“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 2:7)

God promised after 70 years of captivity, a remnant of Jews would be allowed to return to Jerusalem. The first group was under the leadership of Zerubbabel in 536 BC. Their first mission was to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians. This would be a challenging and sometimes discouraging work, thus God employed prophets like Haggai to encourage the people.

The message of these prophets would also include a glimpse of Israel’s future glory in Jesus Christ. While the message of Haggai was to encourage the temple builders to complete their mission, the full significance of this passage would only be realized in the work of the Messiah. The word “desire” suggests something that is pleasant, valuable, or beautiful. What is the desire of the nations?

All nations have desired a visible God; and such a revealed deity has been given to mankind in Jesus Christ. According to Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:11), God put eternity in the hearts of men. It seems that with mankind there is a universal instinct for worship. Those of every society have a longing for a god that is more than just a conception of the mind, but a being who is infinitely exalted, and one to whom they could enter into fellowship. Jesus Christ claimed to be that god, and the object of religious contemplation and worship. He claimed to be the image of the invisible God, saying “I and my father are one“ (John 10:30), and “he who has seen me has seen the father.““ (John 14:9)

Along with their longing for God, humans also possess a sense of unfitness to enter into fellowship with God. Thus, wherever men have sought fellowship with God, he also had an altar. Such altars were reserved for offering sacrifices out of a sense of impurity and the need for mercy. Only Jesus Christ, the longing of the nations, can supply the need of the human heart, and satisfy the justice of God. (John 1:29; 1 Timothy 2:5)

Not only have men sought divine favor from God, but also desired trustworthy information from God. A direct connection with God has been explored in various ways: either through signs in the sky, a phenomena of nature, or through seers and sages. Some of these religions, such as Islam, Brahmanism, or Hinduism, have “sacred” books that supposedly reveal divine truths. But when Jesus came into the world, men would marvel at his teaching. “The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:46). And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”(Matthew 7:28,29) God, though his prophets, has given us a book, the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16) that teach his marvelous truths.

In almost all of man’s religions, there is belief of a future life beyond the grave. Both Hindus and Muslims believe in some sort of system of rewards and consequences that are realized after death. Even certain skeptics and philosophers have candidly revealed a longing for something better than life on earth. Jesus Christ answers man’s inquiries about the future life with clear and convincing information in comparison to the teachings of all other religions. With the appearing of Jesus Christ, death was abolished and life and immortality were offered through the gospel.

Both philosophy and history show that only Christ meets all the moral longings of humanity. The moral craving of humanity is satisfied in Christ, and in Christ only. Man desires reconciliation to his Creator. Man deeply desires an inner harmony of soul. This is the desire of the nations! This is offered only through Jesus Christ, the son of God.

By George Slover 
 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” ( 2 Corinthians 4:17)

This passage reminds me of a sister in Christ I knew about 30 years ago. My frequent visits were used to cheer a grieving, pessimistic heart. I'm sure the dreaded Parkinson’s disease did not help her outlook. It was my hope that the words above would lighten the burden as they have for so many others. 

The affliction mentioned here specifically refers to those of Paul because of his work as an apostle. The suffering of Paul would appear to be anything but light. (Corinthians 11:24-28) The same is true of the suffering of so many Believers. Yet, Paul says they are “light”. How is that possible? They are "light" because in comparison to eternity, they last only for a moment.

The author then says that such afflictions can produce beneficial results. To encourage his reader, Paul uses a strong expression: working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,”. They are not just leading to glory, but to and exceeding weight of glory. 

While we are still in this mortal body, these afflictions can also be used to mold character. Such adversity can be used to wean us this from the world, it can help to purify our hearts and break the cycle of sin. It can help us to look to God for consolation, and help us to think of heaven.

In this verse and other passages, the state of the righteous is described as "glory". Romans 2:7,10) The true glory of man is the condition in which God created him before he fell. (Romans 3:23) The believer awaits a marvelous and renewed condition in eternity. 1 John 3:2) 

While in the midst of sorrow and affliction, we must remember that with God decay and death have no power over us. We can use those afflictions to mold our character and to hope and anticipate the final revelation of God's glory.

By George Slover 
 

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (Hebrews 2:14)

That God became a man is the world’s most incredible story. The son of God entered the world as a baby, lived a human life, and died a human death as a show of his marvelous love for unworthy sinners. What more does this text teach? 

First, the passage tells us that Jesus became a man. He took on flesh and blood. He had a human body subject to pain, hunger and thirst. He had a soul that felt both love and hate, and was both joyful and sad. All of these feelings were real and not pretended. His Godhead did not lessen the infirmities of his humanity.

Second, Jesus became a man so that he might die. Other men die because they are human, and death is unavoidable, but Jesus assumed our nature for the express purpose of acquiring the capability of dying. He could have chosen to live many years in this world, healing the sick and teaching the people, and then, like Elijah, be suddenly lifted to heaven. Instead, he chose to die. And he experienced an extremely painful death.

Third, by his death and resurrection, Christ destroyed Satan, the one who had the power of death. Death is the result of sin in the world, and Satan is the one who propagates it. Satan kindles the passions which lead to sin and death – anger, lawlessness, and murder. He strikes terror and dread into those who contemplate death.

Fourth, Jesus chose to die to deliver man from the bondage of fear. The dread of death holds us in bondage. Jesus sacrificed himself as an atonement for the sin Satan promotes. Christ’s death and resurrection can remove the guilt of sin, and offer the promise of eternal life. Jesus Christ took the sting out of death.

One who accepts Jesus on his terms, (Acts 2:38) and gives their life to him, can enter into a covenant relationship with God. They join a brotherhood where the Lord is their big brother and leader leading them toward heaven.

By George Slover

“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Hebrews 2:10) 

The crucifixion of Christ, the Savior is a fundamental foundation of Christianity. It was fitting or necessary for one, like him, who was sinless to die to accomplish God’s mission of redemption. By God’s grace, Jesus, his son tasted death for this purpose. 

By the offering of his son, God brought many sons to glory. Jesus is the “son of God”. Those redeemed by him are “sons of God”. What a marvelous blessing for us to be able to call the Creator of heaven and earth "our Father”. (Matthew 6:9)

If God is our father, then Jesus is our older brother. Jesus, the Savior is not ashamed to call those who have received his forgiveness his brethren. (vs.11) The idea of a brother represents a fellowship of love, and family. How wonderful to think this familia relationship was made possible by the death of God’s own son.

The New Testament describes this blessed state with various terms. Those who are God’s sons are “adopted”. (Ephesians 1:5) Though not belonging to God, nor deserving, God willingly claims the sinner as his own. As God's son they become heirs of God's marvelous promises. “Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:7)

Finally, the text says it was “fitting for God to bring many sons to glory”. This salvation originates with God and glorifies him. God so identified with man, so fixed his eyes on him, that he could not leave man in his lost state, but desired to call them his sons!

God is calling you from your helpless state of sin to this an exalted position. Will you receive him?

By George Slover

I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly. 
(Psalm 40:9,10)

David is singing the praises of God. He is extolling the righteousness of God to the congregation. He is shouting the good news. But what prompts this outburst of praise? 

When the song begins we find David in the middle of a horrible pit and miry clay. This describes one who is deep down in the middle of depression. He is sinking in despair. There seems to be no rest, nor way of escape.

There was a cry to God for help. David waits patiently for God's answer of mercy. There is a delay in God’s reply. The wait is long! But finally, God lifts him from the sinking pit and sets him high up on a rock.

The Psalmist’s first response is a surrender of will, heart, and life to God. God wanted more than sacrifice and offering. There must be ears (vs. 6) that are tuned to God, and a heart (vs. 8) that the delights in his will. Without this all else is vain.

Along with the consecrated life is a proclamation of God's loving kindness, righteousness, and faithfulness. Gratitude prompts a strong desire to declare God's goodness. Such declarations are made by both the spoken word, and a godly life.

Will you join the Psalmist in shouting the good news to a lost world? A contemplation of the depth of your own sin, the completeness of your restoration, and the wonders of redemption should bring forth praise to God. 

By George Slover