A Revelation for All Time Habakkuk 2:1-5 Key Word: Faith August 4, 2013

Habakkuk 2:1-5 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. And the Lord answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. "Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples."

Theme: “God is sovereign in all of history and God is trustworthy in all of life.” 1. Write God’s Vision (2:1-3) A. Watching (v.1) B. Writing (v. 2) C. Waiting (v. 3) 2. Trust God’s Word (2:4-5) A. Contrasting (v.4-5)

1. Write God’s Vision (2:1-3) I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. [ or as the NASB says, And how I may reply when I am reproved. ] Ezekiel 3: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 18 If I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

2:2-3 And the Lord answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Key: When you and I behold the glory of God and believe the Word of God, he grants you the faith to accept the will of God.

What do we know about Vision? 1.Permanent 2.Plain and Public “…but write, he says, so that he who runs may read, and that though he may be inattentive, he may yet see what is written; for the tablet itself will plainly show what it contains.” Calvin, The Twelve Minor Prophets, p Proclaimed

What is the providence of God? “God, the creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest event to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness and mercy.” Westminster Confession, v:1

2. Trust God’s Word (2:4-5) "Behold, his soul [the proud person] is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. "Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples."

Two Kinds of People-Two Destinies There are only two kinds of people: the proud and the righteous by faith. "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power for the honor of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30, NKJV) What does pride do to people? – Twists them inwardly – Makes people restless – Makes a person greedy

What is justification? “Justification is the gracious act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous and gives that believing sinner a perfect standing in Jesus Christ.” Bible Exposition Commentary – Good works amount to nothing – Religious effort amounts to nothing – Religious ethnicity will not save you

The message of Habakkuk – All things will eventually be set right by God. – He will deal appropriately with the wicked and the righteous. – God will do it in his own way and his own time. – The success of the wicked is fleeting and short- lived. Ps. 73:26 - My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Closing Questions 1.There are only two groups of people: the puffed up with pride and the righteous. In which group do you belong? 2.Are you the proud who continue to reject God’s grace, or are you the righteous having come to the cross in order to find the righteousness of Christ by faith? 3.How will you stand before God if you died today? That’s why this passage, and especially verse four is a revelation for all time…and for eternity.