Text:
Habakkuk 2:3:
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Theme:
The Vision Is Yet To Come
Introduction:
- The Book of Habakkuk, which means embrace, is the eighth of the twelve minor prophets. Of his personal history we have no reliable information. He was probably a member of the Levitical choir. He prophesied during the time of Jeremiah and Zephaniah.
- The first chapter depicts the oppression of his people at the hands of the Chaldeans.
- The second chapter expresses the revelation of the Chaldeans being punished for their wrongdoings.
- The third chapter synthesizes the first two chapters in the form of a poetical tribute to God’s delivering His Chosen People – it actually serves as a “worshipful writing”.
- An interesting allusion to the Book of Habakkuk is when the Apostle Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 in a very familiar passage in Romans 1:17, “The just shall live by his faith”
- The text is found in the second chapter of the book where Habakkuk receives the vision of God’s punishing the Chaldeans for their wrongdoings.
- As it says in Habakkuk 2:9, “Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!”
- What is a VISION?
- Simply put, a VISION is “a vivid apparition…not a dream”
- It is an enactment of a realistic occurrence – No pink elephants in a visionJ
- It is the presentation of what has not happened yet – No childhood memories in a visionJ
- A vision is a revelation of a reality that is yet to come
- Hence, our topic è THE VISION IS YET TO COME
- Simply put, a VISION is “a vivid apparition…not a dream”
Body:
- God uses the vision to bring revelation to His children:
- It is verified by Hosea 12:10, “I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.”
- We can find many examples of visions being used by God to communicate to his children:
- Abraham in Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
- Joshua in Joshua 5:13, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand:”
- Isaiah in Isaiah 6:1, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”
- Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1:1, “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.”
- Daniel in Daniel 1:17, “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”
- Obadiah in Obadiah 1:1, “The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.”
- Habakkuk, the writer of our text, in Habakkuk 2:2, “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”
- John the Baptist in Luke 3:22, “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”
- Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:1, “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”
- The visions of God are critical to the sustenance and survival of the believer.
- Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
- NO VISION indicates NO LEADERSHIP with ordains NO HOPE and ensures NO VICTORY!!
- Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
- The primary requirement for one to receive the visions from God is that they be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Joel 2:28 (and Acts 2:17), “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”
- Acts 7:55, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,”
- You can’t see what you don’t have!
- You can’t go where you don’t know!
Conclusion:
- The text in the Book of Habakkuk highlights a specific impact of visions à the anticipation of the revealed reality!
- “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
- “the vision is yet for an appointed time”
- Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
- We may not know when but God knows!!
- Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
- “at the end it shall speak, and not lie”
- It may not be clear now but…
- 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
- 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
- It may not be clear now but…
- “though it tarry, wait for it”
- It may seem to take a long time…if not too long…but WAIT ON IT!!!!
- The vision is worth the wait!
- Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
- It may seem to take a long time…if not too long…but WAIT ON IT!!!!
- “it will surely come, it will not tarry”
- When it does come, it will come quickly! Be ready!
- 1 Corinthians 15:52, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
- As the old hymn says,
- When it does come, it will come quickly! Be ready!
- “the vision is yet for an appointed time”
- “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Be ready when He comes
Be ready when He comes
Be ready when He comes
He’s coming again so soon
Be singing when He comes!
Be praying when He comes!
Be preaching when He comes!
Be moaning when He comes!
Be loving when He comes!
Be giving when He comes!
Be working when He comes!
He’s coming again so soon!
- Remember what the Apostle John said in John 14:19, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”
- THE VISION IS YET TO COME!!!
