Zephania... Day of the Lord

Like all prophets, the Book of Zephaniah warned the people. Honestly, reading these books may be discouraging. It feels like Israel is constantly in trouble, and it is so easy to get caught up in the judgments and consequences.

The Warning

Israel would get wrapped up in idol worship and drift away from God. Once again, He would send His prophet to turn them away from their sinfulness.

Zephaniah 1:12 (MEV)

At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,

and I will punish the men

who are settled on their lees,

who say in their heart,

“The Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil.”

His warning was that they had grown complacent toward God. Zephaniah’s purpose was to motivate them to repent and return to God. He would try to save them out of His incredible grace and mercy. Judgement isn’t what He wants. He wants all to be saved! He wants to fight for you, not against you.

Zephaniah 3:16–17 (MEV)

On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:

Fear not, O Zion;

let not your hands be slack.

The Lord your God is in your midst,

a Mighty One, who will save.

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will renew you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

Who He Is

Deuteronomy 7:21 (MEV)

You must not be frightened of them, for the Lord your God is among you, a great and awesome God.

Psalm 9:10 (MEV)

Those who know Your name will put their trust in You,

for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Zephaniah 2:3 (MEV)

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,

who carry out His judgment.

Seek righteousness, seek humility.

Perhaps you will be hidden

on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Interestingly, Zephaniah's name means “to hide.” Perhaps you will be HIDDEN on that Day of the Lord. His message: seek the Lord! There was judgment coming. Israel was fixed on being taken captive by the Babylonians (605-586 BC). Zephaniah also refers to the DAY OF THE LORD. This is not the rapture that you and I are waiting for. It is the second coming of Jesus. It is Armageddon. It is that great day at the end of seven years of tribulation.

Zephaniah did not have the privilege of having John’s letter “Revelation,” as we do. He may not have fully understood everything that is coming. Our picture is a little clearer: Jesus is coming back. First, He will take those who believe in the church's rapture.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (MEV)

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Get ready; He is coming. See, the message hasn’t changed… Repent and return to God. Jesus is our only hope. It is His hope to hide us in His presence and see us saved.

2 Peter 3:8–13 (MEV)

But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness. But He is patient with us, because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat. The earth also and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things are to be destroyed, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, while you are waiting for and desiring the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will be consumed by intense heat? But, according to His promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Whether it is the rapture or that great day of the Lord, He loves you and is fighting for you! Repent and return to Him today!