Haggai 2)
1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month (our October 5th), came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,
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 remnant of the People, saying,
3 Who is left among you, the remnant, that saw this house in her primitive glory? (the Temple is regarded as one throughout. Evidently there were some present who had seen it. Cp. Ezra 3:12) and how do you see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land, says the LORD, and work: for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts (Yehovah Sabaioth):
5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt (ref. Ex. 12:51), so My spirit remains (or abides) among you (i.e. speaking by the prophets. Cp. Neh. 9:20. Isa. 63:10-14.): fear you not.
6 For thus has said the LORD of hosts; 'Yet once of several (there had been shakings before; but this would be extreme and final. Quoted in Heb. 12:26,27. Greek hapax = once for all: i.e. first, before the fulfillment of the promise given in the clause which follows), it is a little while, and I will shake (shake violently, as in Pss. 46:3; 77:18. Jer. 10:10&c.) the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; (This refers to the great tribulation [Matt. 24:29,30]. Cp. Isa. 13:13; 24:18.)
7 And I will shake all nations,
and the desire of all nations shall come (put for the object of desire which refers to Him Who can alone satisfy the desire of all nations. Cp. 1 Sam. 9:20. 2 Chron. 21:20): and I will fill this house with glory (this refers to the future millennial Sanctuary of Ezekiel, as it follows after the great shaking of this verse and Rev. 6:12-17. Moreover this "glory" is connected with the final peace [v.9. Isa. 9:6; 60:18]. The 2nd Temple was connected with "grace", not "glory", and was followed by wars, not peace [Matt. 10:34; 24:6-8. Luke 12:51.), says the LORD of hosts.
8 The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine (cp. Isa. 2:7; 60:9-17; 61:6), says the LORD of hosts.
9 Greater shall be the last glory of this house than the first (Ezek. 43:2,4,5; 44:4), says the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace (cp. Isa. 9:6. Mic. 5:6. Zech. 9:9,10), says the LORD of hosts."
10 In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month (nearly 2 months after the previous message. Approx. our Dec. 16th), in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
11 "Thus says the LORD of hosts; 'Ask now [concerning] the priests concerning the law (ref. Lev. 10:10,11. Deut. 17:11; 33:10), saying,
12 'If one bear holy flesh (i.e. the flesh of a sacrifice. Cp. Jer. 11:15) in the skirt of his garment, and with his wing (see Ruth 3:9) do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, will it be holy?' '
And the priests answered and said, 'No.' (Ref. Lev. 6:27.)
13 Then said Haggai, 'If one that is unclean by touching a soul touch any of these, shall it be unclean?'
And the priests answered and said, 'It shall be unclean.' (Ref. 22:4,6.)
14 Then (this is the application of vv.11-13) answered Haggai, and said, 'So is this people, and so is this nation before me, says the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there (referring to the altar which was set up before the building of the Temple. See next verse. Cp. Ezra 3:2,3, with v.6) is unclean.
15 And now, I pray you, consider from this day (the day of the prophet's message) and above (as to place; backward, as regards time; as explained. Referring to the past time, before the foundation was laid. See v.-19), from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:
16 Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty sheaves, and there were but ten: when one came to the press-fat for to draw out fifty wine measures out of the press, there were but twenty.
17 I smote you (ref. Deut. 28:22) with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labors of your hands;
yet you turned not to Me, says the LORD.
18 Consider (meditate, Stop. Think) now from this day (i.e. the day the foundation of the Temple was laid. From this time, subsequently, things would be different, and Yahaveh would bless them, as promised in v.-19) and above, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid (foundation of Christianity), consider it.
19 Is the seed yet in the barn? (the answer is no. It was sown. You hold back to plant another crop. Is it in your mind or have you planted it?. All the truths and gifts God gives should be planted and broadcast) however, thought at present the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, has not brought forth:
from this very day (referring to their obedience in building) will I bless." (No one person has all the seeds. It takes the Temple, the many membered body to plant them and let God take care of it. He knows how to use it.)
20 And again the word of the LORD came to Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,
21 Speak to Zerubbabel (born in babel [confusion] but didn't stay there), governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; (At the end. God's tribulation.)
22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. (Esau against Jacob, Russia against the free world. Ezek. 38 & 39.)
23 In that day (pretty close to the end), says the LORD of hosts, will I take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the LORD, and will make you as a signet (cp. Song 8:6. Jer. 22:24. See also for this honor, Zech. 4:7-10; 6:13; and cp. Gen. 41:42. Est. 3:10. Kings ring. Jesus Christ is the seal. Ability to lead or implant in someone to accept the Holy Spirit in their forehead by truth, God's Word that comes to pass. See Zech. 3:8,9; 8:8-17.): for I have chosen you (as David and other were chosen [1 Kings 8:16; 11:34,&c. Chosen before the foundation of the world, God's Elect]), says the LORD of hosts.' "