The Lord is speaking in this closing verse, of an event very much in the future, when Jesus would be born. And people would discover that he, Zerubbabel, was in the lineage of the Saviour of the world. What a privilege! The signet ring was a sign of high authority.

Many of us have been in meetings when a prophetic word is given to a specific person. Sometimes those people are embarrassed, often because of their own reactions. But also because of the message the prophet delivers. It takes discernment for people who give prophetic words to do so correctly!

Many in our world today are praying for a turning in the world situation. Many prophets are declaring that we are on the edge of something big when many people in high positions who have deceived the public will be brought to account. There are conflicting news stories out there.

Certain dates can remind us of life changing days. This prophetic word from the Lord, brought by Haggai, is noted on a specific date, which they were to remember as the day they had a change of heart. The equivalent date in line with our calendar is December 18th 520BC.

How often have we thought that we could not afford to give much to God because we had this or that to pay this month? We know He will understand, because He is a loving forgiving Lord. That is true, but He wants to be our very best friend too.

God did something that only He could do. He diminished their provisions, and suddenly they were all realising that when they thought they had enough grain left for the winter, they had only half what they expected. The same with their wine production! This was a recurring theme for God.

Yesterday, we saw that defilement spreads easily in the physical world. And today we can understand that it does in spiritual things too. The people had become defiled because of their neglect of the temple. Just attending services did not purify them any more than touching something blessed brought blessing.

Haggai was speaking to the priests of his day, not because he needed the answers, but to see if they could understand the message. Would you ask a priest or pastor for a spiritual answer to a query that you have? Are your church leaders approachable to their church members?

Consecration does not rub off! Because you mix with church attending friends, does not mean you will pass the righteousness test when trying to get into heaven. Even attending church every week of your life does not guarantee a place in Heaven. Only a personal relationship with Jesus can do that.

Not one of us is perfect. We are all defiled in one way or another. Sometimes that defilement is from our own wrong doings. Sometimes it can be inherited, and sometimes it is the fault of other people for forcing us to do something we never would choose to do.