Habakkuk 2:20

"But Jehovah is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."

This, of course, is the most widely known and quoted verse in the whole prophecy of Habakkuk, being usually utilized to induce quiet upon religious assemblies and to inspire reverence at religious services and in places of assembly. Much more, however, is inherent in this magnificent passage. The "temple of God" in view here is no mere house of worship. The place of the Lord's residence or "being" is heaven (Isaiah 26:21; Psalms 11:4; Jonah 2:7; Micah 1:2). "God reigns in heaven, and fills heaven."[42] God's holy temple, therefore, "is not the shrine in Jerusalem, but heaven itself."[43] The dramatic meaning of all this is simply that God has not abandoned his creation; he still sits upon the throne of universal authority and power; he is the Almighty God, and the indecent and scandalous behaviour of apostate powers constructed by rebellious and wicked men, such as that of Babylon, will rage from time to time, but only under the permissive will of Him who is all, and in all, and above all; and those who trust in the true God and strive humbly to do his will may rest in the serene assurance that their reward with God is safe.

"Let all the earth keep silence before him ..." All of the noise made by sinful and rebellious men will eventually subside. God will speak from the Throne on High at the appointed time, and all nations shall assemble before Him for the Judgment of the Great Day. And at that moment, all the world will fulfil the commandment uttered here. "No other attitude is proper but to keep silence, whether in submissive, patient faith, or in speechless terror."[44]

That occasion will be the one mentioned in Revelation, "For the great day of his wrath has come, and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:17).