The word of the Lord again comes to Haggai to give to Zerubbabel and Joshua - but now the faithful remnant of the people are included recipients. The Lord asks, "Who saw this Temple in it's former glory?" He reminds them what it once was and has them acknowledge that the current version is nothing by comparison. But he tells them to remain strong, repeating the promise that he is with them. Then, the Lord their God (the same powerful God who brought them up out of the land of Egypt) declares this: "Once more, in a little while, I will fill this house with glory!" He speaks of shaking the heavens and the earth and filling his Temple with the treasures of the nations. And he promises that "the final glory of this house will be greater than the first!" (Not just with riches but even providing peace!) This is a bold declaration!
This promise will most certainly come to pass! Jesus identified himself as the fulfillment of this promise. He identified himself as the Temple of God - one that would be torn down and rebuilt in three days. In Jesus, we see the glory of God revealed! The full glory - even greater than the veiled glory of God in Solomon's Temple! And in Christ, God has indeed shaken the heavens and the earth! And he is gathering to himself the treasures of the nations. You are the treasures of the nations that he has reclaimed and purchased and bought back in Christ! We are a house. Built on Christ the Cornerstone. And this church - this Kingdom - is a house with a future glory. So let us do exactly what the Lord instructs the people to do: Work! For he is with us.
