April 4: ALL NATIONS SHAKEN
For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and the 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. Haggai 2:6-7
After the Babylonian exile, the prophet Haggai was prompted to urge God’s people in the rebuilding of the temple. They were back in their land, but their personal affairs had constantly interfered with their heavenly Father’s business. Haggai was calling the people to renew their confidence in the Lord, and to seek to live holy lives. In every age, future blessings are contingent up present obedience. After all, it is God who is in control of the future. Though we can’t see the future, we can follow the One who does. In Haggai’s day, well over a dozen years after returning to their homeland, the people were dragging their feet.
The spiritual parallel with our day is striking. God’s last-day people throughout the world should all be living in the “homeland” of His Word. We are instructed to build His temple by building upon the truths of God. His people are the temple of the Lord on the earth (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). We are to be about our Father’s business daily. He wants to fill us, His temple, with glory.
There is a special prophetic significance in today’s opening verse. Before the second coming of the Desire of All Nations (this is Jesus, and He has people in every nation), He will allow the shaking of heaven and earth, the sea and the dry land. Notice that these words are contained in many foundational and prophetic passages.** They remind us of God’s role as Creator of all. In the last days, the sea (or water) is symbolic for the usurping beast power that ruled during the Dark Ages (Revelation 13:1-10). The earth (or dry land) symbolizes the second beast that arose as the first beast received its deadly wound (vv.11-17). Together, these beasts comprise spiritual Babylon, a composite of all false worship. They gather together* in their attempt to engulf the whole world.
God has many people who have yet to return to the “homeland” described in the Bible. He is calling His people out of Babylon (18:1-4) and into heavenly citizenship (Philippians 3:20). Many do not know that they are in Babylon. In spite of the ready availability of God’s Word, Biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high. Many trust in what they are told by religious leaders without checking the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Still others, well aware of distinctive biblical truths, refuse to accept them because they are unpopular. These distinctive truths equip God’s faithful ones to discern Babylon’s encroachments, for she has one (or more) counterfeit teachings for every truth of God.
Before Jesus comes to gather His bride (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), He will shake heaven and earth. Many will be converted through prayer and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual eyes will be opened. Millions will accept His salvation and enter God’s kingdom, free of their chains.
*Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me… All day they twist my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil. They gather together, they hide, they mark my steps, when they lie in wait for my life. Psalm 56:1,5-6
**Genesis 1:31-2:2; Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6,14; Psalm 146:6; Isaiah 66:22-23; Acts 4:24-27; 14:14-15; Revelation 10:5-6; 12:12; 14:7; 21:1