EARTH WILL BE FILLED

Hab.2:14 – For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

I love this prophetic word from the Prophet Habakkuk. He declares that the earth will be filled with the ‘knowledge’ of the glory of the Lord. The word knowledge comes from a beautiful Hebrew word yada. It is defined as knowledge by personal experience. Habakkuk is declaring that the whole earth will have a personal knowledge of God’s glory. Of course this does not mean that everyone on earth will embrace God for themselves, he is just saying that everyone will see for themselves the power of God whether it is in salvation or in His judgement and justice. Habakkuk describes the fact that the whole earth will see the justice of God in the overthrow of Babylon. This happened once before when Babylon was defeated by the Medo- Persian Empire, it will happen again when this world system known as Babylon will be totally destroyed. Here is how Matthew Henry describes this word.

“The honor of God, as a God of impartial justice and irresistible power, for by the ruin of the Babylonian monarchy — which the whole world had to take notice of — the earth was filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD. The LORD is known by these judgments which he executes, especially when he looks upon proud men and abases them, for he proves himself to be God alone. Notice what good God brings out of the staining and sinking of earthly glory; he reveals and exalts his own glory and fills the earth with the knowledge of it as plentifully as the waters cover the sea, which lie deep, spread far, and will not be dried up until the end of time. Such is the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ given by the Gospel, and such was the knowledge of his glory conveyed by the miraculous destruction of Babylon. Those who will not be taught the knowledge of God’s glory by the judgments of his mouth will be made to know and acknowledge it by the judgments of his hand.”

I love the other application of this prophesy, the Holy Spirit will be poured out in the whole world in the last days. Every person in every nation and age group will have the opportunity to embrace the Lord and taste His glory. Those who reject Him will experience His glory displayed in His justice and judgement. The way to avoid that is to turn to Jesus and accept His love displayed for you at the cross and poured out on whosoever will call upon His name through the Holy Spirit.