Greetings to you all greatly beloved of God and welcome to another episode of our study of the Scriptures. We bless the name of the Lord God for His many blessings over us. Praise be to God!
In our today’s episode 622, we shall be examining the book of Zephaniah titled:
The Day Of The Lord Is Imminent, A Plea For Repentance
According to Chapter 1:1, the book was written by Prophet Zephaniah himself and looking at the Hebrew meaning of his name, it means “defended by God.”
The book of Zephaniah was written during the reign of King Josiah, during the period between 635 and 625 BC. Some Bible Scholars opined that it was written probably in the decade before King Josiah’s religious reforms that happened around 621 BC.
Reading through the book, we will find out that Zephaniah’s message revolves around the following points:
1. That God is sovereign over all nations.
2. That the wicked will be judged and punished while the righteous will be vindicated and rewarded on the day of judgment.
3. That God redeems and blesses those who repent and trust in Him.
The prophet opens chapter 1 with the pronouncement of judgement against the workers of iniquity in Judah and Jerusalem. We will see this in verses 1-3
Just like other prophets have done in our previous studies, Zephaniah also pronounced judgement on other nations sacrificing and making oath at the altar of Molech (1:5). He bluntly told the people that the judgement of God is coming upon wicked people and he referred to that day as the Day of the Lord – The Day of judgement. Read verses 4-18.
Yes, our God is a merciful God, generous and caring, but then, whenever He warns us of evil, we must not ignore His warnings so as not to face terrible consequences. To register these warnings in the heart of the people, that was why the prophet repeatedly mentioned the Day of the Lord and all the things that would happen on that day.
Having pronounced judgement in Chapter 1, he then went further in Chapter 2 to plead for them to repent to forestall the judgement. Read Zephaniah 2:1-3.
Thereafter, he then predicts the future doom of other adjoining but hostile nations such as:
1. The Philistines, Zephaniah 2:4-7.
2. The Moabites and Ammonites, Zephaniah 2:8-11.
3. Ethiopians, Zephaniah 2:12.
4. The Assyrians, Zephaniah 2:13.
Towards the end of chapter 2, he pronounced judgement against Nineveh too for their iniquity (we have dealt with this in our previous episodes).
At the beginning of chapter 3, judgement was pronounced upon Jerusalem, some treacherous prophets and perverted priest who were twisting the law to lead the people astray without feeling ashamed of their actions. Verses 1-4
But then, the Bible talks about how God would finally rescue His people from their deceit and bring them justice. Verse 5.
According to verses 9-13, the Lord God promises to carry out a pruning exercise on all nations, where only the redeemed will remain. They will no longer do wrong, they will have a smooth relationship with God, pray to Him only, and they will be prosperous and not be afraid.
This is the kind of freedom that Christ brings to everyone that believes, repents and forsake their evil ways.
Verses 14-20 of chapter 3 were figuratively referring to the events that would happen during the Second Coming of Christ.
Verse 15 is typically what Christ came to do.
The Bible says He took our punishment and died for our sins that we may have life in abundance. Please read Zephaniah 3:15 and John 3:16.
This is the Good News we need to spread for the people to know about because many people unfortunately have not yet realized this truth, not even the Israelites – they are still expecting their own Messiah. Please read Romans 11:25-27.
Jesus Christ is coming back again to establish His Kingdom finally and fully on earth – the New Jerusalem according to Revelation 21. At that time, all God’s promises to Israel and every other nation will be fulfilled.
To be continued…stay tuned and stay blessed.
Let’s pray:
I declare that the revelation knowledge of God will continue to flow freely unhindered in your life. Every barrier is broken before you. The Lord God is opening doors of breakthrough for you in every area you need His intervention, in Jesus name.
I declare no one reading this message will become a victim of sickness, poverty, and disappointments, in Jesus name.
Every good thing you have been looking up to God in fasting and prayers to have in your life and family, begin to receive their physical manifestations right now, in Jesus name.
Bible Readings For Today: Revelation Chapters 7, 8, 9 & 10 with Isaiah 59 – 60
I call you blessed now and always.
Tuesday December 22, 2020 (DDMI)
