LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Restoring Vision
We often have the tendency to look at what is in front of our eyes, the apparent, and not at the invisible, by faith. In order for us to have a correct vision, the Lord gave the church the prophets. They are the ones who open up this vision for us by the Word: "Without prophecy the people are out of control" (Prov. 29:18). To give us a correct vision, the Lord always makes us go back to the beginning - he makes us look to Jesus. It was thus that the ancients attained a good testimony by faith (Heb. 11:2).
Haggai was one of the prophets raised up by God along with Zechariah at the time of the restoration of the temple of Israel. Although the Lord speaks of the temple of Israel in chapter 2, the reference for us is not the temple, but the glorious church. When the Lord commands the people to look, by faith, to the latter glory of the house, it is clear that he is referring to us.
God was speaking of Jesus Christ and his House which he himself built (Heb. 3:6); therefore we can make a reference to this House. Alluding to verse 3 of Haggai chapter 2, the Lord asks us: Who saw the glory of the first House, of the early church? We can glimpse it by faith, looking at the Scriptures, and see it as gold, silver and precious stones (1 Cor. 3:13).
In what state do we see the House now? Looking at Christianity in our day, is it as nothing in our eyes? If we look at it this way, we will weep like the Jews for not being able to restore and live that glory. And we will never be able to restore it in its fullness, seeing that the Lord teaches us this for the four churches of Revelation that he will find when he returns: Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
Today we find Christians in many different realities. If we look at this, we will be confused, but the Lord restores our vision through prophecy, and makes us look at Jesus and the glory of the House. The Lord turns our eyes away from what is apparent and makes us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and in him we see a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless.
Then the Lord encourages us all by saying in verse 4: "Be strong ... and be of good courage, all you people of the earth ... and labor; for I am with you". In verse 8, he even says: "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord". The operations of God (gold), the ministries of the Lord (silver) and the gifts of the Spirit (precious stones) will not fail us. Nothing will be lacking, for he who said it is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thess. 5:24).
The glory of that last House will be far greater than the first, says the Lord. Although we have many differences, we must turn our eyes to this last House. Let us follow that which is perfect, and the way is love: "And above all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond" (Col. 3:14).