“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former.” — Haggai 2:9 (KJV)
The former house was shaped from clay.
“The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground.” — Genesis 2:7
Beautifully made, yet vulnerable to weakness, pain, ageing and death. Since sin entered, humanity has groaned in a house that is steadily returning to dust. Indeed, “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22).
But the groaning is not our conclusion. It is the labour pain of approaching glory.
At Christ’s appearing, the trumpet shall sound and the house of clay shall give way to the house of glory. The body sown in corruption shall be raised incorruptible; sown in weakness, it shall be raised in power.
“We shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” — 1 Corinthians 15:49
The former house carries Adam’s mortality.
The latter house will reveal Christ’s glory.
The former house returns to dust.
The latter house will never die.
The former house groans.
The latter house will sing.
“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.” — Philippians 3:21
Soon, creation’s groaning will be interrupted by the shout of the King. Graves will open. The saints will rise. Mortality will be swallowed up by life.
Then Hallelujah will swell the clouds at His appearing!
The glory of the latter house shall be greater—not because the clay will be repaired, but because the redeemed shall be raised and clothed in the likeness of Christ.
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” — Colossians 3:4