Haggai 2:1

Haggai 2:1 says, In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,  Once more, we are given the specific day that the word of the LORD came to Haggai.  God's word was never just a general idea that came to His prophets and spokesmen but was always a specific message that came at a particular time.  God does not lead us to share a vague message with the world today but leads us to share the specific message of salvation through Christ alone.  Veree two adds, Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,  God told Haggai that he was to speak to the governor, the high priest, and the remnant of the people.  This would have been everyone from those of highest authority to those who were the least of His people.  God's message of salvation always applies equally to each individual, no matter their status in the world, and we as His followers are to present the gospel to every person equally.  Verse three continues, 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?  God told Haggai to ask the people of Israel how many had seen His house in its glory, and if what it looked like today was not contemptible.  We as followers of Christ today are the temple of God, and we might ask ourselves if we saw Christianity in its glory and if it has become contemptible today.  Verse four declares,  Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:  God then called on the governor, the high priest,and all the people to be strong in their faith in Him.  If we are to successfully spread the gospel today and advance God's kingdom, we must be strong in faith.  Verse five adds, According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.  God called on them to remember the covenant that He made with them when He brought them out of Egypt.  As Christians, we need to remember the covenant that God made with us when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse six continues,  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;  God told them that He was soon going to shake all of creation.  This was a reference to the coming of Christ and what happened at His death.  Verse seven concludes, 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.  God said that all nations would be shaken and that He would fill His house with glory.  Verse eight states, The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.  God said that all the riches of the world belonged to Him.  We as followers of Christ need to acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God.  Verse nine adds, 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.  Jesus said that He was the temple of God, and He is far greater than the first temple.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, He is much greater than any and made temple, and as God told the people then, He should bring us peace in our life today.