Isaiah 14 is one of the better-known Bible prophecy chapters in the Bible. The chapter describes the fall of the end time king of Babylon (the Antichrist) from power. Few people realize that Isaiah 14 is a chapter that also relates to Habakkuk 2. In this article, I will discuss Habakkuk 2 and how it relates to Isaiah 14.
Habakkuk 2 Overview
Habakkuk 2 is an intriguing chapter because it appears to have some relevance to the end times as verse 3 states that the vision shall speak at “the end”:
“(2) And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (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.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3)
Habakkuk 2 is also an interesting chapter because it references an individual, but does not provide the name of the individual. However, several Bible commentators, including Keil & Delitzsch and Albert Barnes, believe that Habakkuk 2 concerns the Chaldaean/king of Babylon. Barnes specifically mentioned in his notes on Habakkuk 2:5 that the prophecy concerns the Antichrist.
“This general rule the prophet goes on to apply in words which belong in part to all oppressors and in the first instance to the Chaldaean, in part yet more fully to the end and to antichrist”.
What really stands out about Habakkuk 2 is that there are several verses in the chapter that parallel Isaiah 14; a chapter that many people believe is a chapter about the end times king of Babylon’s/Antichrist’s downfall. Here are some examples of the similarities between Habakkuk 2 and Isaiah 14:
An Arrogant Leader
Habakkuk 2:5 describes the unnamed individual as a “proud man”. Isaiah 14:13-14 describes the king of Babylon as an extremely arrogant individual:
“Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:” (Habakkuk 2:5)
“(13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14)
Taking Up a Proverb
Habakkuk 2:6 suggests that a taunting proverb should be taken up against this unnamed individual. Isaiah 14:4 suggests that a proverb shall be taken up against the king of Babylon after his downfall:
“Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!” (Habakkuk 2:6)
“That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!” (Isaiah 14:4)
Responsible for Much Violence
Habakkuk 2:8 mentions that this unnamed individual spoiled many nations and inflicted a lot violence “on the land”. According to the Strong Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries, the Hebrew word for the word “land” is “erets”, which means “earth”.[1]
Isaiah 14:16-17 mentions that the king of Babylon inflicted violence on the earth also.
“Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.” (Habakkuk 2:8)
“(16) They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; (17) That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” (Isaiah 14:16-17)
I believe these parallels serve as strong evidence that Habakkuk 2 is talking about the end time king of Babylon like Isaiah 14 talks about him. Furthermore, I believe Habakkuk 2 can help us to understand what is going on in Jeremiah 50, Jeremiah 51, and other related chapters/verses. For instance, Jeremiah 50 and Jeremiah 51 predict that Babylon will be spoiled:
“And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 50:10)
“Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 51:48)
Habakkuk 2:8 suggests that this unnamed individual- the end times king of Babylon based on the parallels between Habakkuk 2 and Isaiah 14-will be spoiled by “the remnant of the people” because this individual has spoiled many nations and inflicted a lot of violence on the earth.
“Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.” (Habakkuk 2:8)
Also, the idea that this unnamed individual will inflict a lot of violence on the earth may help explain why Babylon has the reputation of being “hammer of the whole earth”.
“How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!” (Jeremiah 50:23)
I hope you found this article informative. You can learn more about the Antichrist by reading my article on the characteristics to look for in the Antichrist.
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Note
- H776 ‘erets. Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries: G1909 ↩
for of all the northern lights in gods one symbolic planet of earth for man, the seventh head of the kingdoms of the seven mountain chains the seventh head of the dragon is also the eigth and first of the same being the beast ….. it is not the end …it is the beginning of the old with something new. He is with the old kings that. were Gods in those days. NEBU not nero. Similar to NIMROD: For what man is expiramenting with like CERN it doesnt make me wonder why.
http://www.tedmontgomery.com/bblovrvw/emails/Assyrian.html
Now, in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament, there is a reference to Gog, indicating that he will be the king of a “swarm of locusts”:
Thus the Lord showed me, and behold a swarm of locusts were coming, and, behold, one of the young devastating locusts was Gog, the King. (Amos 7:1)
Literal locust insects do not have a leader or “king” (Proverbs 30:27). So this very well may be referring to a demon host, indicating that Gog, leading the armies in the Ezekiel 38 & 39 prophecy, will be a demonic being or fallen angel. This seems credible, knowing also that Gog will return 1,000 years later, as seen in John’s vision (Revelation 20:7,8). Furthermore, it is possible (I believe probable) that this demon, “Gog,” will possess or inhabit two different men, over 1,000 years apart, to lead armies against Jerusalem. The first (human) leader will die and be buried (Ezekiel 39:11), while the second one will be devoured by fire coming down from heaven (Revelation 20:9).
A swarm of demonic locusts is seen to come out of the Abyss during the Fifth Trumpet Judgment (Revelation 9:1-3), which I feel will take place for five months (9:5,10) during the seventh year of the 70th Week. The angel Abaddon (the Destroyer) is described as the king over them (9:11). Conceivably, then, Abaddon, the king angel of the Abyss, could be Gog (or perhaps a fallen angel in command of Gog).
Considering all of this, I am not at all convinced that “the Assyrian,” as written about by the ancient prophets, will be the same person as the end-time Antichrist; rather, I believe that the Assyrian will be Gog. Thus, by no means am I convinced that the Antichrist must emerge from the Middle East, specifically from the region in and around Syria, although Gog probably will emerge from this region.
http://www.antipasministries.com/html/file0000397.htm
This person has understood it.
“THERE ARE SEVEN KINGS” …
I strongly disagree with you, but you’re entitled to your opinion.
Antichrist is the person mentioned in Habakkuk 2.
He is the king of endtime babylon- USA.
He will be GeOrGe neBUSHadnezzar,the beast that returns as number 8 i revelation 17.It will happen when the war with iran starts in the end of this year.
Interesting possibilities you present. I’ll consider them when I examine these passages and others. Thanks for sharing
Not directly related to the Habakkuk parallel, but you might find Russ Dizdar’s new series for this week of interest. “http://www.controlledminds.com/files/” (gives the mp3 list, go to parent to see study page)
I found the following notable in your article:
A. “WILDERNESS”
Isaiah 14 (where “wilderness” relates to destruction of the cities plural)
17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
Revelation 12
6 And
the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of
God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
14 And
to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly
into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time,
and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Since the “woman laboring” in Rev. 12 (heavenly mother, likely heavenly Jerusalem or Jerusalem above) then doesn’t just sojourn in one place like Petra — but possibly anywhere the world is “wilderness.” (meaning possibly multiple places globally — as extensions or “daughters” of Heavenly Jerusalem)
B. “HEAPS”
Also Habakkuk 2 (Hab.2 “heaps of people” = Rev. 17 “mountains … of waters”)
5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
Revelation 17
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Which supports mystery babylon as a spanning the globe, (with primary instance as great babylon in antichrist jerusalem).