Habakkuk 3:13b-The Lord Jesus Christ Will Kill the Antichrist at His Second Advent

Habakkuk 3:13 You will certainly march out in order to deliver Your people. Specifically, for the deliverance of Your anointed one. You will certainly strike the leader from a house composed of wicked people by laying him open from head to foot. (My translation)

As we noted in our study of Habakkuk 3:3-12, Habakkuk 3:3-19 is a prayer which the prophet Habakkuk offered up to the God of Israel, which he directed to be sung in the temple as part of the worship of the God of Israel.

We also noted in verses 3-12 that Habakkuk 3:3-15 is not only poetic but also prophetic referring to the events of the seventieth week and Second Advent of Jesus Christ.

They are also alluding to the mighty acts of God which He performed on behalf of the nation of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament.

As we also noted in detail in our study of Habakkuk 3:3, I adhere to the eschatological interpretation of Habakkuk 3:3-15 in the sense that I interpret these verses as being fulfilled in the future during the seventieth week of Daniel and the Second Advent of Christ.

Habakkuk 3:13 contains four more poetic, prophetic statements.

The first two describe the Lord Jesus Christ delivering regenerate Jews from Satan and the fallen angels, the Antichrist and the false prophet and the Gentile armies who will exist on the earth during the tribulation portion of the seventieth week at His Second Advent.

The last two prophetic statements describe in graphic terms the Lord Jesus Christ killing the Antichrist at His Second Advent.

There is nothing in Old Testament history which corresponds to these four statements.

However, they do correspond to the prophecies in both the Old and New Testament concerning the Lord Jesus Christ delivering regenerate Israel from Antichrist at His Second Advent.

The first statement in Habakkuk 3:13 asserts that the Lord Jesus Christ will certainly march out in order to deliver His people.

Zechariah 12 and 14, as well as Revelation 19:11-20:6 teach that the Lord Jesus Christ will deliver regenerate Israel at His Second Advent from Satan and the fallen angels, the Antichrist, the false prophet and the unregenerate Gentile armies of the tribulation at His Second Advent.

Now, the third prophetic statement recorded in Habakkuk 3:13 asserts that the Lord Jesus Christ will certainly strike the leader originating from a house composed of wicked people.

This striking refers to the fact that the Lord will physically attack the Antichrist so as to cause the latter’s death.

The noun rō(ʾ)š (רֹאשׁ), “the leader” is the Antichrist, which is supported by the fact that I adhere to the eschatological interpretation of Habakkuk 3:3-15 and is thus prophetic of the seventieth week of Daniel and the Second Advent of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, the Antichrist will be head of a ten nation European Confederacy which will be the final stage of the Roman Empire during the seventieth week and Second Advent of Jesus Christ (cf. Dan. 2:34, 40-45; 7:8, 13-14, 19-26; Rev. 13; 2 Thess. 2:7-9).

Thirdly, the second and third prophetic statements here in Habakkuk 3:15 speak of the Lord killing this leader and Revelation 19:20-21 asserts that He will kill the Antichrist at His Second Advent.

The noun bǎ·yiṯ (בַּיִת), “a house” refers to the house of Satan or the empire which Satan has built which opposes God.

It speaks of a race of moral rational creatures and specifically human beings who originate from Satan who are thus children of the devil (cf. John 8:44).

The adjective rā·šāʿ (רָשָׁע), “wicked people” refers to unregenerate humanity who are children of the devil.

The fourth prophetic statement asserts that the Lord Jesus Christ will lay open the body of this leader from the house composed of wicked people from head to foot.

It serves to explain the third prophetic statement in that it describes how the Lord will kill him.

Therefore, the fourth prophetic statement is explaining how the Lord Jesus Christ will kill the Antichrist, namely by laying bare the organs of the body of the Antichrist from head to foot in the sense of exposing his organs.

Habakkuk 3:13 concludes with the interjection sě·lā(h) (סֶלָה), “Selah.”

This is the third and final time in the book of Habakkuk that this word appears (cf. 3:3, 9).

Habakkuk 3:3 God will travel form Teman. Then, the Holy One will travel from Mount Paran. Selah. His majesty will cover the heavens so that His praise will certainly fill the earth. (My translation)

Habakkuk 3:9 Your bow will be removed from its sheath. Your arrows swore oaths to uphold Your command. Selah. You will cause the earth to be split open with rivers. (My translation)

Here in Habakkuk 3:13, the interjection sě·lā(h) (סֶלָה), “Selah” is calling the hearer or reader to pause and meditate upon these four prophetic statements in this verse.

One of the most important aspects in listening to God in prayer is biblical meditation.

Unfortunately, today when we hear the term “meditation,” we associate it with Eastern religion.

The word has been virtually removed from Christian vocabulary, and yet, it is such a vital part of our spiritual life.

Biblical meditation is an expression of rejecting self-sufficiency in favor of the sufficiency of God’s Word.

It is superior to cosmic meditation by virtue of the object of meditation.

Cosmic meditation has no object, but seeks to empty the mind, whereas, biblical meditation has an object, the Bible, and seeks to fill the mind.

Biblical meditation involves repetitive, reflective, and reverential reading of the Word of God and making application to one’s own life.

Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary defines the verb meditate: (1) to consider as something to be done or effected; intend, purpose; (2) to engage in thought or contemplation, reflect.

Meditation is defined as, “the act of focusing one’s thoughts, thus, to ponder, think about.”

It consists of reflective thinking or contemplation, usually on a specific subject to discern its meaning, significance, or plan of action.

Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (NASB95)

J.I. Packer gives the following definition of meditation in his book, Knowing God: “Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways, and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God. Its purpose is to clear one’s mental and spiritual vision of God, and to let His truth make its full and proper impact on one’s mind and heart. It is a matter of talking to oneself about God and oneself; it is, indeed, often a matter of arguing with oneself, reasoning oneself out of moods of doubt and unbelief into a clear apprehension of God’s power and grace. Its effect is to ever humble us as we contemplate God’s greatness and glory, and our own littleness and sinfulness, and to encourage and reassure us—“comfort” us in the old, strong Bible sense of the word—as we contemplate the unsearchable riches of divine mercy displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ.”[1]

Psalm 119:15 I will meditate on Your precepts [piqqudhim, meaning, “commands, ordinances”] and regard Your ways. (NASB95)

Psalm 119:27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts, so I will meditate on Your wonders [verb, pala, meaning, “wonderful extraordinary works upon the earth and in the lives of men and women”]. (NASB95)

Psalm 119:48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love; And I will meditate on Your statutes. (NASB95)

Psalm 119:148 My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word [noun, `imrah, meaning, “divine authoritative word”]. (NASB95)

Biblical meditation consists of reflective thinking or contemplation on the Word of God in order to discern its meaning and make personal application.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things exist eternally in a state of being true in character, whatever things exist eternally in a state of being noble in character, whatever things exist eternally in a state of being righteous in character, whatever things exist eternally in a state of being pure in character, whatever things exist eternally in a state of being lovely in character, whatever things exist eternally in a state of being admirable in character, 8b if, and let us assume for the sake of argument, there exists eternally anything in a state of being virtuous in character…and we agree that there is, and if, and let us assume for the sake of argument, there exists eternally anything in a state of being praiseworthy in character…and we agree that there is, then from now on, make it a habit of meditating upon these things. 9 Concerning which things, all of you both learned through instruction, yes, and all of you accepted as well, all of you both heard, yes, and all of you observed as well in my presence, from now on make it a habit of practicing these things and, as a result, God the Holy Spirit, who produces a peace that is divine in nature, will, as a spiritual truth, be among all of you. (My translation)

[1] J.I. Packer, 23