Haggai 2:8-9 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, said the LORD of hosts.… Comparing the two structures, the prophet saw, in the vision of the future, what was far more glorious than the splendour of the former house. It is in allusion to the advent of Christ that God says, "I will fill this house with glory." This was the one transcendent event which made the second temple more glorious than the first. The tabernacle and the temple, as the dwelling place of God on earth, continue still to be the central symbols of all the higher forms of human organisation. The sanctuary stands to-day — the visible throne of the Deity among men, the house of Divine authority and Divine worship, the fountain of light and life, of health and blessing, to all generations. 1. How and in what respects does Christ become the glory of the sanctuary? (1) In due time Christ withdrew His bodily presence, that His spiritual presence might abound. (2) Christ, in the sanctuary, survives every change and outlives every foe. (3) Christ, in the sanctuary, draws after Him the whole range of human intelligence and culture. (4) He propagates Himself and His Spirit in the souls of all believers; and(5) He adds new dignity and grandeur to human souls in themselves, both for the present and the future life. 2. What is the demonstration of this manifested glory of Christ in the sanctuary? (1) Every house of Christian worship is a testimony that God exists, and that His promises continue. (2) Every Christian temple is a visible protest against all forms of infidelity, and opposition to the Gospel scheme of redemption. (3) It is a sign of that everlasting covenant of peace which God has made with His people. (4) It is a dwelling-place of a spiritual Christ on earth. (5) It is a witness of the faithfulness and constancy of God's providence over His people. (B. Sunderland, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.WEB: The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,' says Yahweh of Armies. |
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