The Coming Glory of the Temple

New Beginnings Greater than the Past

Haggai delivers his message and he gives an exact time for us, 2 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Hag 2:1. This was what they call the last ordinary day of the Feast of Booths. The very next day, 22nd, was a solemn day of rest. This message was the second message asked to be offered up to Zerubbabel and Joshua. But this time the remnant is also included.

So the word from the Lord is asking the people, who is left who remembers the former Glory? How do you see it now? We, as a congregation, need to ask ourselves this question. Haggai was asked to bring this to the attention of the Remnant. Why would God ask Haggai to bring this to the attention of these men and the Remnant? From time to time we need to be reminded that God is still at work. Even though things change, even though we might be discouraged we need to remember.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not

Haggai reminds the people that God is still working, that even though there are few who can remember the former glory, God is promising things from the Covenant. We can at times feel that God is no longer working miracles, no longer fulfilling His promises, but the message is clear things of the future are brighter than the past. 6 For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’ ”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Hag 2:6–9.