God's Timing

[Kenny64]

Notice that God’s intent is to reveal (“make it plain” - not mysterious) but that the vision is “yet for an appointed time.” God, through Habakkuk, tells us in this passage that we need to learn to wait for the appointed time when the prophetic truth will come to pass even though it tarries. It is my view that much prophetic teaching suffers from an unwillingness to wait on God to bring the predicted conditions about. Rather than believing what a passage clearly states, we abandon the clearly communicated details (e.g., a “city” named “Babylon”) in favor of speculation because we desire to find fulfillment in a time or manner where it is not to be found. But what is this if not the sin of unbelief?

How much better to consider the Scriptural principle conveyed by Habakkuk 2:2-3:


Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”


God’s Timing in Prophetic Fulfillment | Bible Prophecy Blog

[FaithInChrist]

I prefer to follow in the footsteps of earlier interpreters who went out on a limb in claiming that one day Israel would be back in the land as a sovereign nation. At the time they made such predictions it was considered highly implausible, even laughable. Yet these interpreters believed what a straight-forward interpretation of passages in the OT seemed to indicate. Look at the situation now, ever since 1948! In hindsight it seems simple to believe now, but at the time these who held to such an interpretation were in the minority because it was still over the horizon. Yet they had faith in what the text said and also the necessity of taking the text at face value. And so I believe it will be concerning the literal city of Babylon.

Very good analogy. It will be obvious when Babylon is rebuilt, if we are here to see it happen.

[acceptedinthebeloved]

Interesting post.

God's Timing

Notice that God’s intent is to reveal (“make it plain” - not mysterious) but that the vision is “yet for an appointed time.” God, through Habakkuk, tells us in this passage that we need to learn to wait for the appointed time when the prophetic truth will come to pass even though it tarries. It is my view that much prophetic teaching suffers from an unwillingness to wait on God to bring the predicted conditions about. Rather than believing what a passage clearly states, we abandon the clearly communicated details (e.g., a “city” named “Babylon”) in favor of speculation because we desire to find fulfillment in a time or manner where it is not to be found. But what is this if not the sin of unbelief?

I prefer to follow in the footsteps of earlier interpreters who went out on a limb in claiming that one day Israel would be back in the land as a sovereign nation. At the time they made such predictions it was considered highly implausible, even laughable. Yet these interpreters believed what a straight-forward interpretation of passages in the OT seemed to indicate. Look at the situation now, ever since 1948! In hindsight it seems simple to believe now, but at the time these who held to such an interpretation
were in the minority because it was still over the horizon. Yet they had faith in what the text said and also the necessity of taking the text at face value.

I own some commentaries from the 1800's written by men who believed that Israel must become a nation again, in order for the promises (made to Israel) to be literally fulfilled, and by going solely by the Word of God and not what they could view taking place around them (for this was well before Israel actually became a nation again in 1948). I admire them greatly, because they stood for the truth (and on the truth) despite what the majority thought, in opposition! And I agree we should do the same! (Meaning, not looking to the news, but to His Word.)

Just some random thoughts:

Habakkuk 2:2-3 -

And the LORD 3068 answered 6030 me, and said 559 , Write 3789 the vision 2377, and make [it] plain 874 upon tables 3871, that he may run 7323 that readeth 7121 it.

For the vision 2377 [is] yet for an appointed time 4150 [mow'ed], but at the end 7093 it shall speak 6315 , and not lie 3576 : though it tarry 4102 , wait 2442 for it; because it will surely 935 come 935 , it will not tarry 309.


Bolded above ("an appointed time"--H4150--"MOW'ED"), is the word also used for (only) 3 of Israel's feasts (the THREE "pilgrim" feast/festivals: Unleavened Bread/Passover, Shavuot/Pentecost, and Tabernacles - see Ex 23:14-17; Deut 16:16; 2 Chron 8:13, etc--[though not of Trumpets]).

Also, the phrasing is similar to the words in Daniel 8:19, 11:27, 11:35, "the end shall be at the time appointed [mow'ed - H4150]."
"The end" which I believe it is referring to is "the end" just before His promised/prophesied earthly Millennial Kingdom begins (i.e. the time immediately preceding His Second Coming, to the earth [i.e. the end of the trib]... the same "the end" which Jesus' disciples inquired of Him about, in Matthew 24:3, etc).

The phrase at the end of the sentence (underlined in Habakkuk 2:3 above) is also similar to the one found in Hebrews 10:36, 37, 38, 37 esp. "For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry."

Genesis 18:14 is the first mention of the phrase "the time appointed" (though "mow'ed" is used earlier, in Gen 1:14, first; Gen 17:21, second), and which verse (3rd usage) also contains the phrase, "according to the time of life," which many scholars say is an idiom which means, "in the spring-time." So, in that particular verse (Gen 18:14) it uses both the phrase "the time appointed [mow'ed]" AND "according to the time of life [i.e. spring]" (which is, of course, also when one of the three "pilgrim festivals" would take place: Unleavened Bread/Passover).


Another verse where "mow'ed" (H4150) is used is in:

Jeremiah 8:7 -

Yea, the stork 2624 in the heaven 8064 knoweth 3045 her appointed times 4150; and the turtle 8449 and the crane 5483 and the swallow 5693 observe 8104 the time 6256 of their coming 935; but my people 5971 know 3045 not the judgment 4941 of the LORD 3068.

Of course, during the future tribulation period (particularly the second half--Daniel 12:9, 10), and the words in Daniel which were sealed up "till the time of the end," then will be true that "the wise shall understand" (what has already been written therein).

God's Timing?

"The end shall be at the time appointed [mow'ed]."

Interesting stuff indeed!