Clearly Fulfilled Prophesy

Scripture: I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty. Haggai 2:7-9

Observation: Haggai is delivering the Lord's message to rebuild the temple, and makes three promises. He states that in the context of the restored temple ... "all nations" will be shaken and receive what they desire, the new temple will in fact be more glorious than the first, and in the temple he will grant peace.

The new temple was started around 516 BC, and lasted until 70 AD. During that time, there was almost no peace in Jerusalem, the nations remained antagonistic toward Israel, the temple itself was a threat - not a desire - of all other nations, even defiled and attacked several times, and eventually the Romans destroyed it. However, we also know the second temple was vastly more grand than the first. So did this prophesy get only 33% fulfilled?

It is, in fact, in knowing that true prophesy wasn't fulfilled that we realize we are misunderstanding the prophesy, and in looking deeper we find hope. The rebuilding of the temple was a symbol of the future new covenant. God was about to create this new "house". That promise would be greater and more glorious than the old covenant. The manifestation of the promise would shake all nations for all time, and would be the true desire of every heart. And this new promise is one of eternal peace.

This "house" is, of course, the Messiah.

Application: It is clear that Messiah is the hope of all people, all time. He is the source of peace between God and man, providing reconciliation. It is that reconciliation that is the desire of all people in all nations, and that turns the course of human history upside down forever.

And this is the Messiah we celebrate at Christmas. It is this prophetic promise that we bring people from all nations to see lights, experience love, receive hope, and perhaps seek to go deeper.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for divine appointments in the nights to come. Send those in need of your love, and give our teams the strength, wisdom, mercy, humility, and hospitality to provide your love, joy, kindness, and tenderness. Amen.