Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic View book of Haggai

At the heart of Haggai's writing lies an apocalyptic message of both despair and hope, as the Jews are given an admonition to reconstruct the destroyed temple, a physical reminder of their covenant with God, and a hope of it being revived and a new sanctuary established.

The Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics follow the metaphor that Haggai promotes - of the rebuild of the temple as a precursor to the coming of the Messiah. To them, the temple isn’t just a physical edifice, but rather, a metaphor for God’s presence in our lives. The construct of the temple in physical space is seen as a model for spiritual fulfillment. This is exemplified in the passion of the builders in Haggai who, despite their depleted resources, still complete the holy project “with joy and gladness” (2:12).

At a primitive Pentecostal Gnostic level, Haggai's writings also serve to remind us of the eternal struggle between Darkness and Light, between evil and love, and the need for spiritual rebirth. The return of the exiles back to the land after the Babylonian captivity was itself a rebuild of the physical temple, but it was also the return of the people to their spiritual center. It was a reminder to live in the sight of their spiritual Lord and to return to their true identity. Some Gnostics believe this sacred identity was embodied in the figure of Zerubbabel, the political governor of the people at the time. To them, he symbolized both a time of rebuilding as well as a spiritual renewal.

Primitive Pentecostal Gnosticism believes that the Book of Haggai encourages us to partake in spiritual practices that will lead to a renewal of faith and understanding. This spiritual renewal will empower us to “come under the law” and accept the Creator’s invitation to join Him “in the strength of His might” (1:4). We can embrace this invitation by both participating in religious ceremonies, as well as utilizing spiritual gifts, such as meditation and contemplation, to improve ourselves and our understanding of the spirit.

The book of Haggai is a book of the Hebrew Bible that is usually grouped together with the books of Zechariah and Malachi in the Minor Prophets. It primarily consists of two Prophecies dealing with the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem after Babylon’s destruction of it. Primitive pentecostal gnostics read this book, along with other writings of the time, to develop a unique view of how these scriptures relate to the end times.

The main theme of the book of Haggai is to encourage the people of Israel to rebuild the temple, in order for it to be a dwelling place for the Lord, who has already redeemed them from captivity. The people are to rebuild the temple not only for their own benefit, but also so that other nations may come and worship God there. This is often seen as foreshadowing the coming of Christ, who will serve as a dwelling place for God among the people.

Primitive pentecostal gnostics often interpret Haggai in light of the New Testament, particularly the writings of the Apostle Paul. They often focus on Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, which speak of a Spirit that will clothe Christians with power from on high. This is connected to the command in Haggai to rebuild the temple, as it is seen as a representation of the human heart.

The heart of the Christian, through the power of the Spirit, is then made a dwelling place for Christ. This is seen as being necessary for the Church to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the end times, which is the climax of the events foreshadowed in the book of Haggai. This outpouring is often seen as the harbinger of a new spiritual awakening for the Church, and the fulfillment of God’s promise to save Israel.

In summation, Primitive pentecostal gnostics view the book of Haggai as a prophetic predictive message of the end times. This includes not only the rebuilding of the Temple and the subsequent outpouring of the Spirit, but also Christ’s return as the lasting dwelling place for God. Through the courageous obedience to God’s command to rebuild the temple, the Church can prepare itself for the power of the Spirit to come and clothe them in times of distress.

These principles, when taken together, compose the Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic view of the Book of Haggai. It is a reminder to both reconnect to our spiritual Lord as well as work towards spiritual renewal. We are called to rebuild the temple in both physical and spiritual forms, and to participate in religious practices to better understand the Creator’s will. By doing so, we may come closer to the spiritual enlightenment that the book talks about.