The Lord speaks to the prophet Haggai in a day when the people of God needed to “consider their ways”. They had been living in captivity to Babylon and its gods, but now God was moving to bring them out of bondage into a place where they could dwell in the freedom and presence of one true God. In the same way today in the church of Jesus Christ, there is a divine shaking of what has been built in order to transition His beloved into a secret place of refuge and intimacy with Him.

Sadly we find many parallels between God’s people today and in Haggai’s day. In the days of Haggai their eyes were on themselves and what they could do for themselves. In spite of all God had done to deliver them from all the error of their ways and their captivity; still they continued in selfish ambitions, to yoke with darkness and to mix in the activity of false religions, eating at the devils table of pleasures.

God spoke to them that He was with them and that He had stirred servant leaders to lead them into righteousness, justice and holiness. Haggai spoke of the holiness and purity of God’s temple that would require some separation.

” If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and with edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy? They answered NO! And Haggai said, “If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these will it be unclean? So the priests answered and said, “It shall be unclean.” Then Haggai answered 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 WHAT THEY OFFER THERE IS UNCLEAN.” Haggai 2:12-14

Only the Blood of Jesus Christ can touch that which is unclean and make it holy. But if we who have been made clean through His blood dabble in the unholy table the devil sets in this world we will become unholy. We have to know the difference between what is clean and what is unclean, what is holy and what is not. The Spirit of God who lives in His people is HOLY and therefore HE will lead us into holiness. Holiness is a lifestyle, which presents a higher standard of life. We who call ourselves Christian can no longer just ignore our own conscience for that is the means by which God purifies our dead works. If we justify our own wrong actions then we are tuning the voice of God out. There has never been a day when it is more important to hear the voice of God. There is great need for an awakening to the iniquity of our hearts and lifestyles that defile us before our God. Without holiness no man will see the Lord. (Hebrew 12:14)

Haggai’s speaks a message to them in their economic downward spiral:
“You have sown much, and bring in little. You eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves but no one is warm. And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” Haggai 1:6

It took the prophet to wake them up to what direction they were going and why. Their priorities were out of order. The safety and prosperity they wanted was tied to their making this assignment from God their priority. First they were to begin to build His house (His Kingdom) and their lives to be holy temple in which the Lord could dwell. It is critical today to hear the voice of God for our direction in every area of life and obey it.

We must begin to build our lives, our business, our ministries, our homes and families to be fit for the King to come in with His presence and establish His kingdom for the Glory of God. It must begin on the inside and grow outward into greater works of fruitfulness that glorifies God. Then our lives will prosper in good days or dark days. The Glory of God will be greater on this latter house and shine brighter in these coming days of judgment. Hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the church today;

“Once more I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of all Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine says the Lord of host. The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, says the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:6-9

The word of the Lord was ” I will shake heaven and earth, I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them; the horses and their riders shall come down. Everyone by the sword of his brother.” Haggai 2:22

Today “each believer” who has Christ inside through the Spirit of God is a precious stone that makes up His temple. This is our priority beloved; God wants above all to fill His family with Great Glory. In the midst of great darkness and turmoil that will come on the earth God wants His glory to arise upon you, clothing you with His presence and power.

God loves His family! Together we make up His temple. He longs to come into our gatherings and do as He wills. We must not forsake our gathering together for He longs to come upon us with His Glory. All that hold us back in darkness fades away in one moment in His manifested presence and His “transforming” love can then penetrate our whole being, spirit, soul and body.