Psalm 30, 32; Haggai 2:1-9; Rev. 3:1-6; Matt. 24:1-14
Some of those present could indeed say they had seen the temple in its former glory but they would be quite old. Certainly what they now saw could in no way compare to that temple. They would, however, be relieved to see it now under re-construction to hope for the future after the long exile and their last memory of a city destroyed and the temple defiled. Haggai makes an important promise, that the Lord was with them as they worked and would be with them to complete the work. Is there any greater encouragement imaginable than that in the building of the kingdom and yet that is exactly the promise Jesus made as He ascended. Do we trust Him for that promise?
Where Haggai exhorts the people to rebuild the temple Jesus says it will be thrown down and that this is not an altogether bad thing. The temple has become less a place of worship than a place of pride and an end in itself. As we read yesterday, Jesus revealed their true beliefs about things in that the temple itself was the important thing, not the presence of the Lord which made it both holy and important. Without the presence of the Lord, it was just another building even if it was dedicated to Him. We need always to remember the presence of the Lord among His people is the important thing, not the building, we are the temple by the power of the Holy Spirit and not just me, but you, and all Christians and we need to treat one another with that in mind. Jesus gives an enigmatic answer to their query concerning when the temple will fall in that such things happen at all times. Due diligence is always required concerning understanding the world and the times in which we live and all times may be the end times.
“You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” Now, do I have your attention? Surely this letter got the attention of the church at Sardis which seemingly had a good reputation among churches. The truth, however, is quite different from God’s perspective. They are called to do as the people were called to do under Haggai, make a proper estimation of things and get to work. They were to revive what wasn’t dead but was asleep to remember what they knew, keep it, and repent. There was the possibility of immediate judgment on this renowned church. We aren’t called to renown, we are called to be faithfulness. Do we dare take a realistic spiritual examination of our church today?
I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.
There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.
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