1. Introduction

Today, I will share a very impactful theme: God will shake heaven and earth. This comes from the Book of Haggai. We must believe that God will also shake heaven and earth in this era. I once visited the city of Ephesus in Jerusalem, which is now in ruins.

Last week, we talked about the flame of revival. When we desire it, this fire is within us. People have the ability to choose; we can decide to live like a flame or live like ashes. Last week, I saw a sister's testimony. When we talked about the fire of revival, the edema in her legs completely disappeared. When the fire came down, it restored a flourishing life. We are doing stories on this earth that are about eternity. Heaven and earth tell the stories of Abraham and Jacob. I think our stories will also be told in the future. There is not much hope in this world, but we have the hope of eternal life. Although serving is a bit hard, with hope, it becomes easier.

Jack Ma was once asked: Do you know if your company will survive a hundred years from now? He said he could see it in his eyes. We also know that the work we are doing now can last forever. The testimony of Sister Fangfang today is very wonderful. When facing eternity, people's problems become small problems.

2. Scripture: Haggai 2:6-9

“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; 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. ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘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)

3. Prayer:

Lord, I open my heart and invite You to do a shaking work in my life, to do a dismantling work in my life, to dismantle the old concepts within me, and to shape eternal concepts. May we, after the shaking, shine eternal light like gold and be glorious vessels, and may we become a blessing to all nations and peoples after the shaking.

4. Scripture Background

The background of this passage is about the Israelites returning from captivity in the Persian Empire. Some of them saw the temple built during the time of Solomon and then saw the temple built later, and they were very disappointed. The temple built during the time of King Solomon was wrapped in gold and was very magnificent. So God, through Zerubbabel, encouraged the people at that time, saying that the glory of the latter temple would be greater than the former. We must know that what Zerubbabel was talking about was not the temple at that time, but the temple built by the body of Jesus Christ later.

At that time, the Israelites were all minding their own business, and the Persian Empire came to plunder the Israelites. Later, forty years later, God visited the Israelites. But after these Israelites returned to Israel, they were busy building their own houses, and God's temple was desolate.

“You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. (Haggai 1:6-9, NKJV)

Before those days, when one came to a heap of twenty ephahs, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press, there were but twenty. I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,” says the Lord.(Haggai 2:16-17, NKJV)

We see that even after the shaking, people are still only minding their own business. Some time ago, I asked a brother: How are your finances? Still the same. Asked how is your health? Still the same. I really want to encourage the brothers and sisters today to know that building God's temple is very important. If you only care about yourself, you will miss the most important thing.

In Singapore, I heard a saying that family comes first. I am very sad. When did the family come before God? This kind of concept will cause God to leave, and the glory of the latter will be greater than the glory of the former.

Brothers and sisters, read the Book of Haggai carefully, and you will find the answer to the question. The Israelites learned a lesson at that time: when everyone builds their own houses and the temple of God is desolate, they are actually losing money themselves. Today, if you are still in the bondage of poverty, you must repent. Today, I met a brother who talked about an entrepreneur sister who loves the Lord very much. She loves the Lord very, very much and took this brother to read The Purpose Driven Life, etc., but her own physical problems are very serious. In fact, many years ago, I saw a similar situation. I came to a conclusion: that is, the church is weak. If the church loses the battle, the members will be weak; if the church wins, even the weakest brothers and sisters will fight. Today, we must learn to build a glorious church. I also want to tell the truth: I have not met a good pastor for so many years, so God encouraged me, and I am determined to be a good pastor. Although I also do things, serving is always the first priority. A pastor was diagnosed with cancer, and God gave him four words: Arise and fight. If we do not build a glorious church, and Christians do not rise up to fight, what should we do?

How important it is to build God's glorious church. A glorious church is won through battle. Another pastor talked about his history of blood and tears on the stage and was accused by a member, which was very hard. I was very moved in the audience. God gave me a revelation, that is, a glorious church of God has not been built. These things I saw shocked my concept very much. After I came back, I studied carefully and decided to build a glorious church, just like the vision of our church. This is the key to solving our problems, and we began to see God leading us step by step. The future church will also be more glorious than the current church. I am not using my own standards, but God's standards. So many of us are healed, it is precisely because God's glory is among us. Today, I will challenge: Sister Fangfang, you are healed today, and many people in our midst are healed, not because of you, but because someone paid like this before you came, so I encourage these brothers and sisters to commit themselves to the church and also bless those who come later.

If your heart is on your finances, you may not be able to turn around; if your heart is on your illness, you may not be able to experience a turnaround. If your illness is healed and your finances are turned around, and then you still have the perseverance to build God's church, this is very important. There was a brother who experienced a financial crisis and was about to go bankrupt and could only last for a month. His wife was lying in bed at the time and could not get out of bed. After I prayed, she could get out of bed and walk and climb mountains. After praying, he told me that her property could last for another month. After praying for a period of time, he told me that his property did not need to be sold, and then the person left.

If you just read the vision, build a holy, glorious, truth-abiding, and victorious church of elite soldiers. Our current church is more glorious than in the past; and in the future, we will be more glorious than now. Because we are building the church strictly according to God's Word. Everyone sees that so many of us are healed because we are a victorious church. Sister Fangfang has received grace in our midst, not because of you, but because there was a group of people who committed themselves to the church and gave themselves completely to build a glorious church. Then I also encourage you to become a person who builds a triumphant church after you come to us, and then the brothers and sisters who come after you will also be blessed.

If your heart is only on your own affairs and you only care about yourself, then your problems cannot be turned around. There was a brother who was very lovely. His company was about to go bankrupt and he was about to sell his property. His wife was paralyzed in bed for 9 months and came to the church. I prayed for him, his wife could get out of bed and walk, and his finances were turned around, and he did not need to sell his property. As a result, he left the church. He didn't even think about what to do if the previous disaster came again. People are in such a situation because they once took the wrong path.

6. A Glorious and Victorious Church: The Answer to All Our Problems

You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but are not satisfied; you drink, but are not filled; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. (Haggai 1:6)

Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. (Haggai 1:10)

Haggai speaks of a people who are concerned with their own houses, while God’s house lies in ruins. Consequently, God’s blessing departs from them, and indeed, God causes them to suffer loss. Brothers and sisters, be wise. When God’s house lies in ruins, no remedy can reverse the situation. God wants us to know that only what cannot be shaken will last forever. If the Israelites are willing to turn back and rebuild the temple, even though it may not rival Solomon’s temple in grandeur, God is pleased with their return. The latter glory will surpass the former. God desires glory in Christ Jesus and in the church. Your healed body and financial turnaround are manifestations of God's glory.

Yesterday, I spoke with some computer programmers. I told them how fortunate they are to have a good mentor. My own journey has been arduous, lacking a guiding mentor. Today, we, as brothers and sisters, have a good pastor and a good church. Cherish this and participate in building God's glorious church, and God will bless you. However, if your mindset remains unchanged, God will shake your life.

God shook the Israelites, using the Babylonian Empire to attack them, so that they would turn back to Him. This was God shaking their minds, urging them to build their foundations on eternal things.

7. God Will Shake Heaven and Earth! God Will Shake You and Me!

Your financial turnaround, faith, and healing are all the result of God’s shaking. Whatever is shaken and remains is glorious. The latter temple is built by brothers and sisters united in heart and mind. If you are sick or facing financial problems today, it is due to issues with your value system.

Do not think you are shortchanging God; you are shortchanging yourselves. We must now set our minds anew on the things of God. We must now act by faith.

8. That the Permanent May Remain

God will shake heaven and earth. Our financial turnarounds and healings are the result of God shaking. Today, we long for God to shake our value systems. God will shake heaven and earth so that His glory may be revealed.

The words “once more” indicate the removing of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:27-29)

God’s shaking brings many opportunities. We must be certain of God’s will. Dismantle value systems that do not align with God’s heart. Let what is permanent remain. The latter glory of the church will surpass the former. We must seize God’s blessings and not be enamored with money.

9. Conclusion: The Latter Glory of the Church Will Surpass the Former!

Continuously pursue and bring God’s kingdom and glory to earth. How esteemed we are in God's eyes! The treasures of all nations (those with faith) are added to us, building a glorious church. May God’s glory fill us all.