I. Interpreting the Prophet Haggai
"In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the
word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet (Hag.1:1)...In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day
of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying...Who is left among you that saw
this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
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 glory of this latter house shall be greater
than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts"
(Haggai.2:1-9).
A. Applying this pattern is a simple process
The apostle Paul told the Corinthian Church that he feared, "lest by any means, as the serpent
beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity (singleness)
[1] that is in Christ" (2Cor.11:3). Within the language of the Prophets, was the language of the Law
of Moses which was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal.3:24, Matt.5:17-19, Rom.3:21-33;
16:25-26, 1 Peter.1:10-17 /Matt.13:10-17). This was their single purpose "that in all things He (The
Lord Jesus Christ) might have the preeminence" (Col.1:18).
1. When was Haggai prophesying
He was prophesying during the time of the restoration of Jerusalem(Dan.9:25) after the seventy
year Babylonian captivity (Haggai.1:1, Ezra.5:1). However they never attained to what
was prophesied (Haggai 2:3-9). This record is provided for us in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
a. The Books of Ezra, Nehemiah
(1) They had been released from 70 years of captivity.(#1 on pattern chart)
Judah, Benjamin and the Priests left the captivity and began to restore (Ezra.1-2).
(2) The foundation of the House of God (the Lord's House Isa.2:2) was finished.
They "sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto
the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all
the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the
foundation of the house of the Lord was laid" (Ezra.3:10-11, 6:15-22).
Note: But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men,
that had seen the first house,[2]when the foundation of this house was laid before their
eyes, wept with a loud voice (Haggai.2:1-9) and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the
people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the
people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off"
(Ezra 3:11-12).
(3) However the building of the House was hindered. The completion of the House of the
Lord was hindered by the enemy and they stopped building (Ezra.4:1-24).
These were "Troublous times" (Dan.9:25).
(4) Then came Haggai and prophesied...finish the House (Haggai.1-2, Zach.1-14, Ezra.5:1-2).
However as they were restoring, Haggai said,
(a) Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory (Hag.2:3)?
(b) and how do ye (you) ("ancient men"- Ezra.3:12) see it now (Hag.2:3)?
(c) is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing (Hag 2:3-4)?
Then Haggai continued and looked into the future and said, that there will be a "latter
[future] house...greater than of the former [Solomon'sTemple]"(Hag.2:9).
(5) The House of Judah never attained to the "latter House"
(a) They "mingled" and became unequally yoked(2Cor.6:14-18)
The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, did not separated themselves
from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the
Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the
Egyptians, and the Amorites. "For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and
for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those
lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass"
(Ezra 9:2, Ezra 9-10). This lead to intermarriage.
(b) This made the work of God stagnate
The work of God stagnated and "the walls of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the
gates thereof are burned with fire." (Neh.1:1-3) Note: Dan.9:25 "the street shall be
built again, and the wall, even in troublous times".
(c) Nehemiah came and they began to build again
Now Nehemiah begins to lead and to build again the walls of Jerusalem (Neh.2:1-20).
(d) Hindered again
This work was hindered, yet Nehemiah finished the walls" (Neh.4:1-23).
(e) Then there was internal corruption
"And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take
up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the
dearth. There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and
that upon our lands and vineyards" (Neh.5:1-4, 5:5-19).
(f) Finally the wall was finished
Nevertheless under Nehemiah's leadership "the wall was finished" (Neh.6:16).
(g) Then there was a revival of the Word
Ezra the priests read "the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and
caused them to understand the reading" (Neh.8:1-8, Note. v.8). This caused great joy
(Neh.8:10)!
(h) They did not maintain this revival and became corrupted again
However they did not maintain this separation unto the Lord and "married wives of
Ashdod, of Amon and of Moab" (Neh.13:1-24).
(6) The Book of Nehemiah ends without the "The glory of this latter house" of God being
"greater than the former house". Haggai's prophecy has not yet been
fulfilled. (As Foreshadowed by Solomon's Temple)
b. Now comes the period of the kingdom of Greece.
This is the silent period between the Old and New Testaments. In this period we still see
no "latter house that is greater than the former house" (Hag. 2:1-9). The book of Daniel fills in
the details. / REVIEW: PHASE 5 / #4 on the pattern for interpreting the Prophets)
(1) Daniel prophesied that after the seventy years of captivity, the city and
the sanctuary of Jerusalem would be restored. (Dan.9:24)
What was restored was not greater than the former because sin hindered their work.
"...is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing" (Hag 2:3-4)?
(2) Daniel prophesied that during the time of Greece, there would be 434 years until Jesus,
the Messiah would came (Dan.9:25).
Still no "latter house built that shall be greater than the former".
2. Now Haggai's prophecy of the "latter house" comes through the Cross unfulfilled
"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in
this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts" (Hag.2:9). (#5 )
a. What is meant by "through the Cross?" (the simplicity / singleness of the Cross)
Jesus (The Word made flesh John.1:1-14) did not destroy the Law and the Prophets. He
came to "fulfill them" (Matt.5:17-19) which means they are in effect in the New Covenant,
in their fulfillment in Christ (The Body of Christ, Col.1:18 The Church 2Cor.5:17). The Galatian
Churches were keeping parts of the Law (Gal.1:6-9; 2:3-4; 11-21; 2:1-3; 9-19; 5:1-8; 6:13-16)
without it's fulfillment in Christ which was "removing them from Him (Jesus)...unto another
gospel"and frustrating the Grace of God Gal.2:21. (Gal.1:6-9, 2Cor.11:1-15, v.4)
2 Corinthians 1:12 "For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we
conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but
by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
(1) From Adam to Moses(Rom.5:10-14)
(a) The seed of the Woman points to the simplicityof Christ (Gen.3:)
(b) Adam was a "figure" of Him that was to come (Rom.5:14, 1Cor.15:45-46)
(c) Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and saw it (John.8:56, Gal.3:1-29)
(d) Until Shiloh comes (Gen.49:)
(2) From Moses to Christ (Rom.5:10-14)
(a) The Law was a schoolmaster to bring us to the simplicity of Christ (Gal.3:24).
(b) The Law was imposed on them until the simplicity of Christ came (Heb.9:9-10).
(c) The Feast days were a shadow on good things (the simplicity in Christ) to come
(Col.2:16-17).
(3) When Jesus was crucified as the true Passover Lamb
This was the "new and living way" (Heb.10:19-20) into the New Covenant (Testament).
This "new and living way" is the fulfillment (Matt.5:17-19) of the tabernacle (Heb.9:1-5)...
(a) Wherein was the candlestick
(b) And the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
(c) And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
(d) Which had the golden censer
(e) And the ark of the covenant / the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
"Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first
tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone
once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the
people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made
manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then
present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the
service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and
divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of
reformation" (Heb.9:6-11).
(3) Christ, the Messiah, came bringing "the time of reformation"
(a) The Word became flesh / the only begotten Son / Jesus (John.1:1-18),
(b) And came unto His own / Judah / Jews (John.1:11).
(c) This reformation/ "confirmation" included both Jew and Gentile together "to make
in himself (2Cor.5:17, Eph.2:11-15) of twain (two) one new man, so making peace, And
that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross..."For through him
we both (Jew and Gentile) have access (in our High Priest, The Lord Jesus Christ,
Heb.3:1) by one Spirit (the simplicity / singleness of Christ, 2Cor.11:1-4) unto the
Father. Now (in the New Covenant confirmation) ye (you Gentiles) are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of
God" (Eph. 2:18-19).
Note:The only House / Temple / Sanctuary of God after the Cross is the church of the
living God (Acts.7:48; 17:24, 1Cor.6:19, 1Peter.2:5, Eph.2:20-22, 1Tim.3:15). Review: Phase 2,
Page 1 Jesus said, "destroy this temple.. but spake of His body" (John.2:18-20).God never
promised to restore theearthly Temple ofSolomon. In fact the last word spoken to the
earthly Temple in Jerusalem was that it would be left desolate (Matt.23:36), and that
not one stone would be left upon another (Matt.24:14). Furthermore, God "rent the Vail in
twain (two)" to establish He was gone (Matt.27:50-51). Note: Heb.9:1-11
3. Haggai's Word cannot go past the Second Coming
Peter said, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when
the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ,
which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive (retained / held, Strong's
#.NT2983) until the times of restitution (restoration) of all things, which God hath spoken by the
mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" (Acts.3:19-21).
a. Haggai is one of the Prophets.
b. He said, there would be a latter House(of God)that will begreater than the former
HouseOf God / Solomon's Temple.
c. No natural temple/ House (of God) has been built that was or is greater than Solomon's Temple.
d. After the Cross, there will be no rebuilt earthly natural Temple of God that God's name will be
recorded on.
e. The only Temple of God between the Cross, us today and the Second Coming is the Church,
which MUST be built(and finished / completed / perfected Rev.10:7; 11:15) before Jesus
returns at the sounding of the 7th Trump (last trump) (Rev.10:7, 1Cor.15:51-52, 1Thes.4:13-18).
Review: PHASE 10, Page.1
Back to Cover PHASE 6 Cover Page
Bibleteachingonline101.net / Phase 6 , Page 2 - The Prophet Haggai / Return to cover page
Singleness (The New and Living way)
Simplicity
John.14:6, Heb.10:20