Introduction to the Messianic Prophecies of the Second Temple

The mood of Israel after she was allowed back into her homeland by Cyrus king of Persia was certainly an upbeat one.  For after 70 years of living as captives in a foreign land they were finally able to come back home.  Not only were they able to come home, they were also permitted to build a Temple.  One to replace that which Babylon had destroyed.

Yet after the faithful in Israel were finally able to complete the Temple we see in Haggai 2 that there were mixed feelings amongst the people.  Because although it was great to have a holy place of worship again, those who remembered the former Sanctuary knew that it did not compare to the glory of Solomon's Temple that had stood less than a hundred years earlier.  And while it was wonderful to be back home they still were under the authority of the nation of Persia.

Such was the emotional atmosphere of Israel in those days and it was into such an environment that God began to release Promise to His people through His prophets.  What was the Word that God was releasing in that day?  There was coming One, the One, who would deliver His people from all their enemies.

So for the next 4 weeks we will study the Messianic prophecies of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi - the 3 prophets who ministered during this period - and will consider in our hearts that God sent His Son to dwell among us.