[Sung Psalm: 122] Did you know that Hanukkah is mentioned in the Bible? In fact, did you know that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah? He was in Jerusalem for the "Feast of Dedication" – whose other title is Hanukkah. There has been something of a debate in Reformed circles about this. After all, the Feast of Dedication is not an inspired feast. God never said to have a feast to celebrate the victory of Judas Maccabeus! There is no divine authority for the Feast of Dedication – just "church authority." In that way it's sort of like "Christmas." God never said "Thou shalt celebrate Christmas" – and as far as we know the apostles never did – but the church has done it since at least the late third century. But the Feast of Dedication is even more sketchy – because it is not celebrating a biblical event – it is celebrating an event in general church history. So in that sense it's more like "Reformation Day" – or "Thanksgiving Day" – or, for that matter, "Saints' Days." It's worth noting that Jesus participates in the Feast of Dedication. That's not to say that Jesus is therefore endorsing every special holiday ever! Having a saints day or three for every day of the year is hardly warranted from one verse! But plainly Jesus was willing to dignify the Feast of Dedication with his presence...

Today we want to start a new series of studies in, what is referred to as the Minor Prophets The Minor Prophets are the last 12 books of the Old Testament Scriptures They begin with Hosea and end with Malachi They included the books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. These 12 Books, containing 66 chapters, make up 25 Percent of the Old Testaments Prophet Teaching Our study will not be an in-depth, verse by verse, analysis of each of those 12 books, but rather an overview of the book, with the specific goal of identifying the Major or Main Message of the Book.

s I write this we are approximately 38 days here in America into the nation-wide COVID-19 shut down of the US economy, and a suspension of our freedoms and liberties the likes of which has heretofore never been seen since our founding in 1776. Globally, every major nation on earth is undergoing similar measures. There can be no question that the world is being shaken to its core, the only question is why, and why now? "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; 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. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts." Haggai 2:6-8 (KJB) On this episode of the NTEB Prophecy News Podcast, we are looking into the 'beginning of sorrows' in Matthew 24, with some of the only verses in the entire chapter that can be rightly divided and applied to the Church Age, and examine the COVID-19 phenomenon in light of the prophesied 'pestilences' that Jesus said would precede the time of Jacob's trouble. Our time, in the days before the Pretribulation Rapture of the Church.

Haggai is short. Only 38 verses. We've got two – maybe three – sermons here. But that's because Haggai's point is very simple – and very clear! If you focus on building your house – your labors will be in vain! But "I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts" – so get back to work building my house. And since all of the Christian life is about temple building – building up the body of Christ – Haggai's basic point is a point that we need to hear! And at the heart of Haggai's point is the importance of hearing the Word of the LORD. Haggai only has 38 verses. But in these 38 verses, there are 29 references to divine revelation! Four times we are told that the Word of the LORD came to Haggai. Five times we hear "thus says the LORD" Twelve times we hear "declares the LORD" along with a handful of “"oice of the LORD", "the LORD's message", etc. Likewise, there is not only a focus on divine revelation, but also divine sovereignty. In these 38 verses, God is called "the LORD of hosts" 14 times. He is the one who speaks – who acts – and whose Word controls the fortunes of his people – and indeed over all nations – and all creation!

A new MP3 sermon from Ruidoso Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details:

Title: Haggai, Exposition # 2 of 2

Subtitle: Haggai, Verse-by-Verse

Speaker: Wayne Joyce

Broadcaster: Ruidoso Baptist Church

Event: Bible Study

Date: 4/4/2008

Bible: Haggai 2; 2 Peter 3:8; John 5:24

Length: 39 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Ruidoso Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details:

Title: Haggai, Exposition # 1 of 2

Subtitle: Haggai, Verse-by-Verse

Speaker: Wayne Joyce

Broadcaster: Ruidoso Baptist Church

Event: Bible Study

Date: 4/4/2008

Bible: Haggai 1; Psalm 119; Matthew 6:33

Length: 40 min.