There will come an end to the age of Grace. We will be united in the family of Christ gathered together into one body.
Daniel 8:19 And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be.
Daniel 10:14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
11 Peter:1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
For New Testament believers today, God restores our relationship with Him through our faith in Jesus, the "one shepherd" from King David's lineage who was promised in Ezekiel 34:23-24. Through both the Old Testament and the New Testament fulfillments of God's promises in Ezekiel 34, we see that God's care for His children is cultivated through relationship with Him.
There is nowhere on earth that His love cannot find us (Psalm 139:7-12).
Where else can we find such faithful love that seeks us until we are found? Who else can provide everything we need all the days of our lives? Only our God can fulfill these promises, friend. Let's hold on to Him.
Although Ezekiel first spoke directly to the Israelites, scholars agree that his prophecy also refers to the New Testament flock: the global Church, an eternal community of people brought together by faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. God has been gathering His flock through all generations, and now, through faith in Christ's work on the cross, anyone can join God's flock (1 Peter 3:18). Today, we are scattered across the world. Yet one day, God will gather His entire flock of believers to care for us in heavenly pastures forever (Revelation 21:3-4). First5
Ephesians 3:20-21. "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we can ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.” Amen.
Habakkuk 2:1–3
2 I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 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. 4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. The New King James Version
Watchmen were stationed at the highest part of a city wall to warn of impending danger. As watchmen, prophets were to communicate the divine message to the people.
The fulfillment of the prophecy of Habakkuk 1:5–11 would take at least 20 years, depending on the date of Habakkuk’s ministry. During this wait, many scoffers would arise, questioning the authenticity of the prophet’s vision.
Yahweh’s encouragement is to wait in patience and faith. The soul of the haughty Babylonians is not right in God’s eyes. They will soon experience divine judgment. Righteous people are commanded to live by faith; they must practice obedience and trust that Yahweh will remain faithful to His covenantal promises. Faithlife Study Bible
Habakkuk stationed himself as a watchman to look at the nations, as God had commanded him. The prophet also waited expectantly for God’s response.
Habakkuk’s faith is seen in his anticipation of a response from God. The command to write the revelation is unusual. Generally prophets spoke the word of the Lord first. The noun speaks of a prophetic revelation. Messengers would proclaim the divine oracle.
An appointed time speaks of a determined time in God’s eyes. God knows His plan and the outworking of all things in accordance with His purposes. The godly are responsible to study and proclaim His revelation while awaiting its fulfillment. The assurance of fulfillment lies in God Himself.
The fulfillment of the vision would not take any longer than God had planned.
The proud refers to the Babylonians, who exalted themselves and boasted of their conquests and power. The Babylonians had no regard for God, His commandments, or His people.
True righteousness before God is linked to genuine faith in God. A proud person relies on self, power, position, and accomplishment; a righteous person relies on the Lord. The NKJV Study Bible
When tossed and perplexed with doubts about the methods of Providence, we must watch against temptations to be impatient. When we have poured out complaints and requests before God, we must observe the answers God gives by his word, his Spirit, and providences; what the Lord will say to our case.
God will not disappoint the believing expectations of those who wait to hear what he will say unto them. All are concerned in the truths of God’s word. Though the promised favour be deferred long, it will come at last, and abundantly recompense us for waiting.
The humble, broken-hearted, repenting sinner, alone seeks to obtain an interest in this salvation. He will rest his soul on the promise, and on Christ, in and through whom it is given. Thus he walks and works, as well as lives by faith, perseveres to the end, and is exalted to glory; while those who distrust or despise God’s all-sufficiency will not walk uprightly with him. The just shall live by faith in these precious promises, while the performance of them is deferred. Only those made just by faith, shall live, shall be happy here and for ever. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Hebrews 10:36–38
For you have need of endurance,
so that after you have done the will of God,
you may receive the promise:
“For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”
Psalm 85:8
I will hear what God the LORD will speak,
For He will speak peace
To His people and to His saints
But let them not turn back to folly.
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