In a little while

This continues Haggai’s second message. Words of encouragement from the Lord are delivered to the discouraged people. In the previous passage, attention was directed to the blessings of the past (the blessings of the Sinai Covenant), but in today’s passage, the blessings of the future (the Messianic Kingdom) are emphasized. “For this is what the Lord of armies says: ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land’” (v 6). (1) “Once more in a little while” refers to events of the end times. (2) Before the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom) is established on the earth, a time will come when the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land will be shaken. This is a prophecy of the Great Tribulation (ref. Isa. 13:13). “‘I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord of armies. ‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the Lord of armies” (v 7-8). (1) “This house” refers to the temple of the Millennial Kingdom. That temple will be filled with glory (ref. Ezek. 40-48). (2) The people of Israel are lamenting that the temple they are now trying to rebuild is inferior, but the temple of the Millennial Kingdom will be magnificently adorned. This is because the nations will bring their treasures. The silver and the gold belong to the Lord.

The latter glory

An even more wonderful promise follows. “‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of armies, ‘and in this place I will give peace,’ declares the Lord of armies” (v 9). (1) The temple that the people of Israel are now trying to rebuild is far inferior compared to the former one (Solomon’s temple). However, the latter glory of this house (its future glory) will far surpass that of Solomon’s temple. (2) This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus the Messiah came into the temple. (3) Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). At His first coming, He brought spiritual peace, and at His second coming, He will bring physical peace. Hebrews 12:26 quotes Haggai 2:6: “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.”  The argument of Hebrews is that if we are in Christ, we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, even by the upheavals of the end times (ref. Heb. 12:28-29). Those who are in Christ will never be shaken. Thanks be to God.