Rebuilding the Temple: God’s Promise to You!

Last week, I explored Scriptures about rebuilding the temple and God’s promises to the Jewish Remnant through His prophets, Haggai and Zechariah.

Then, two days ago, I picked up one of my dozens of old journals. Surprisingly, it spontaneously opened to my 2017 note entry on the same topic – rebuilding the temple. Coincidence? I instinctively knew I needed to take a second look at God’s beautiful promises, shared at the end of this post.

The Remnant Rebuild Houses

At the end of seventy years of exile in Babylon (around 538 BC)¹, Jerusalem was desolate. The once majestic temple was rubble, the city walls lay ruined, and the houses were uninhabitable.

The repatriated Jews approached their work diligently. Despite the odds, they repaired their dwelling spaces and planted crops. However, due to drought, the land yielded no harvest.

Can you not relate to the frustration of expending much effort to reap few rewards? 

In the second year of King Darius (around 520 BC)¹, the Jews were still struggling. God, in His infinite mercy, desired to help them. So, He sent a message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest.  

Rebuilding the Temple of the Lord

Look, you’ve rebuilt your own houses; when will you start rebuilding the temple?  Can’t you see that you have little return for all your hard work? That’s because you haven’t rebuilt My House. Change your priorities! Go to the mountains for wood and rebuild My House so I can bless you! (Haggai 1:2-11, my own revised version)

Zerubbabel heeded the word of the Lord and led the Remnant in the monumental task. Nevertheless, he did so humbly, knowing the new temple would not be even close to as magnificent as the former. Designed by the infamous King David and constructed by His wise and wealthy son, King Solomon, the earlier temple had its foundations laid with precious stones. Solomon used abundant gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as significant quantities of onyx, costly jewels, marble, and imported cedar wood from Tyre (1 Chronicles 29:1-5, 1 Kings 5).

God, who answers our thoughts, sent His people an encouraging word. Now, centuries later, His Word still stirs promise in the hearts of those who “hear” it.

God’s Promise for Rebuilding the Temple

After the instruction to build the temple, God made a tremendous promise to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people. (Again, I paraphrase) –

Which of the remnants is still alive to remember the previous temple? Doesn’t this new one look like nothing in comparison? I am a Covenant-keeping God, and I tell you the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former. Has there been any harvest? Yet, because you have obeyed Me, from the day the foundation of the temple was laid, from this day, I will bless you! I am with you, and I have chosen you. (Haggai 2:4-9,18-19)

Through prophet Zechariah, God instructed Zerubbabel to speak Grace! Grace! to this colossal project. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).

Then God told Joshua that He would bring the Messiah. He also set a stone with seven eyes (7 spirits of God) before Joshua to symbolize the coming Cornerstone (Lord Jesus Christ). (Even though history reveals many rejected Jesus when He came.) (Zechariah 3: 8-9, 4:10, Isaiah 11:1-3, Matthew 21:42-44, Revelation 5:6)

Rebuilding Our Temples

We are the body and temple of Jesus Christ. When we first come to the Lord, it is a glorious season! You may recall that our rebirth is like the magnificence of springtime. We experience rapid growth, an abundance of peace, and miracles lurking around every corner. 

In time, life becomes busy, or we fall into routines or, sometimes, into sin. For varying reasons, we drift away, and our temples fall into disrepair. Then, whether because of a life circumstance or an inspiring word or finding out the world has nothing of lasting value to offer, we recognize the need for a fresh start. So, we obediently begin the rebuilding process. Notwithstanding, we may see neither glory nor reward for a period. Just our deep sense of responsibility, knowing we are doing what we ought.

Still, the same promises given to Zerubbabel and Joshua are for us. With the Cornerstone, Lord Jesus, as our Foundation, everything built upon this proper Foundation is blessed. The Lord clothes us with beautiful mantles and garments of praise and speaks great Grace to strengthen us.

Rebuilding the Temple of the Body of Christ

I sense, and perhaps you do, too, that the Holy Spirit is rebuilding the body of Christ. After the erosion caused by religion, the infiltration of worldliness, and the realization that deep darkness engulfs many people, we are awakening. We recognize our need for a fresh start infused by God’s glory and power. (Isaiah 60:2)

Jesus answered and said unto them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days, I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)

Dear friends, we are in the Third Day! (Hosea 6:2). What ambitious task has God called you to do as part of the rebuilding project that cannot be accomplished by your might or power? If you are willing, receive God’s promise to you as to the Remnant. God is with you, and you will succeed!

• Since you have laid the foundation for My temple with My chief Cornerstone, Jesus, His Hands working through you will faithfully finish rebuilding My temple. (Phillipians 1:6)
• Ask Me for rain in this season of the latter rain. For the glory of the latter house will be greater than any prior revival. (Zechariah 10:1, Haggai 2:9)
• Consider your ways! Receive new garments of beauty and praise without spot, wrinkle or blemish. (Ephesians 5:27)
• Receive a renewed mind by My written Word and My rhema Word that I send through My prophets. (Romans 12:2)
• Let your hands be strong. I have chosen you, and I am with you! (Haggai 2:4)
• Speak Grace! Grace! By My Spirit, for from this day, I will bless you! (Zechariah 4: 6-7; Haggai 2:18-19)

Amen.

References:

¹ Timeline of Judaism after the Babylonian Exile (538 BCE-70 CE) (jewishvirtuallibrary.org)