Hello Beloved,
As we continue our study of the names and titles of Jesus, we are currently in the Old Testament. Last month, we considered the title of Jesus as “Branch.” This month we will consider the messianic title: “The Desire of All Nations.” During the return from exile, under the leadership of Joshua and Zerubbabel, the people of God were beginning to show signs of discouragement with the building of the Second Temple. It simply did not have the regality and the architectural beauty of the temple that Solomon had built. Further, there were articles that would be missing from the Second Temple that were in that of the first, among which included the ark of the covenant with the mercy seat and the very Shekinah glory of God. To encourage the Jews in the rebuilding of the temple, Haggai wrote,
6 "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 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. 8 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts. 9 The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the LORD of hosts." Haggai 2:6-9 (NKJV)
The shaking here most likely refers to the earthquake that occurs during Christ’s second coming and the period surrounding the battle of Armageddon. It is after our Lord’s return that He will set up the Millennial kingdom and the nations will adorn the future temple with their wealth. However, a traditional title for Christ seems to be tucked into the seventh verse of this text, a title that is debated in some circles. Nevertheless, as we see in the New King James Bible, it is possible to see in this text a title for Christ as “the Desire of all Nations.” In line with this interpretation, we see Christ, as the glory of God, fill His temple. It is true that the Shekinah glory of God was absent in the dedication of the Second Temple, and the glory of God returning to the temple could be perceived as partially fulfilled in Christ’s first coming when the baby Jesus entered the temple. Simeon described Jesus as, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:32 (ESV). Nevertheless, it is clear that Haggai is referring to Jesus’ second coming in Haggai 2:6-9. At that time, Christ will be King and Lord of all the nations. This is why we continue to pray, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:20 (ESV) Someone once wrote of Jesus:
To the horticulturist He is the True Vine.
To the judge He is the Righteous Judge, the Judge of all men.
To the juror He is the Faithful and True Witness.
To the jeweler He is the Pearl of Great Price.
To the lawyer He is Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.
To the newspaper man He is the Good News of Great Joy.
To the philanthropist He is the Unspeakable Gift.
To the philosopher He is the Wisdom of God.
To the preacher He is the Word of God.
To the sculptor He is the Living Stone.
To the statesman He is the Desire of all Nations.
(Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.)
Until next time, this is Pastor Daniel writing, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”