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Sunday, December 14, 2014

Make A Joyful Noise – You Deserve My Praise!

Devotional Reading: 1 Kings 8:54-62 Background Scripture: Psalm 95

Rev. Michael J. Hudgins
Sunday, December 14, 2014

A Call to Worship and Obedience

“The psalmist here, as often elsewhere, stirs up himself and others to praise God; for it is a duty which ought to be performed with the most lively affections, and which we have great need to be excited to, being very often backward to it and cold in it.”1


Psalm 95:1-7 King James Version (KJV)

The Lord is our rock!

How God is to be praised
1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
With holy joy and delight in him. The praising song must be a joyful noise
He is our Saviour, and the author of our blessedness. He is here called the rock of our salvation (Ps. 95:1), not only the founder, but the very foundation, of that work of wonder, on whom it is built. That rock is Christ; to him therefore we must sing our songs of praises, to him that sits upon the throne and to the Lamb.2


2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Spiritual joy is the heart and soul of thankful praise. It is the will of God (such is the condescension of his grace) that when we give glory to him as a being infinitely perfect and blessed we should, at the same time, rejoice in him as our Father and King, and a God in covenant with us.


The Lord is our King!


And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.




I don't need no rocks to cry out for me!!!!








God did not want His people to have a king over them, as the nations that did not know God. God was their King and wanted the people to let Him lead them. But when they became dissatisfied and wanted a king, God let them have one. Do we remember the name of the first king who ruled over the Children of Israel?
Much has happened since the days of that first king – the people became divided and formed two kingdoms, called Judah and Israel. They had had many kings since the days of Saul; some of the kings were good and turned the hearts of the people to the Lord and helped them worship Him. Others were bad and led the people to worship idols instead of worshiping the true God.3






3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
“Because he is a great God, and sovereign Lord of all. He is great, and therefore greatly to be praised. He is infinite and immense, and has all perfection in himself.
He has great power: He is a great King above all gods, above all deputed deities, all magistrates, to whom he said, You are gods (he manages them all, and serves his own purposes by them, and to him they are all accountable), above all counterfeit deities, all pretenders, all usurpers; he can do that which none of them can do; he can, and will, famish and vanquish them all.
He has great possessions. This lower world is here particularly specified. We reckon those great men who have large territories, which they call their own against all the world, which yet are a very inconsiderable part of the universe: how great then is that God whose the whole earth is, and the fulness thereof, not only under whose feet it is, as he has an incontestable dominion over all the creatures and a propriety in them, but in whose hand it is, as he has the actual directing and disposing of all.”4

The Lord is our Sovereign!

4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
“even the deep places of the earth, which are out of our sight, subterraneous springs and mines, are in his hand; and the height of the hills which are out of our reach, whatever grows or feeds upon them, is his also. This may be taken figuratively: the meanest of the children of men, who are as the low places of the earth, are not beneath his cognizance; and the greatest, who are as the strength of the hills, are not above his control. Whatever strength is in any creature it is derived from God and employed for him.”5


5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
“The sea is his, and all that is in it (the waves fulfil his word); it is his, for he made it, gathered its waters and fixed its shores; the dry land, though given to the children of men, is his too, for he still reserved the property to himself; it is his, for his hands formed it, when his word made the dry land appear.
His being the Creator of all makes him, without dispute, the owner of all. This being a gospel psalm, we may very well suppose that it is the Lord Jesus whom we are here taught to praise. He is a great God; the mighty God is one of his titles, and God over all, blessed for evermore.
As Mediator, he is a great King above all gods; by him kings reign; and angels, principalities, and powers, are subject to him; by him, as the eternal Word, all things were made (John 1:3), and it was fit he should be the restorer and reconciler of all who was the Creator of all, Col. 1:16, 20.
To him all power is given both in heaven and in earth, and into his hand all things are delivered. It is he that sets one foot on the sea and the other on the earth, as sovereign Lord of both (Rev. 10:2), and therefore to him we must sing our songs of praise, and before him we must worship and bow down.”6




The Lord is our Creator!

With humble reverence, and a holy awe of him
6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
“Let us worship, and bow down, and kneel before him, as becomes those who know what an infinite distance there is between us and God, how much we are in danger of his wrath and in need of his mercy.” Though bodily exercise, alone, profits little, yet certainly it is our duty to glorify God with our bodies by the outward expressions of reverence, seriousness, and humility, in the duties of religious worship.
He is our Creator, and the author of our being; we must kneel before the Lord our Maker. Idolaters kneel before gods which they themselves made; we kneel before a God who made us and all the world and who is therefore our rightful proprietor; for his we are, and not our own.”7


The Lord is Our God!

7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
Because he is our God, not only has a dominion over us, as he has over all the creatures, but stands in special relation to us: He is our God, and therefore it is expected we should praise him; who will, if we do not? What else did he make us for but that we should be to him for a name and a praise?

“We must praise God with our voice; we must speak forth, sing forth, his praises out of the abundance of a heart filled with love, and joy, and thankfulness—Sing to the Lord; make a noise, a joyful noise to him, with psalms—as those who are ourselves much affected with his greatness and goodness, are forward to own ourselves so, are desirous to be more and more affected therewith, and would willingly be instrumental to kindle and inflame the same pious and devout affection in others also.

We must praise God in concert, in the solemn assemblies: “Come, let us sing; let us join in singing to the Lord; not others without me, nor I alone, but others with me. Let us come together before his presence, in the courts of his house, where his people are wont to attend him and to expect his manifestations of himself.” Whenever we come into God’s presence we must come with thanksgiving that we are admitted to such a favour; and, whenever we have thanks to give, we must come before God’s presence, set ourselves before him, and present ourselves to him in the ordinances which he has appointed.”8

We are therefore his, under all possible obligations: We are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. All the children of men are so; they are fed and led by his Providence, which cares for them, and conducts them, as the shepherd the sheep. We must praise him, not only because he made us, but because he preserves and maintains us, and our breath and ways are in his hand. All the church’s children are in a special manner so; Israel are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand; and therefore he demands their homage in a special manner.

Psalm 100 King James Version (KJV)

100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Singing confuses the enemy – Singing Wins The Battle!


2 Chronicles 20:20-22 King James Version

20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.


Psalm 149 King James Version (KJV)

1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.




1Matthew Henry Commentary
2Matthew Henry Commentary
3http://www.apostolicfaithweca.org/content/battle-won-singing
4Matthew Henry Commentary
5Matthew Henry Commentary
6Matthew Henry Commentary
7Matthew Henry Commentary
8Matthew Henry Commentary
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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Good News Brings Rejoicing

Good News Brings Rejoicing        – Let Zion Rejoice
Student Textbook                                              Teacher's Handbook

Devotional Reading: Psalms 42:5-11 Background Scripture: Isaiah 52:1, 2 7-12 Psalm 33

Rev. Michael J. Hudgins
Sunday, November 30, 2014


Isaiah 52:1-12 King James Version

1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
It is not God who is asleep, it is Jerusalem. Zion must wake up to a new reality! In spite of Israel's call in the first exodus to be a peculiar treasure, a holy nation, Zion never fulfilled God's desire regarding that command.
“Despite Israel's having the priestly house of Aaron, the royal dynasty of David, etc., the world does not see the true character of God through His people.” page 107, student text book.

Exodus 19:5-6 New King James Version 

 
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
“While studying and reading that comment in the student book, it gave me pause to think and I pray that it did to others that read it. (I hope) Something to think about from that very observation, a question to all of us who claim and proclaim to be born again, saved, Christians:
Does the world see the true character of God through us, or does the world see something entirely different, something that would cause God to become angry with us?”1

The First Exodus: The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, led by Moses
The Second Exodus: Second Exodus back to the Promised Land; the reunification of Israel and Judah; God's restoration and blessing of His covenant people.


After the death of Solomon, the Kingdom of Israel split into two separate kingdoms. The northern ten tribes retained the name Israel, establishing their capital at Samaria. The southern tribes—Judah and Benjamin, along with part of Levi—became known simply as Judah (and its people known as Jews; II Kings 16:5-6)
Zion is to awake to new clothing that will become her strength. She can finally discard the filthy rags of sin and idolatry that led her into exile in the first place, leaving with new garments of beauty and strength.
The beautiful garments refer to a new character of holiness in this regard. The uncircumcised and unclean cannot enter this renewed city. The new reality is that the renewed people of God will be “Holiness to the Lord”. Page 107 and 108 student text.
2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

“After the captive daughter of Zion arises from the dust of humiliating captivity, she is enthroned as royalty.

The next 4 verses were not included in the lesson, but I felt it appropriate to include them for a clearer picture of the lesson.
3 For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
4 For thus saith the Lord God, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.

(3) Ye have sold yourselves . . .—Literally, ye were sold. The people had complained that Jehovah had “sold them” into the hands of their enemies (Psalm 44:12). “Not so,” is the answer. “There was no real sale, only a temporary transfer, and therefore Jehovah can redeem you at His own pleasure.

God received nothing when he allowed his people to become the slaves of the Babylonians. He took no price for them (see Isaiah 50:1), and therefore is free to claim them back without payment (comp. Isaiah 45:13). He has but to say the word; and he is about to say it. 2


7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

A messenger who runs to deliver good news can be described as having beautiful feet even if those feet are covered in dust, calloused, bruised, and cut from the running. The nature of the news is described with the words peace, good, and salvation. All of these concepts converge in the thunderous expression thy God reigneth!

“Verse 7 is one of the better known verses in this section of the book, thanks to its citation in Romans 10:15 Paul in that section of Romans is talking about the nation of Israel, its ultimate salvation at the end of the age as a fulfillment of the promises, and the basis of that restoration in Christ’s death. So the ultimate meaning of this passage in Isaiah concerns the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though the immediate context refers to news of Israel’s deliverance from exile. But the parallel ideas are obvious. Here is another example of how the “near view” of a prophecy is but a shadow or preview of the “far view” (compare Psalm 118 and the prophecy of the “stone which the builders rejected” which in the Old Testament refers to Israel overlooked by empires, but in the New Testament signifies Christ rejected by the leaders).”3

8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.

The watchmen on the wall receive the good news of the runner and are predicted to join their voices together as if in a choir.

I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;


For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God.


What is all the shouting about?
The runner's bearing good news, and what the watchmen will see is God's coming as king! That is GOOD NEWS!

9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
As will the watchmen, the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall break forth in singing as a choir! Talk about a Mass Choir!!! This type of singing is the mark of a redeemed people. Such rejoicing occurs on top of the waste places, or ruins of Jerusalem. Page 109 of student text.
“Verse 9 is a call to praise the LORD for this great deliverance. People are called to praise because the “desolate places” are no longer such—in fact, waste or desolate places are being called to sing will sing for joy. The reason?—the LORD has “comforted” and “redeemed” . So in the future when the exile is over and the rebuilding begins, people will forget their desolation and rejoice in the power of the LORD.”4

10 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

The arm of The Lord = His power to save!
“We may think of a homespun idiom of God “rolling up His sleeves” to bare his holy arm for accomplishing this salvation.” page 110 student text.

“Verse 10 uses a bold anthropomorphism to express the dominant power of God—”He has made bare His holy arm.” It is the idea of pushing back the mantel and exposing the arm for action. “Holy” arm means that His power is unique, incomparable. There is no “arm” like His, no power like His. It will be a mighty salvation.”5
For the nations to see the salvation of our God means that they experience it. See page 110 of student text.





God calls His people to respond to His deliverance with purity and confidence (52:11, 12).

11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.
If Israel is to be a holy nation, she must do two things, one negative and one positive: touch no unclean thing and continually be ye clean. God's wrath is gone and His people are established as a holy nation.
“Verse 11 records an address to the exiles that comes from Jerusalem (“from thence” shows that the speaker is not in Babylon), suggesting again the transporting of the prophet in his vision. Since the LORD is present in the march to the holy land, the people must be pure. They must not be defiled by unclean things. After all, they are to be restored as the kingdom of priests. If they truly believe in the LORD, they will separate from the world and follow the LORD’s call to a renewed spiritual service. Thus it is with every kind of deliverance.
The prophet holds out for them the promise of divine protection. Unlike the exodus from Egypt, they will not have to go in haste, or by flight, because the LORD will lead them in the way and be their rearguard as well. “6
For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.


Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.


Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.


Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.


12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your reward.
Haste is not necessary as it was in the first exodus. The God of Israel establishes His kingship over His people as the one who goes before them as well as acting as their rearguard in the pilgrim journey of life. The new exodus is to take place in order for the renewed people of God to be His once again.
The suffering servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 takes upon himself the “chastisement” that brings “peace”. By means of this substitutionary atonement, God's people, made up of all of the nations, are set free from sin bondage.


Commentary on Isaiah 52:1-12

The gospel proclaims liberty to those bound with fears. Let those weary and heavy laden under the burden of sin, find relief in Christ, shake themselves from the dust of their doubts and fears, and loose themselves from those bands. The price paid by the Redeemer for our salvation, was not silver or gold, or corruptible things, but his own precious blood.
Considering the freeness of this salvation, and how hurtful to temporal comfort sins are, we shall more value the redemption which is in Christ. Do we seek victory over every sin, recollecting that the glory of God requires holiness in every follower of Christ?
The good news is, that the Lord Jesus reigns. Christ himself brought these tidings first. His ministers proclaim these good tidings: keeping themselves clean from the pollutions of the world, they are beautiful to those to whom they are sent. Zion's watchmen could scarcely discern any thing of God's favour through the dark cloud of their afflictions; but now the cloud is scattered, they shall plainly see the performance. Zion's waste places shall then rejoice; all the world will have the benefit. This is applied to our salvation by Christ.
Babylon is no place for Israelites. And it is a call to all in the bondage of sin and Satan, to use the liberty Christ has proclaimed. They were to go with diligent haste, not to lose time nor linger; but they were not to go with distrustful haste. Those in the way of duty, are under God's special protection; and he that believes this, will not hasten for fear.7

Isaiah 52:13 King James Version

13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

Isaiah 53:1-12 King James Version

53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.



1Rev. Michael J. Hudgins
2http://biblehub.com/commentaries/isaiah/52-3.htm
3https://bible.org/seriespage/announcement-comfort-redeemed-isaiah-521-12
4https://bible.org/seriespage/announcement-comfort-redeemed-isaiah-521-12
5https://bible.org/seriespage/announcement-comfort-redeemed-isaiah-521-12
6https://bible.org/seriespage/announcement-comfort-redeemed-isaiah-521-12
7http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=52
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Saturday, November 8, 2014

Tasha Cobbs - For Your Glory (Lyric Video/Live)

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Monday, October 27, 2014

Follow Me!



Follow Me
October 6, 2014

As I was walking through my home Saturday afternoon, I heard two words and they were Follow Me! I know that this was something that I had heard and read in the Word of God before and as always, I look for confirmation from The Lord if this is what He would have me to speak on.

I got that confirmation Sunday morning at Bishop Robert Gilchrist's Church,  Body of Christ Church in Erwin, North Carolina when the praise team and Minister Nevada Banks allowed God to use them to minister to the people.

I began to search the scriptures for reference and for passages for this message and of course I found them and I will give them to you in a little while.

As I was thinking about that I thought about how we have all at some time or another in life, especially those of us that drive, have had to follow signs posted along the highway, especially when there is road construction for whatever reason, and we have had to get off of the main road and follow the signs that detour us. We have to get off of the path, trail, route that we are familiar with because of the detour. If we take our time and carefully follow the directions, instructions and most importantly, take our time, we will definitely get to where we are going with little or no delay.

As in the natural, so in the spirit. When we come over to The Lord's side, we are required to faithfully follow His leading. In doing so, there are times when the road is not at all straight, sometimes it is bumpy, there are storms and these is rain, not all “good” times but times of trouble, but if we are obedient, hold fast to our faith and trust Him and follow His leading, we will get to where we are supposed to be in His will.

When I was writing that part, I thought of the 23rd Psalm:

Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Goodness and mercy shall follow me as I follow Him!!!!!!



Jesus said unto them and now unto us:

Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.


In the world today, people and I am talking about people in the church, are following after all manner of stuff that has nothing to do with Christ. So much mess going on and men and women pretending to be men and women of God but do not know Him as Lord and Savior.

All about who has the most members, the biggest church, the most money. Pastors from the pulpit, telling people you cannot live in the type of house I live in, the neighborhood I live in, you cannot drive the type of car that I am driving!  What kind of foolishness and ungodliness is that? And yet blind people do not know that, that kind of mess is not of God and God is not pleased with it. The word of God does not and will not lie.

For the scripture reads:

2 Peter 2:1-4King James Version (KJV)
2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

So beloved we are warned not to follow them that are not concerned about us or our souls, but looking for what they can get out of us. Use us, get all that they can out of us, then discard us like trash.

The Word of God does not lie to us and gives us proper instructions to follow:
1 Timothy 6:10-12
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Then we have those that pretend to be men and women of God and want us to follow them regardless of what they do or what they say and they always like to [mis] quote this portion of Scripture:

1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)
11 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
This was Paul speaking to the Corinthian church: The apostle not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led such a life as they ought to live. Yet Christ being our perfect example, the actions and conduct of men, as related in the Scriptures, should be followed only so far as they are like to his.

This tells us that we should have and are required to have, personal relationship with Christ, and to seek the truth through prayer, fasting and reading His Holy word, then we will know for ourselves those that are not following in the way of Christ and we should not follow that which does not line up with the Will, Word and Way of God. And for those that reject to follow His leading, to seek wisdom and knowledge the Word of God speaks to them:
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

 So we are expressly told what not to do and what to do, and if we do that which Christ has instructed us to do: follow Him, Happy are we indeed.
Listen to what God's Word says:
John 13:17
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

And children of God, Saints of God, know that when you do not follow after the foolishness of man, take a stand for that which is right in the sight of God, know this: you will suffer for righteousness, but it is a blessing to do so for the Word of God tells us:

1 Peter 3:14
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1 Peter 4:14
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Don't worry if you are for a little while, in spiritual prison for we know that the Apostles were imprisoned for righteousness, preaching Christ. Be encouraged for God will send His angels to take care of you just as He did for them:
Acts 12:8
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

And in closing, if we are to follow Christ, we are required to:

1 Peter 1:16
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

And if we are indeed seeking to do just that, then there is also a portion of Scripture that tells us to

Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:


Be careful what and whom you follow and make sure that you, as children of God, Men and Women of God, do what Christ told the twelve:

Follow Me!
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Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Warning Trumpet has Sounded!

 
Before Destruction, comes the warnings! Believe it or not, it is better to be warned about what is coming and turn away from it, than to receive no warning at all and be destroyed. 
 
America, Politicians, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers & Preachers, we have been warned. The hand writing is on the wall! Many do not believe, the day is coming when all truth shall be revealed, Lord Have Mercy Upon Us!

 Going against the direction and instruction of God is a dangerous thing. Saints of God, if there ever was a time to pray, it is indeed now. Man in his limited knowledge and lust for sin, trying to over throw God! It shall not be so!

Isaiah 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Jeremiah 2:8
The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

Jeremiah 23:1
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.
 


Jeremiah 23:2
Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.

Proverbs 16:18
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
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Friday, October 17, 2014

The Lord Bless Thee!

Numbers 6:24-26 

New King James Version (NKJV)

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’


Numbers 6:24-26

 King James Version (KJV)

24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

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The Final Ingredient to a Baked Cake: The Icing!

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Thursday, October 9, 2014

Right Now Lord

Thursday, October 9, 2014
The "Ascension" Morning Prayer Call Topic
"Right Now"
 
"Ascension"  Worship-Word-Prayer (Standing in for Prophet Brian R. Davis) 
Dial in Number: 1-567-704-2909 Code:2014#
 
  Rev. Michael J. Hudgins

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 69:13 King James Version (KJV)

13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2 King James Version (KJV)
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)


Lord God, in The Name of Jesus, please hear my prayer and the prayers of them that call on your name in Spirit and Truth Right Now. 
 
For all of them that are on this call, Lord God touch them and meet them at the point of all their needs, right now!


Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer, in Jesus name I do pray, Amen.


Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Lord God, in Jesus name, Right now:

Thank you for another day and a more better and perfect way through thee

Thank you for the shed blood of Jesus Christ that washeth all of our sins away

Thank you for the opportunity to come into your presence and approach the throne of Grace

Right now Lord, have mercy upon us and deliver us from all evil

Right now Lord God, in Jesus name I declare & decree all manner of cancers be canceled and destroyed right now, diabetes, high blood pressure all sickness, all hurt and pain

Right now heal them that are sick from every infirmity, bind it, destroy it right now!

Right now, mend broken marriages, broken families in the name of Jesus

Right now Lord, guide us, direct us, protect us

Right now Lord, regulate our minds and establish our thoughts in Jesus name

Right now Lord those churches that are not in order, set them in order according to your will in Jesus name.

Right now bind and destroy every hindrance, every stumbling block that comes against your people to discourage and defeat them

Right now Lord, those that have been turned over to reprobate minds, have mercy upon them and forgive them of their sins and bring them back to themselves in Jesus name

Right now Lord grant us peace and peace of mind in the name of Jesus

Right now Lord, watch over our children and keep them covered with the blood of Jesus Christ, protect them from all hurt, harm and danger

Right now Lord comfort them that are in despair, send them the comforter, The Holy Ghost in Jesus name

Lord right now touch and deliver them that are oppressed, them that are in distress in the name of Jesus

Lord right now, open doors that no man can close for them that have been waiting on you, in Jesus name.

Right now Lord someone praying for a job, let them receive the call that they got the job Lord, today right now

Right now Lord We decree healing for all of the household of faith that are sick.

Right Now Lord We decree provision and abundance for every household on this call this morning that has need and are lacking.

Right now Lord we declare and decree financial miracles and financial blessings over every household on this call

Right now Lord We decree peace over everyone and their family that are on this call.

Right now Lord  we decree God’s provision and blessings over our lives, then anything purposed against our provision and blessing can have no further say in the matter.

Right now Lord  we decree God’s peace and unity in our family, then anything purposed against peace and unity has no valid objection or standing to come against us.

Right now Lord we decree not our will, but thy will over each of us and our ministries, we know now that this will establish Lord God, your  purpose for us.
Right now Lord we decree, “we are blessed”

Right now Lord  we decree,  all of our children are strong and full of integrity, given by you!

Right now Lord we decree our homes brim with wealth this establishes our wealth and destroy the spirits of lack and poverty.

Right now Lord I decree & I declare, over every one listening now yes! It's my time, it's my turn, now!




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Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Follow Me - I promise not to get you lost!!



Follow Me 
Rev. Michael J. Hudgins
October 6, 2014

As I was walking through my home Saturday afternoon, I heard two words and they were Follow Me! I know that this was something that I had heard and read in the Word of God before and as always, I look for confirmation from The Lord if this is what He would have me to speak on.

I got that confirmation Sunday morning at Bishop Robert Gilchrist's Church,  Body of Christ Church in Erwin, North Carolina when the praise team and Minister Nevada Banks allowed God to use them to minister to the people.

I began to search the scriptures for reference and for passages for this message and of course I found them and I will give them to you in a little while.

As I was thinking about that I thought about how we have all at some time or another in life, especially those of us that drive, have had to follow signs posted along the highway, especially when there is road construction for whatever reason, and we have had to get off of the main road and follow the signs that detour us. We have to get off of the path, trail, route that we are familiar with because of the detour. If we take our time and carefully follow the directions, instructions and most importantly, take our time, we will definitely get to where we are going with little or no delay.

As in the natural, so in the spirit. When we come over to The Lord's side, we are required to faithfully follow His leading. In doing so, there are times when the road is not at all straight, sometimes it is bumpy, there are storms and these is rain, not all “good” times but times of trouble, but if we are obedient, hold fast to our faith and trust Him and follow His leading, we will get to where we are supposed to be in His will.



When I was writing that part, I thought of the 23rd Psalm:

Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Goodness and mercy shall follow me as I follow Him!!!!!!

Jesus said unto them and now unto us:

Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.


In the world today, people and I am talking about people in the church, are following after all manner of stuff that has nothing to do with Christ. So much mess going on and men and women pretending to be men and women of God but do not know Him as Lord and Savior.

All about who has the most members, the biggest church, the most money. 

Pastors from the pulpit, telling people you cannot live in the type of house I live in, the neighborhood I live in, you cannot drive the type of car that I am driving!  What kind of foolishness and ungodliness is that? 

And yet blind people do not know that, that kind of mess is not of God and God is not pleased with it. The word of God does not and will not lie.

For the scripture reads:

2 Peter 2:1-4King James Version (KJV)
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

So beloved we are warned not to follow them that are not concerned about us or our souls, but looking for what they can get out of us. Use us, get all that they can out of us, then discard us like trash.


The Word of God does not lie to us and gives us proper instructions to follow:

1 Timothy 6:10-12
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Then we have those that pretend to be men and women of God and want us to follow them regardless of what they do or what they say and they always like to [mis] quote this portion of Scripture:

1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)
11 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
This was Paul speaking to the Corinthian church: The apostle not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led such a life as they ought to live. Yet Christ being our perfect example, the actions and conduct of men, as related in the Scriptures, should be followed only so far as they are like to his.

This tells us that we should have and are required to have, personal relationship with Christ, and to seek the truth through prayer, fasting and reading His Holy word, then we will know for ourselves those that are not following in the way of Christ and we should not follow that which does not line up with the Will, Word and Way of God. And for those that reject to follow His leading, to seek wisdom and knowledge the Word of God speaks to them:

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

 So we are expressly told what not to do and what to do, and if we do that which Christ has instructed us to do: follow Him, Happy are we indeed.
Listen to what God's Word says:
John 13:17
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

And children of God, Saints of God, know that when you do not follow after the foolishness of man, take a stand for that which is right in the sight of God, know this: you will suffer for righteousness, but it is a blessing to do so for the Word of God tells us:

1 Peter 3:14
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1 Peter 4:14
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Don't worry if you are for a little while, in spiritual prison for we know that the Apostles were imprisoned for righteousness, preaching Christ. Be encouraged for God will send His angels to take care of you just as He did for them:
Acts 12:8
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

And in closing, if we are to follow Christ, we are required to:

1 Peter 1:16
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

And if we are indeed seeking to do just that, then there is also a portion of Scripture that tells us to

Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:


Be careful what and whom you follow and make sure that you, as children of God, Men and Women of God, do what Christ told the twelve:

Follow Me!
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Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Trust God's Promises


TRUST GOD'S PROMISES
Devotional Reading: Psalm 27:7-14 – Background Scripture:Haggai 1:12-2:9


Rev. Michael J. Hudgins
Sunday, June 8, 2014

Key Verse: Haggai 2:9 King James Version (KJV) The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.



Haggai 1:12-15

King James Version (KJV)
12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord.
“The remnant of the people were literally those who had made the trek back to Judah from their place of captivity in Babylon; it also refers to those within a larger population who are faithful to the Lord.”1
Remnant describes those that are left after an act of God's judgment, such as the Babylonian captivity.
“Zerubbabel” means born at Babel , i.e. Babylon”
Zerubbabel and the rest of the people had been busy in building costly houses for themselves. But in the second year of Darius, light dawned upon the darkness of the colony from Babylon. In that year --it was the most memorable event in Zerabbabel's life --the spirit of prophecy suddenly blazed up with a most brilliant light among the returned captives. Their words fell like sparks upon tinder. In a moment Zerubbabel roused from his apathy, threw his whole strength into the work. 2
13 Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord.
“God's promise to the people of Judah was that the name of the Coming One would be Immanuel, meaning “God is with us”. Here God repeated the same message of comfort and encouragement.”3

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.


14 And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,
The Spirit of God moves upon the human spirit of His leaders and his people to accomplish His work. God stirs up the people for the great work that is ahead.
“When God's people respond in obedience to His Word, then He is ready to bless them and accomplish great things through them.” p. 352 student textbook
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.


15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
(September 21, 520 BC (Before Christ))

“The people returned to God in the way of duty. In attending to God's ministers, we must have respect to him that sent them. The word of the Lord has success, when by his grace he stirs up our spirits to comply with it. It is in the day of Divine power we are made willing.

When God has work to be done, he will either find or make men fit to do it. Every one helped, as his ability was; and this they did with a regard to the Lord as their God.

Those who have lost time, need to redeem time; and the longer we have loitered in folly, the more haste we should make. God met them in a way of mercy. Those who work for him, have him with them; and if he be for us, who can be against us? This should stir us up to be diligent.”4

The Key point in regards to the text above is “we must have respect to him (God) that sent them” and not them that lied on God and went themselves
















Haggai 2:1-9

King James Version (KJV)
1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying,
The date above mentioned is equal to October 17, 520 BC (Before Christ)

2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,
  • Primary Leaders: Zerubbabel and Joshua
  • Remnant: Residue or people that are left
3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
  • Her First glory refers to Solomon's Temple which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, meaning that there were people in attendance old enough to remember what the first temple looked like, its majesty and also remembered its destruction by pagans.
  • The Lord speaks through Haggai and asks these older people to compare that temple with the one that is being built now.
  • It is clear that the new temple pales in comparison to Solomon's Temple and after the foundation of the new temple is laid, some shout for joy while others wept:

Ezra 3:10-13

King James Version (KJV)
10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

Ezra 3:10-13

New King James Version (NKJV)
10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood[a] in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord:
“For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.”[b]
Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off.

Footnotes:

  1. Ezra 3:10 Following Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate; Masoretic Text reads they stationed the priests.








Solomon's Temple in all her glory


The Destruction of The Temple










Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.




The Second Temple










That saw — Near fourscore years ago.
This house — The temple built by Solomon.


“The older temple would have loomed large and magnificent, far outstripping the present structure. So even though the building was completed, there may have been the sense among some of the people that it was as nothing”5
4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts:
Here God lets Zerubbabel and Joshua (and the people) that He is with them! Encouragement to do the work of the Lord.
“The lack of strength (both spiritual and physical) in the face of opposition had caused the initial attempt to rebuild the temple to slow down and eventually stop all together. The people must realize that the strength they need is not that of their own; the Lord is indeed with them” p. 353 student book.


5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
God NEVER breaks His promises and NEVER FORGETS what He says to us!
God reminds the people of a promise that He made to their ancestors that came out of Egypt, He promises to be with them.
Their ancestors had been held captive in Egypt and they had been held captive in Babylon. As God was with the former, He shall be with the latter remnant.


6 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
“If the people are becoming discouraged because of the apparent inferiority of the second temple, then the Lord now offers a glimpse of what He has in store for this structure” p. 354 student text.


Yet once — After many confirmations of the new covenant, one more, remains to be made.
A little while — Tho' above five hundred years, yet this was but a little time compared with that between the promise to Adam and Christ's coming.
I will shake — Whether it be metaphorical or literal, it was verified at the time of Christ's coming into the world. After the return of the captivity, by the commotions among the Grecians, Persians, and Romans, which began soon after this time; this was metaphorically fulfilled. And it was literally fulfilled by prodigies and earthquakes, at the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ.”6

2 Chronicles 7:1-3

King James Version (KJV)
7 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.
2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house.
3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Another way of speaking of the day of The Lord. When Jesus returns, the entire universe will be shaken!
7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.
All nations — Which was literally fulfilled in the overthrow of the Persian monarchy by the Grecians, in the civil wars, and succeeding troubles among Alexander's successors, the growth of the Roman power by subduing their neighbours, and their dissentions and home-bred wars.
The desire — Christ the most desirable, to all nations, and who was desired by all that knew their own misery, and his sufficiency to save them who was to be the light of the Gentiles, as well as the glory of his people Israel.
With glory — The first temple had a glory in its magnificent structure, rich ornaments, and costly sacrifices; but this was a worldly glory; that which is here promised, is a heavenly glory from the presence of Christ in it. He that was the brightness of his father's glory, who is the glory of the church, appeared in this second temple.”7








8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.

Barnes' Notes on Haggai 2:8

The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine - These words, which have occasioned some to think, that God, in speaking of the glory with which He should fill the house, meant our material riches, suggest the contrary. For silver was no ornament of the temple of Solomon. Everything was overlaid with gold.

In the tabernacle there were bowls of silver, in Solomon's temple they and all were of gold 1 Kings 7:50; 2 Chronicles 4:8. Silver, we are expressly told, "was nothing accounted of 1 Kings 10:21 in the days of Solomon: he 1 Kings 10:27. made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones - for abundance." Rather, as God says by the Psalmist Psalm 50:10-12, "Every beast of the forest is Mine, so are the cattle upon a thousand hills: I know all the fowls of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is Mine and the fullness thereof:" so here He tells them, that for the glory of His house He needed not gold or silver: for all the wealth of the world is His. They had no ground "to grieve then, that they could not equal the magnificence of Solomon who had abundance of gold and silver." All was God's. He would fill it with divine glory. The Desire of all nations, Christ, should come, and be a glory, to which all created glory is nothing.




9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.
Peace includes good health, well-being, and an abundant life. The term speaks of everything as it ought to be.
In this place — In my house, a type of Christ.
Peace — A spiritual, internal, and heavenly peace.
“The name, Jerusalem, where the city is located, means city of peace.” p. 355 of student text

Commentary on Haggai 2:1-9

“Those who are hearty in the Lord's service shall receive encouragement to proceed. But they could not build such a temple then, as Solomon built. Though our gracious God is pleased if we do as well as we can in his service, yet our proud hearts will scarcely let us be pleased, unless we do as well as others, whose abilities are far beyond ours.
Encouragement is given the Jews to go on in the work notwithstanding. They have God with them, his Spirit and his special presence. Though he chastens their transgressions, his faithfulness does not fail. The Spirit still remained among them. And they shall have the Messiah among them shortly; "He that should come."
Convulsions and changes would take place in the Jewish church and state, but first should come great revolutions and commotions among the nations. He shall come, as the Desire of all nations; desirable to all nations, for in him shall all the earth be blessed with the best of blessings; long expected and desired by all believers.
The house they were building should be filled with glory, very far beyond Solomon's temple. This house shall be filled with glory of another nature. If we have silver and gold, we must serve and honour God with it, for the property is his. If we have not silver and gold, we must honour him with such as we have, and he will accept us.


Let them be comforted that the glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former, in what would be beyond all the glories of the first house, the presence of the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord of glory, personally, and in human nature. Nothing but the presence of the Son of God, in human form and nature, could fulfil this.
Jesus is the Christ, is He that should come, and we are to look for no other. This prophecy alone is enough to silence the Jews, and condemn their obstinate rejection of Him, concerning whom all their prophets spake.


If God be with us, peace is with us. But the Jews under the latter temple had much trouble; but this promise is fulfilled in that spiritual peace which Jesus Christ has by his blood purchased for all believers. All changes shall make way for Christ to be desired and valued by all nations. And the Jews shall have their eyes opened to behold how precious He is, whom they have hitherto rejected.”8







1New King James Bible Notes
2Smith’s Bible Dictionary
3New King James Bible Notes
4Matthew Henry Commentray
5New King James Study Bible notes
6John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
7John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
8Matthew Henry Commentary
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