The Lord says, And in this place I will give peace.
The temple’s latter glory will not be purely external. Peace (shalom) involves wholeness and fruitfulness. It encompasses the blessings of the Messianic age: reconciliation with God (Psalm 85:8, Psalm 85:10), the reign of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6–7), healing through the Servant’s suffering (Isaiah 53:5), harmony between priest and king (Zechariah 6:13), and covenant fidelity (Malachi 2:5). It is the total restoration of all relationships—between man and God, man and fellow man, and man and the created order. Shalom is not achieved through human effort but through the One who is his people’s peace (John 14:27; John 16:33; John 20:19–21).1 The New Testament indeed shows that the peace promised in Haggai 2:9 is inaugurated in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul develops the theme in Ephesians 2:14–17: Christ is our peace, he makes peace, and he proclaims peace. This triple announcement occurs in the context of the new covenant people, where Jews and Gentiles—once hostile—are reconciled in one body. The peace Haggai foresaw is now experienced by those united to Christ.
We do not yet see the world at peace; the nations still rage against the Prince of Peace. Yet those who have been raised with Christ (Ephesians 2:5) already receive his peace. We are called to maintain this peace within the church (Ephesians 4:3) and to proclaim it through the gospel (Ephesians 6:15), until the day when Christ returns and makes all things new.
When the glory comes to the new temple, and God once more dwells among his people, the result will be full salvation, blessing, stability, and flourishing. What a healing balm for a discouraged people! What a truly glorious promise!
9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’”