Zerubbabel who is His own prefiguration?

It now makes sense that there is a special relationship between YHVH, God the Father and God the Son, with Zerubbabel. YHVH gave Zerubbabel special purpose which was to use him to ‘sphragis’ or seal the scroll of Revelation 5 with 7 seals and then to ‘semaino’, testify or communicate with John.  Zerubbabel was not a metaphor at all. He was YHVH’s instrument.  

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

There is one more item regarding Zerubbabel. His name means “seed of Babylon”. Genesis 22:17 shows us how a singular noun can be used for an individual or a collective congregation of YHVH depending on context.

Genesis 22:16  …“I have sworn by myself, says Yahweh, because you have done this thing [Abraham was giving his only son, Isaac, on the altar], and have not withheld your son, your only son,
Genesis 22:17  that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your seed [collective singular, later all Israel] greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your offspring [personal singular, Yeshua] will possess the gate of his enemies.

We must consider that Zerubbabel’s singular personal name with the Hebrew word ‘zera’ in it may also be the name of God’s collective people who were born and live in Babylon. We are the offspring of Abraham scattered as seed in Babylon.

Amos 9:8  Behold, the eyes of the Lord Yahweh are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the surface of the earth; except that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” says Yahweh.
Amos 9:9  “For, behold, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations, as grain is sifted in a sieve, yet not the least kernel will fall on the earth.

Zechariah 10:9  I will sow them among the peoples; and they will remember me in far countries; and they will live with their children, and will return.

We were, like Zerubbabel, born in Babylon. Literally, all Israel became the “seed” of Babylon by no choice and the seed of Abraham by choice, and it will be from Babylon that we will be released just as Zerubbabel and the other 520 BC Jews were who also were the seed of Abraham at that time.

HOW THE PROPHECIES PERTAIN TO THE END TIMES

The Israeli Jews believe the Messianic prophecies are all about them. The prophecies regard their “world to come” and the 3rd temple and their human messiah. But the prophecies are not about the Jews at all. The prophecies are all about Abraham and how YHVH will fulfill all of His promises to Abraham by calling people to accept Yeshua and become Abraham’s offspring, his “seed”.

The problem in political Zionism is its doctrine which says the Jews are still in covenant with Abraham and they are God’s chosen people. They are not in covenant with Abraham, as I have said many times, because they killed the Promised Son who was their connection to the Abrahamic covenant. Death severs all ties! That makes them no longer God’s chosen people from the time of the crucifixion to now.

Since the Jews believe all the messianic prophecies are about them, they think they are about to build Ezekiel’s temple which they call the “3rd temple”. This deception is, I believe, exactly why YHVH made the 520 BC Zerubbabel into His physical seal to seal a scroll 7 times that he could then be called upon by YHVH to explain to John about the Tribulation. Zerubbabel delivered the vision for us here at the end of days so YHVH’s elect will not be deceived!

Haggai revealed the truth about a people who are unclean when they return from Babylon. That’s the 520 BC Jews. Today’s Jews are still in Babylon (as all of us still are) even while they live in the geographic real estate promised to Abraham’s descendants. They know they are unclean which is why they scramble for a red heifer’s ashes rather than seeking the blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20 and Revelation 13:8).

Before we move on, I want also to explain that Zerubbabel was a Jew speaking to another Jew – John – and Zerubbabel was an eyewitness to the generation of the Jews who rebuilt the second temple who then became a messenger to show John what the Jews would do in the end of days. The Book of Revelation revolves around 2 things which were present in Zerubbabel’s 520 BC days and which are still present in our time: a beast empire and a temple of YHVH that needs to be built. The testimony of Zerubbabel in Revelation shows the difference between the more important of those 2 things: YHVH’s temple. The Tribulation is about the merging of the beast empire with a temple which people will believe is God’s temple. Zerubbabel’s message to John, and us, is for us to not be deceived this!

ONE MORE ITEM

Before we end the Book of Haggai study, I want to address one more item which I should not have left unaddressed until now. Let’s consider who it is that gave Haggai his prophecies. What is the identity of “YHVH of Hosts”. Who is this, exactly?

About 245 times from Exodus to Revelation, the scripture used the phrases “LORD of hosts”, YHVH of hosts”, “God of hosts”, “commander of YHVH’s army”, “hosts of YHVH, and some others. Who are all these phrases a reference to?

Why does YHVH use this phrase? It is because we need to know that every prophecy wherein there is “great shaking”, the overthrowing of Kingdoms and heathen nations and the destruction of armies has to do with YHVH doing battle. He is not the world’s merciful benefactor during these times. At least not for the unrepentant. Instead, He is the world’s destroyer, the destroyer of Babylon and all who reject His salvation. Better make your choice which side you want to be on before He rides in for the battle!

He is the commander of all of His armies of Heaven and earth which include the angelic armies and the coming 144,000 warriors of Israel. His final appellation of Himself and His identity is when He comes riding with His Name on His thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).

This commander who showed up to deliver His people from Egypt, spoke in person to Joshua and Samuel and who call Himself all of those phrases is none other than Yeshua Himself. His great name is YHVH. LORD of hosts is just one of His many “hats” because He is also Father to His people, Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The Prince of Peace, Messiah, Savior and Redeemer.

SUMMARY

We have learned some new things. Zerubbabel was a type and shadow of the Kingship of Yeshua, our King, who will rebuild the temple, and he was made to be as YHVH’s signet ring, the authority under which the Tribulation will commence in YHVH’s timing.

YHVH connected Zerubbabel to the Tribulation by speaking directly to him through Haggai about the Tribulation.

The first of the punishments of the Tribulation begin with a scroll with 7 seals which I believe are the seal that represents Zerubbabel.

His name can be used as a collective singular appellation for all of YHVH’s people who come out of Babylon as being the seed of Abraham who were also the “seed of Babylon like the Jews who came out of Babylon were also “seed of Abraham” and “seed of Babylon”.