#28Suffering & Death
The LORD Comes to His Temple
The glory of the Second Temple would surpass the First — requiring a messianic visitation before 70 CE.
The Prophecy
Haggai 2:6-9
~520 BCE
In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD Almighty. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.
Manuscript Attestation
Dead Sea Scrolls Minor Prophets fragments; all codices.
Ancient Jewish Interpretation
Debarim Rabbah 1 applies this messianically.
The Fulfillment
Luke 2:27-32
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations." (Luke 2:28-31)
Narrative Context
Haggai prophesied that the glory of the Second Temple would surpass the First Temple. The Second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, requiring any fulfillment before that date.
The Evidence
The Second Temple stood from approximately 516 BCE to 70 CE. Haggai's prophecy that its glory would exceed Solomon's Temple requires a messianic visitation during this window. The destruction of the Temple in 70 CE (documented by Josephus and confirmed by archaeology) creates an absolute historical deadline.