Habakkuk 2:3

An appointed time. Literally, “the appointed time.” The vision will be fulfilled in due time (see Gal. 4:4). Shall speak. From the Heb. puach, “to breathe,” “to blow.” The clause may be translated, “it panteth [that is, hasteneth] to tire end.” Though it tarry. For the last clause the LXX reads, “Though he should tarry, wait for him; for he will surely come and will not tarry.” According to the reading of the Hebrew, even though the fulfillment of the vision concerning the coming of the Chaldean conquerors should seem to be delayed, in due course it would be fulfilled. According to the reading of the LXX the idea seems to be that even though the enemy should seem to tarry, he would surely come as predicted. The reading of the LXX is alluded to in Heb. 10:37 and the words, along with a phrase from the LXX of Isa. 26:20, are applied to the second advent of our Lord. The prophecy of Hab. 2:1-4 was a source of great encouragement and comfort to the early Advent believers, known as Millerites. When the Lord did not appear in the spring of 1844 as at first expected, the Millerites were thrown into deep perplexity. It was shortly after the initial disappointment that they saw special significance in the words of the prophet, “The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it.” They rested “upon the language of prophet” (IT 52) and went forth to proclaim the midnight cry, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him” (Matt. 25:6; see GC 392).