A Misquoted Prophecy by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 7, 1884

A Misquoted Prophecy.

By Editor

THE Bible cannot be improved by all the wisdom of the world. Sometimes by changing its terms it seems better to express the idea desired to be conveyed by the one using it; and it is often supposed that such is the true idea of the text. But it will be found in all such cases that the unity of design, so beautifully shown in the sacred book, has been violated by the change.

There is an expression in the prophecy of Habakkuk which is almost invariably misquoted. Indeed we cannot remember when we saw it quoted correctly. But recently we received an article from one of our own brethren in which it was misquoted, and we then decided to call special attention to it.

Habakkuk 2:1-4 is a second advent message. Of this any one must at once be convinced on comparing it with Paul's words in the letter to the Hebrews. Read chap. 9:28; 10:25, 35-39. The apostle introduces Christ's second appearing; exhorts those who see the day approaching; and then quotes from Habakkuk 2, applying the vision to the coming of Christ. The prophet was directed to "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."

But it is always quoted as being written so plainly that "he that runs may read." The idea thus conveyed is that it is to be made so plain that a person who is running may read it; he need not stop to look at it; he may read it as he runs.

But read in that manner the importance of the vision is entirely shut out of sight. "Make it plain upon tables, that he may run who readeth it." The vision contains something urgent and startling. Paul gives it thus: "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Again, Paul to the Thessalonians connects the coming of Christ with the coming of "the day of the Lord," and Joel says when the day of the Lord is near, an alarm shall be sounded, the inhabitants of the land are called upon to tremble. Joel 2:1, 2. The message of Christ's coming is an important one; it requires action (See Rev. 14:9-14); it admits of no delay. And the message of Habakkuk is to make it plain on tables—easily seen and understood—"that he may run who readeth it;" that he may start at once.

Now consider how tame the expression is made by rendering it—"that he who runs may read." According to this version he is running on his own errand, and casually reads as he runs; according to the words of the prophet he is not running at all until he sees the message; then he starts, runs, as the urgency of the message requires.

Is it not a pity that any Adventist minister should misquote this passage, and thereby hide the intent of the prophecy? Brethren, read the texts you quote. If they differ from your former ideas, study them thoroughly before you use them.